Author Topic: steam bending failing  (Read 1330 times)

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Offline nflbowhunter

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steam bending failing
« on: April 29, 2014, 10:39:10 pm »
Im having trouble steam bending a bow i have steam bended bows before with great success but this bow does not want to straighten I have steamed it for 30 minutes rushed to the tree and it dont do a thing any help or ideas would be great.

Offline mullet

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2014, 11:04:16 pm »
What kind of wood?
Lakeland, Florida
 If you have to pull the trigger, is it really archery?

Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2014, 11:41:06 pm »
I built a Hackberry a while back that would not bend.  I first tried it with a heat gun.  No bueno.  I steamed it later and the tips would take no bend, maybe 1/2 inch at most after repeated attempts.  I finally broke the last 6 inches of the tip off trying to get it to bend.  Cant tell you why.  Other Hackberrys have bent like a wet noodle.  This one was different.  ??
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Offline nflbowhunter

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2014, 11:51:00 pm »
 Not quite sure but I could get a picture of the tree if that would help :-\ and.the bend is In the last 9 inche of the bow

Offline Bryce

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2014, 03:25:44 am »
Boil it.
Clatskanie, Oregon

Offline soy

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2014, 04:23:26 am »
Boil it.



I have had good luck with that as well...how dry is it???
Is this bow making a sickness? or the cure...

Offline bubby

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2014, 04:09:39 pm »
I've been boiling them wrapped in a cotton cloth/rag, it seems to help it retain the heat better
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline BOWMAN53

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2014, 04:27:30 pm »
if its crepe myrtle, it does not like to be bent at all, very stubborn stuff

Offline nflbowhunter

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2014, 12:02:04 am »
the stave had been split and shaped in February and im pretty sure it not crepe myrtle

mikekeswick

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Re: steam bending failing
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2014, 03:42:21 am »
It really is a good idea to ID a tree before you cut it. How do you know it will make a bow?
Then when you don't know something about it people can give you a  meaningful answer!