4 replies to this topic

[Roland]

I know I should simply try this (an I promise I will ) -- but is it best to soak willow linings prior to bending (similar to spruce linings)? Or is better to bend them dry (like ribs)?

Thanks in advance!
Roland

[Conor Russell]

I find that willow linings bend well dry, on a fairly hot iron, and willow cello ribs too. You may get a bit of creasing if the wood is very thick or soft. I saw some creasing like this on a poplar Strad cello at the West Cork Chamber Music festival in Bantry last week.

I had to use very old and brittle purfling in a repair once, and it simbly wouldn't bend without breaking. I found that if I used a strip of wet and dry emery paper as a bending strap, it shrink wrapped itself around the purfling, and got the heat right through. It works so well for any small or brittle parts, including linings, which I don't like to wet at all.

[FiddleDoug]

I've done them by just dipping them in water, rather than letting them soak for any length of time. You want them to dry out during the bending process on the hot iron.

[Roland]

Thanks CRussell & Doug!

[Bob Spear]

I know I should simply try this (an I promise I will ) -- but is it best to soak willow linings prior to bending (similar to spruce linings)? Or is better to bend them dry (like ribs)?

Thanks in advance!
Roland

I use willow all the time. It doesn't always have the straightest grain, and it often has tiny knots due to the growing habit of the tree. Be sure the iron is hot enough to bounce bubbles of water dripped on it. Then just wet the side of the willow that will be pressed against the iron. You can wet both sides, of course, if you are using a stainless steel bending strap. The heat will turn the water to steam, and the steam will be forced into the lining because it doesn't have much chance of going elsewhere. The steam will quickly soften the wood and make it easier to bend. I try to cut my linings as close to finished length as I can, being a frugal guy who doesn't want to cut down and season another tree, but with willow it's always better to let the linings run long. If I crack the lining, nine times out of ten it will be at one end or the other of the center bout liner.