MIMF

Does anyone have experience bending purpleheart. My first attempt didn't go well.

I use a heating blanket sandwiched with the side and two metal slats. I tried bending it dry at about .110 thick. In attempting to get the wood to relax, I had the blanket cranked up hot enough to scorch the wood. The side ended up cracking in several places.

Next attempt will be to bend it wet and wrapped in foil to hold the steam in. I'd be interested to know if others have had success with purpleheart and if so, what worked best for you.

If bending sides, try a sandwich of wood at about .080" spritzed with water, wrapped in craft paper, wrapped in foil shinny side in, blanket on top, metal slats top and bottom. Bend at 300*ish F .
You might want to watch Grant Golz vid on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jr124qCNkw . I have been using a system very similar to Grant's for about 10 years, but I put the blanket under the top shim rather than over. Works like a charm.

Purpleheart is a bunch of different related species (11 I think) with slightly different characteristics.

I've never tried to bend thicker than .095". .110" seems very thick to me.

Thanks for your replies. I've built a number of guitars but have been away from it for a decade. Now I'm back. It's surprising how much you can forget in that time!

I'll give it another go: thinner, dampened, wrapped in foil. Thanks again.