- Read the relevent posts in the old MIMF Archive
- Tried a single wood BWBW purfling ready made. (I think this is all maple, the black is dyed)
- Tried two pieces of BW purfling (likewise all maple)
- Tried installing straight pieces without prebending. Actually, this works about the best. It still breaks, but the breaks don't fail completely and with clamps and cawls, I can sorta crush it into place. Still noticeable though.
- Tried pre-bending w/ hot pipe and hand bending.
- Tried pre-bending a male wooden form with channels to support binding and heat gun to supply heat
- Tried pieces wet, damp, light spritz and bone dry
- Tried using a support strap of spring steel
- Tried all 8 fingers to support purfling during bending
One thing I have not tried is single strips of .020" purfling. Another thought is to try .020" fiber sheet instead of wood for the black at least.
I'm pretty committed to wood purflings, but plastic and fiber sheet are looking better all the time.
CB