> On Mar 23, 2019, at 12:16 PM, Nichael Cramer  wrote:
> 
> 
> Do you see any problem with using the bands in the "normal" way.


Guitar guys bend wood that was cut in the 50’s/60’s/70’s all the time.  I have
seen figured wood that was cut out of an old table bend just fine.  Once in a
while a piece will misbehave.  Here is a set of what looks like Brazilian
Rosewood that just snapped in the same location for both of the 2 sides

http:
//www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=51738 <http:/
/www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=51738">http://www.luthiersf
orum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=51738>

You may have to register to see the pics, but it is a very good discussion of
using Windex with Ammonia D(straaight ammonia can be dangerous, depending on
concentration), or a product called Supersoft for bending.  What the guitar guys
say is that it is the heat, not the water, that does the work and that the
water(steam) is a way to get the heat into the interior of the wood quickly.
Many guitar guys bend wood at less than 1/10 (.085-.10) of an inch with no
moisture at all, just heat.  Many ways to skin this cat.  Like galoots, ask 10
luthiers a question and you get 11 different answers,

Ed Minchnm