Heat treating hackberry

[Dave 55]

I was thinking about making a hackberry flat bow,62 ntn for a 26 inch draw,and was wondering if heat treating the belly would enhance performance or would it just be a good way to break a bow?If heat treating how much,till it changes color?thanks for any replys,Dave.

[snedeker]

It will work well.  Heat it until it just starts to singe then move to another area.  You can come back and add heat to previous area holding gun a little further away (if you're using a gun).  Use some light line or the like to induce some reflex.  It can be made more taught after heating to increase reflex.

Dave

[Dave 55]

Thanks Dave appreciate it.

[sulphur]

the way i do it is to pre-heat the whole limb then scorch it till its browned lightly.  while its still hot i induce 3 inches of reflex.  works really well for me.  btw hack smells great while burning.  found that out the hard way.