gonna try a boo back erc

[sleek]

First question is, can it ERC heat straighten? If it can, how hard is it to?

Beyond that im not going for help gh poundage. Anywhere between 40-55#@26 with a stiff handle and its 53.5" long. My boo strips arent wide at 3/4" wide. Ill be traping the back to a wider belly. Doing that should I reflex the bow much or try something else?

[Badger]

I would not do it period unless it bent through the handle. Erc is just not that strong. Might be fun to try it though.

[sleek]

So far every erc has literally blown up on me. But I see some get made that are astounding.  Figure im doing something wrong? I will make it a bendy then...

[Danzn Bar]

Was hoping the discussion would go a little further on bending ERC....I'm going to be trying a sinew back recurved ERC.

I assume Badger it is because of the length?

Sleek,
Your first question still hasn't been answered "First question is, can it ERC heat straighten? If it can, how hard is it to?" would like to here more response on this one .....
DBar

[mullet]

My grandson's dad has been shooting one for close to ten years. It is glued in the handle billets, 55#.

And, yes, I've bent ERC with a micro wave.

[TimBo]

Sorry I don't have any first hand experience bending ERC (although I have a cedar stave in my Upcoming Project Pile).  I have seen a couple of posts indicating that steam bending is the way to go, but you can't go too far with it.  It seems that Simon (simson) has done some ERC bending; perhaps he will chime in. 

[wizardgoat]

I got 2 ERC staves online, and steamed in recurves no problem. I roughed them both out pretty green, like I usually do juniper, but they both deflexed on me pretty bad. I made a short unbacked low weight bow just to try it out, and to be honest it seemed a little too light and brittle. It's the 4th juniper species I've worked, and it's my least favorite yet, but maybe it was just the wood I had. I would love to try a sapling or a nice branch

[vinemaplebows]

My grandson's dad has been shooting one for close to ten years. It is glued in the handle billets, 55#.

And, yes, I've bent ERC with a micro wave.

Eddie that the bow I sent you? If so, made from boards as well.

[simson]

I have used steam on ERC successfully. I steamed in recurves here: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,48466.0.html

Boo on erc is here: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,48559.0.html
I think it should be heavy trapped to not overpower the erc. If it is a straight stick (no recurves) I would glue in a good amount of Perry reflex

[mullet]

My grandson's dad has been shooting one for close to ten years. It is glued in the handle billets, 55#.

And, yes, I've bent ERC with a micro wave.

Eddie that the bow I sent you? If so, made from boards as well.

Yep; that's the one. Still shooting strong at 55#.

[DC]

I think it should be heavy trapped to not overpower the erc. If it is a straight stick (no recurves) I would glue in a good amount of Perry reflex

If ERC has to be backed and needs to be heavily trapped for a boo backing why it considered such a good bow wood? What redeeming attributes does it have?

[wizardgoat]

I think it should be heavy trapped to not overpower the erc. If it is a straight stick (no recurves) I would glue in a good amount of Perry reflex

If ERC has to be backed and needs to be heavily trapped for a boo backing why it considered such a good bow wood? What redeeming attributes does it have?

Don, ERC and all junipers are extremely strong in compression, just need a little help with tension.
It's very light as well, and very springy. These are all reason why it's such a great combo with sinew

[wizardgoat]

Plus it's absolutely gorgeous wood, and a treat to work. Smells amazing

[DavidV]

I think it should be heavy trapped to not overpower the erc. If it is a straight stick (no recurves) I would glue in a good amount of Perry reflex

If ERC has to be backed and needs to be heavily trapped for a boo backing why it considered such a good bow wood? What redeeming attributes does it have?

Just because a wood has to be treated differently doesn't mean it's bad bow wood. I could say the same thing about having to chase a growth ring on osage when hickory can take grain runouts like nothing else. ERC makes fast shooting bows if done right

[Badger]

    I like erc in the right application but I think he said his was 3/4" wide? thats pretty narrow for a 53" long bows.