Author Topic: Wood steaming?  (Read 2426 times)

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Offline BrokenArrow

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Wood steaming?
« on: September 25, 2014, 11:46:36 am »
I was going to steam a stave of hickory backed jatoba.
Should I shallac it first to keep the moisture out?
What are the benefits of this over having the steam penetrate the wood?

Offline Pat B

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2014, 11:51:42 am »
What glue was used to back the bow? Steam and heat can degrade some glues.
Why are you steaming the bow?
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline BrokenArrow

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2014, 01:29:00 pm »
Smooth on EA 40 mixed 2:1.
I' going to make it shorter (60 inches in length) and I note jatoba is good for steam bending

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2014, 01:57:14 pm »
Sounds risky to me.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline DavidV

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2014, 03:23:45 pm »
That glue is going to let go before you can start bending it.
Springfield, MO

Offline Pat B

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2014, 05:23:28 pm »
If nothing else the glue line will probably prevent the wood form bending and holding the bend.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Pappy

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2014, 07:52:41 am »
Wouldn't do it if it was mine  :)
 Pappy
Clarksville,Tennessee
TwinOaks Bowhunters
Life is Good

Offline DarkSoul

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2014, 08:21:21 am »
I note jatoba is good for steam bending
Where did you read that? I'm pretty sure the opposite is true.
Also, 60" is rather short for a wooden bow. Unless the draw length is kept below 27" or so.
I wouldn't apply heat or steam to a laminated bow. Instead, you could kerf bend the tips, to induce some recurves.
"Sonuit contento nervus ab arcu."
Ovid, Metamorphoses VI-286

Offline BrokenArrow

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Re: Wood steaming?
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2014, 11:55:22 am »
The deed has been done and all is well so far. The Smooth On EA 40 held and it is cooling. Steamed for 2 hours.
I mixed the EA 40 2:1 and it should hold to 217 degrees F and the steam in 211 degrees F. Not much of a margin I admit.
Will post results in a week.