Here is a brief explanation of my method of steam bending static recurve's. First off, I prefer to have at least the portion Im bending to be at one clean ring on the belly and all edges very rounded and smooth. I also prefer both limbs to be on the same ring in that portion, which means they are very close in thickness as well. This way the same steam time and clamp time yield a perfect match tip to tip. If one is thicker than the other, it will not take the same shape. I also prefer to have the bow nicely floor tillered and very close to bracing before I add the statics. Its easier to do a bit of scraping afterwards and then simply short brace the bow as opposed to starting at floor tiller. Besides, its not good to wrench the statics into the ground/floor during the floor tiller stage. My jig is simple as is my "rig" to make steam as you can see. I steamed these while the tips where barely 1" wide by a heavy 1/2" thick. they stayed under the hood for 30 minutes. I don't have a pic of the tin foil hood, but that's quite simple to imagine. A slow rolling boil is perfect. 2" of water is more than enough. No cracks on either bend, not even a wrinkle on the back. Just be sure to be ready with the jig and clamps, and move swift, make the bend with force but controlled and evenly. The wood will bend right over nicely most often. Cracks and tears happen. I got lucky on this one.
PS - See that little square of paper towel between the bow and pot handle? You need that. That's what keeps the wife off your butt. Without it, yellow water drips down the belly and right unto the stove/counter. BOOM last time you use the kitchen............for a while anyway...
Hope this helps somebody
