StewMac Acoustic Guitar Side Bending Machine

StewMac Acoustic Guitar Side Bending Machine

The heart of our Side Bending System, we've created the ultimate machine for bending acoustic guitar sides. Completely redesigned with input from pioneering luthier Charles Fox, bending is now more consistent, predictable, and approachable than ever before.

Consistent bends—every time
Let's face it, bending sides the old fashioned way on a bending iron takes a lot of practice and skill to get smooth curves and a perfect fit. And even when you have the skill to do it, it's not a fast process. With a professional side bender you get consistent, repeatable results build after build—and it's much more beginner friendly than a hot pipe.

Why use a bending machine?
While hot pipe bending has served luthiers well for centuries, it often causes uneven lumps and bumps—requiring significant work to get a smooth profile. And highly figured woods are more susceptible to damage and cracking when bending on a hot pipe. Using a bender is a guaranteed investment in the quality and consistency of your builds, your sides come out perfectly bent with no spring back.

What makes the StewMac Side Bender special?
Open-sided design: Unlike other benders, our bender's open-sided design gives you full access to load your side, no more clumsy maneuvering—and hoping your straps and sides stay aligned. This makes it so easy to get your waist bent exactly where you want with no surprises.

Adjustable waist clamp: Adjustable waist clamp: Our game-changing waist clamp instantly adjusts to any shape, providing perfect pressure exactly where you need it. There's no need for additional jigs when you want to build something new. You can even use your own custom forms with no modification.

Built like a tank: Crafted from extruded aluminum, 13-ply Baltic Birch and featuring an industrial ACME screw press, this bender has zero give and flex. Every part of this bender is professional quality and rigorously tested to perform flawlessly. We made each part to withstand all the heat, pressure, and steam you can throw at it.

When the Bender is paired with our temperature controller, heating blanket, and bending straps (all included in our Side Bending System) you've got ultimate control of your bend from start to finish.

Build different body sizes on the same bender: our one Bender seamlessly adapts to different shapes with instantly swappable body forms. With 8 different interchangeable bending forms (Dreadnought, OM, 000, J-45, and cutaway versions of each) there's nothing holding you back. Want to build a different shape? Just swap in the new forms. You can even use your custom designs on the same Side Bender. Get your bending forms now!

A lifetime tool for your shop
Backed by our unmatched Lifetime Promise, we've built this production tool to be the heart of your shop. We're with you for every build. From your first bent side to your 100th guitar, we've built this bender to work hard for you. If anything ever breaks or wears out, we'll make it right.

Features:

• Super strong aluminum and 13-ply Baltic Birch construction
• Custom clamping shoe contours to any waist shape
• Smooth control with heavy duty ACME screw
• Easily load sides and forms from any direction

Bending cutaways just got easier
This is no one-trick pony! As you build different guitars, the bender can do it all. We've also made a Cutaway Ram and Cutaway Bending Forms that install in seconds with no modifications. The tricky process of bending tight cutaways is now a lot less stressful.

Dimensions:
27" x 12" (685.8mm x 304.8mm)
Max height: 33" (838.2mm)

Introducing the most versatile bending system in the world
This professional Acoustic Guitar Side Bending System has EVERYTHING you need to start bending sides right out of the box. Not a home-built contraption that's been cobbled together, it's a robust luthier-designed machine. We've spent years refining it so you can spend your time building guitars, not jigs!

See why this is the next generation of side benders
From the complete system to temperature control to heating blankets, we've got you covered for all aspects of side bending.
EXPLORE ALL THE OPTIONS