Hi Pono---In setting up for ukes I bought a 3x15 Watlow blanket (officially called flexible heaters). It was about $30. I just bought 3 more 3x20s (the minimum order from the supplier) for about $40 each after shipping, and sold two of them to uke buddies. Watlow lists all their sizes on their web page, along with dealers since they don't sell direct. The first dealer I dealt with (in Baltimore) had the 3x15 in stock and was happy to sell me just one. I went to a different dealer (in Pennsylvania) for the 3x20s, and they had to order from Watlow and made me buy three. The 3x20s work for both sopranos and tenors, just let it hang out5" from the rest of the sandwich when when bending. I'd say $30-40 is pretty cheap for the convenience you get. With care, the heaters are good for several hundred sides. You'll also do well to get a contact thermometer. Uke sides are small enough to dry out in a hurry, and once they dry, they crack. I got my thermometer from Stew-Mac, but the magnetic one from LMI looks like the catsass to me. Don't step on it and it should last a lifetime. Again, $30-40 for either of them. In a bit I'll go out to the shop and take a pic of my bender for you. I've already built an improved one for a friend, but I have to save the pix for a magazine story, (Sorry). Allen is right, though. If you want a perfect fit in the mold you'll have to touch up some woods that tend to spring back. But I haven't used a hot pipe for almost 20 years.