I have a fixture that I built some years ago to Mike Orlen's pattern. The base is made of two pieces of 3/4" plywood glued together to give a nominal 1 1/2" thickness. The end piece that creates the bending force is made of 2x4 lumber. I use common bar clamps to provide the force. So far (about 10 years)it has held up very well for my hobby use. I use good quality cooking oil to soak the cotton cloth around the wrist, and heat it until it begins to smoke before trying to bend the stock. After bending, I leave the stock clamped in place until the cloth is cool to the touch before removing the clamp(s). I always get some spring back after the clamps are removed, but have never had any later change.European wood seems to bend with less force than American walnut.
