Flexible silicone blanket!

[Bob Branstetter]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

I think. It is a very good idea to put a hardware store timer-shut-off on it so you don't space out and burn down the shop.

I'll second that! I once was using a silicone blanket to warm up a new ebony bass fingerboard prior to gluing it on the neck. I got called away and I forgot to pull the plug. By the time I got back the beautiful AAA fingerboard was burnt, cracked and totally ruined. It was a very expensive lesson for me.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Bob Branstetter

I'll second that! I once was using a silicone blanket to warm up a new ebony bass fingerboard prior to gluing it on the neck. I got called away and I forgot to pull the plug. By the time I got back the beautiful AAA fingerboard was burnt, cracked and totally ruined. It was a very expensive lesson for me.

Bob, about what year was it that you forgot to pull the plug? I remember once while playing in a B'Way show in 1973 forgetting to look up at the conductor for about 20 minutes. Boy was he pissed. Something must have happened that day between the Matinée and Evening performance but it slips my mind at the moment..
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Ken and Bob, I moved this here from the 'Cornerless Bass Thread' where it could get better attention. I hope you don't mind. I have no idea how this topic came up over there but either way, not it has a home of its own..

[Bob Branstetter]

For anyone interested, Dr. George Borun wrote an article for the Southern California Association of Violin Makers Journal in 1992 that discusses using Silicone Heater Blankets. The information about prices is out of date, but everything else applies today. Here is the link to that article.

I'm curious if anyone here uses Silicone Blankets with some kind of device for regulating the heat. I still use the "pull the plug" method to control the heat, but I've always wondered how well the regulators work in practice.

[Ken McKay]

Bob, If you want to see a really smooth way of bending go to http://www.taylorguitars.com/video/f...bending+Part+1



Don't get me wrong now, I love standing over a hot pipe...I get a lot of thinking done there.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Bob, If you want to see a really smooth way of bending go to http://www.taylorguitars.com/video/f...bending+Part+1



Don't get me wrong now, I love standing over a hot pipe...I get a lot of thinking done there.

You guys totally mis-read my post above. back in the '70s, no one stood over a hot pipe. It was more like passing it around..

[Ken McKay]

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH now I get it Yea that would be another reason for a back up timer. Hey better cut it out Mike is listening in and he shouldn't think of his dad this way. You were just kidding about that Right? Right!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH now I get it Yea that would be another reason for a back up timer. Hey better cut it out Mike is listening in and he shouldn't think of his dad this way. You were just kidding about that Right? Right!

Oh yeah.. I was kidding but there were guys back then that might do such a thing. I did see it once back stage I think...

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Bob Branstetter

I'm curious if anyone here uses Silicone Blankets with some kind of device for regulating the heat.

Bob I've been experimenting with a standard electric stove element regulator with my blanket. It has an internal element and thermostat and clicks on - off - on - off as required to keep a temperature. You just have to find the balance point. It doesn't regulate the voltage though. I'm trying it on the next bass.