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Author Topic: cracks after steaming  (Read 7014 times)

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Offline Stixnstones

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cracks after steaming
« on: February 19, 2009, 01:32:28 pm »
got some cracks after steaming running off the back and into the side of the limbs. should linen or silk backing be enough?
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Offline ravenbeak

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2009, 01:34:34 pm »
hmmm.  pics would help
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Offline DanaM

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2009, 01:35:13 pm »
If their running off the sides they could be trouble
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Offline Stixnstones

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2009, 03:28:36 pm »
sorry no pics, the cracks arent showing any depth at the edges sooo...
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Offline Stixnstones

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2009, 03:37:02 pm »
do you think some sort o backing and maybe sinew wrap where the crack meets the edge?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2009, 03:57:22 pm »
A backing might help. The cracks(probably drying checks) should be following the grain so the grain is running off the limb. That can be trouble.  What kind of wood is it?  Stave or board?
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Offline Stixnstones

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2009, 05:01:43 pm »
thick grained osage stave
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Offline Pat B

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2009, 05:20:05 pm »
Was it a split out stave or sawn out?
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Stixnstones

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2009, 05:23:39 pm »
a split
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Offline dragonman

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2009, 05:29:16 pm »
I once got some cracks after steaming recurves into an oak bow, I just filled them up with white wood glue and they didn't cause any trouble, but they didn't seriously run off the sides
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Offline Pat B

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2009, 05:31:35 pm »
I am surprised the crack is running off the stave. I wish you had pics. Was the crack there before you steamed the stave? Maybe you just didn't see it?
   What I would do is fill the crack with super glue  and clamp it until it dries. Then add a temperary wrap around the tag end of the crack. After the bow is done, put a permanent wrap in the place of the temperary wrap and add another wrap on the other limb for ballance.   Pat
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Stixnstones

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2009, 05:36:55 pm »
thanks pat thats exactly what i was thinking,and no the crack wasnt there before steaming,i do know the stave is aboot 10 yrs old
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Offline dismount

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2009, 06:48:09 pm »
I think I know what happened, When you steam a bow you have to start with cold water on a cold bow. Bring both water and wood temp. up at the same time, if you put a cold bow in steaming water, the wood can't handle the sudden temp change and you get god awful cracks. Happened to me.  Dismount
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Offline El Destructo

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2009, 07:55:15 pm »
                          Since it was so Old....might have been better to use Dry Heat and some Grease
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Offline Pappy

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Re: cracks after steaming
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2009, 07:04:31 am »
Was it old Osage,My rule is never steam Osage if it is over 2/3 years old,I only use dry heat,Anything less than 2  I steam first then dry heat,I also seal it with something usually Polly before steaming.I
have had them before but if they are running off the edge that ant good,I would rap them if there aren't to many or back with Rawhide or sinew. :)
   Pappy
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