Flexible silicone blanket!

[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 The information about prices is out of date, but everything else applies today.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...

[Mike Pecanic]

Thanks for the info Ken, I ordered mine a couple of days ago...+1 on that hot pipe issue. BTW, I have the paper (and plans) that Borun did on upright basses. He advocated for putting a bend not unlike the back, on the top plate! I don't think I've ever seen a bass with that. Anybody else?
Mike

[Ken McKay]

You are welcome Mike.

My cornerless bass will have a slight bend in the top from about the middle of the upper bout up. It will give a bit more room for playing in thumb position... we'll see. I just finished the top linings and am ready to carve the top.

[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.