LOL I can't wait to see this!!!

Yea me too~! Good-bad or ugly I'll post it for sure. DOH

If it's a epic fail I'll just buy a Keller ply shell and call it good.

You're a brave soul, Glenn! Bending my own shell is something I've never even thought of doing. :p

If you're 'going for it,' anyway, why not a set of steam-bent shells for an entire kit!

John

I was going to make the shell out of wood blocks but figured I might as well try the bending first. As I'd prefer a shell like that. All of the pre made shells out there I've seen have been ply shells. Nothing solid maple that I've seen. Unless I'm just missing them. I have almost everything needed to make the steam box. So after I get this kit pretty much wrapped up i'll have a go at it. I'll need to make a few jigs, one to cut the angled scarf joint then the mold itself to bend around. Then practice on some scraps for temp, time and duration. You only have a few minutes to get it bent and clamped. So I need to make a few practice trys to ge the feel for things. I'm still reading a bunch on the subject too. Lots I still need to learn. My son may know a few contacts that would be able to lathe finish the shell for me after. So still a lot of details to iron out.

Glenn - I would think the hardest one to come up with would be the mold/template that you need to wrap the wood around to get the right curvature as it dries/cures. The outside diameter of the mold must produce the correct (in-round) inside diameter of the shell. What do you plan to use as a template/mold for the shell? If you concentrate on making a mold that perfectly round, the steamed wood will take on whatever curvature you put on it. Finished product will be round.

I really hope you try this. I'll be peeking over your shoulder and taking it all in.

John

I have steamed a lot of wood, not as easy as it looks! If you are serious pm me and I will give you my phone no. and I can guide you, to much info for me to type!

John not certain what I'll use for a mold as of yet. It'll be metal hopefully. I have a few old printing press cylinders, various size metal rims etc..... and a few good scrap yards to pick stuff from if needed. Lucky thing would be to use one of those if it's the right size. Worst case would be a solid wood mold. The good thing is I have a few guys that can machine something for me if needed. So I can get it pretty close to perfect roundness. The finishing lathe work i'm still working on but have a few good leads. We only have a small one here my son winds pickups on. Once i have a solid workable plan in place (with a few backup options) I'll proceed.

1 vid I was watching showed the lathe machine both inside and outside dia's of the shell to spec. This would give me some wiggle room on shell size if I can get the same done here. I'll see what I can do.

I also need to find out about cure timeframes related to glueing. The shell supposedly needs to sit a few weeks and cure before it can be put on the lathe. Some glue the scarf joint pretty quickly and clamp it up and some say to wait until the shell cures then glue and clamp. These are the things I need to learn as well.

Lucky thanks I'll take you up on that. Yep I didn't think it would be easy. That's ok I like doing things the hard way and don't mind giving it a go. Even if I fail I'll come away with some knowledge gained. I'll send you a PM thanks!

Here's some cool videos for you buddy:

http://youtu.be/uDsxFTIhAk0

In this one, note the size of the chuck holding the shell... it's HUGE! That's an industrial engine lathe they're using, with a very deep bed way.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6a7YSSBQyQ[/ame]

This guy is using what looks to be a mold for the body of a stringed instrument, but I thought his home-made PVC steamer looked pretty cool. Note the use of the mold.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOIJXDZXB3g[/ame]

Enjoy, Glenn. Hope these help a little.

John

Thanks John. Yes that's the one with the big lathe I was looking at. That would sure come in handy! Interesting the other guy uses PVC for his steambox too. Thanks buddy good stuff here!