This first section outlines the course structure and discusses key points. Next, we explore Tom’s set-up, tools, materials, and the 5-Element Side Bending Framework to help you refine your process and techniques for better results and less stress.

In this lesson, you’ll begin the guitar side bending process by focusing on wood preparation. Tom will guide you through the essential steps to get the wood ready for optimal bending, ensuring easier handling and better results. The lesson covers three key phases: cutting the wood to the proper width, achieving the right thickness, and final surface preparation. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to prepare wood for successful side bending, making the entire process more efficient and precise.

In this section of the course, you’ll learn hand-bending techniques using tools like a bending iron or hot pipe. You’ll focus on developing an intuitive understanding of how wood reacts to heat and pressure, learning to “listen” to the feedback from the wood as you bend it. This tactile experience will enhance your sensitivity and skill, which is crucial for both hand-bending and using side-bending machines.

You’ll also explore different bending techniques used by different luthiers, trying different methods to find what works best for you. Tom encourages hands-on practice with scrap wood, emphasizing that the more you bend, the better you’ll become at reading the wood’s responses. By the end of this section, you’ll have a solid grasp of bending methods and a personal approach that feels comfortable and effective for your guitar-building projects.

In this section of the course, you’ll transition from hand-bending techniques to using a side-bending machine. While the process may seem more straightforward with a machine, Tom emphasizes that bending wood is still an art requiring skill and intuition. Building on the foundational knowledge you’ve gained from earlier lessons, you’ll explore the intricacies of two different side-bending machines, learning their unique advantages, limitations, and quirks.

This section aims to develop your confidence and create a consistent system for bending guitar sides with a machine. You’ll learn how to adjust for various challenges and use feedback from the wood—such as sound, resistance, and tempo—even though you’re working through the machine. By comparing and contrasting the two machines, you’ll deepen your understanding of the process, ensuring you’re well-prepared to achieve excellent results with your own workflow.

In this section of the course, Tom Bills provides detailed demonstrations of both an older side bending machine and the new StewMac side bending machine. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how each machine functions, with insights into key adjustments, Tom’s personal modifications, and advanced features like improved clamping and digital temperature control. Whether you’re using the classic or updated version, Tom walks you through the setup process, showing you how to align the wood, adjust the components, and prepare the bending stack for precise, smooth bends.

Emphasizing the importance of sensing the wood’s feedback, Tom also covers how to customize the machines for different guitar body sizes. Through step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to align and position the materials to ensure accuracy and control during the bending process. By the end of the video, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to prepare the wood and execute the bending process effectively, no matter which machine you choose to use.

In this final section of the guitar side bending course, Tom Bills shares valuable insights and practical guidance to help you fully apply the techniques you’ve learned. He revisits the five essential elements of side bending—wood, water, heat, force, and tempo—and demonstrates how this framework can guide you to mastery.

You’ll discover four key ways to use this framework: adjusting your approach during the bending process, diagnosing and fixing issues, tracking your progress through detailed notes, and practicing effectively with scrap wood. Tom highlights the value of intentional practice, encouraging you to make purposeful mistakes to deepen your understanding of the bending process. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be equipped to troubleshoot, enhance your technique, and approach side bending with greater skill and confidence.