Critical temperature for Martin neck binding

[Bob Steinarsson]

Does anybody know the safe temperature of a houshold iron used for straightening a Martin (10 years old) neck with white binding?

[Howard Klepper]

If the truss rod won't do it, take it to a good tech.  Even with the right equipment, heat bending the neck is not very successful.

[Bob Steinarsson]

I have straightened necks using household irons with great success several times. I just want to know how hot the iron can be before there is any danger to the binding. I can of course experiment with scrap binding, but I can't be sure that that is made of the same material as the binding on the Martin.

[Frank Ford]

I'd say it's safe up to about 140F, but any heat will increase chances of it coming loose, shrinking, etc., later on.

[Bob Steinarsson]

Thanks. I will be careful.

[Christopher Parker]

The heat process you're describing is best suited for cheap guitars. It's just not a reliable repair. A Martin deserves to be fixed properly. 

You know, Martins have a lifetime guarantee. If a ten year old guitar already has neck problems, then a warranty repair is justified. FWIW, heating and bending the neck is not how Martin would fix it, and it would be irresponsible for a professional repairman to fix a decent guitar that way. There are far better ways of dealing with the problem.