bending hickory

[swimbill]

tried to bend the tips of a bow this weekend.  it was Hickory- used dry heat from a heat gun, i then bent it over a form.  One tip bent nicely the other cracked.  Since it was a junked bow figured cut off the tips and try again.  Same results one side ( same end) bent nicely the other cracked.  sorry no pictures.  it cracked on the belly side  accros the grain.  any ideas, I am interested in recurving a bow but dont want to keep destroying them
swimbill

[coyote pup]

Hickory loves to do that with recurves. It's best to bend hickory with steam, or boil the tips. And even then, it's a tricky process.

[artcher1]

Steam 'em for sure. Was that the same end that cracked? Could have been the trunk end of the tree which has stiffer/denser wood. ART

[PeteC]

Swimbill,like the others said,definitely boil or steam,and make sure you clamp a piece of metal strap on the belly before you bend.It may still crack a little,but will hold everything together much better.Also,when preparing to bend,leave the area to be bent about 1/8" thicker than the final thickness,and put a coat of shellac on the area you'll be heating.This way,when it cracks,you can remove the damaged wood,and still have plenty to finish your bow with. God Bless