how long?

[stuckinthemud]

Funny how questions pop up all at the same time.  So I steamed the laurel bow for about 3/4 of an hour, clamped it straight for about 18 hours over night and when I took it out of the clamps it was lovely and straight.  Two hours later it had completely gone back to its old shape, so, did I not clamp it for long enough, or not steam it for long enough, or should I have used dry heat - I put it back in the clamps to finish drying as it was still damp when I un-clamped it, but I think I am going to have to try again.

[bradsmith2010]

well seems clamp it longer and steam it longer

[stuckinthemud]

so it seems, but would be nice if we could pin it down to one or the other for future reference - for instance, if the wood should be clamped until dried out

[Pat B]

I've not tried laurel but with the whitewoods I have used, dry heat worked well for me. I clamp at the handle, back against the form and started heating at the fade on one limb and work my way out the limb, clamping as I go. I heat it initially until it begins to turn color. When the first limb is done I move to the second limb. Once both limbs are heated and clamped I go back over both limbs, heating until I get a darker color. I then let the bow rest in the form at least until the next day and sometimes longer depending on the R/H. If the humidity is low I give it a few days. 

[bubbles]

It's a good idea to go a little past where you want it to end up, as there will always be some spring-back.  Some guys also steam and clamp, wait a while and then while still clamped, hit it with dry heat.    I have done this and it seems to lock the bend in a bit more. 

[Del the cat]

Maybe you didn't get it clamped up quick enough?
It's good if you can apply the steam or heat in situ where it will be clamped, you can actually feel the wood starting to give, then bend and clamp it up and ideally keep it steaming for a while longer.
It should only need leaving long enough to cool down which is probably as long as it took to heat up! However it's sensible to leave it overnight.
I have found some wood that tends to spring back after bending... setting the bend in place with heat treating seems to work well, and the two operations can often be combined.
Del

[sleek]

Evertime I steam something I go back after its dried ( dont take long, steam is hot enough to actually dry wood out ) and temper the belly with dry heat. I found it helps lock in the shape. Give that a go before unclamping. Watch for checks and if you see em stop. Woods too wet if those happen.

[stuckinthemud]

Thanks guys, I did clamp it up straight away, but didn't dry it before I un-clamped it, will give that a go next time.  Does this all apply to bending in recurves?

[Pat B]

I have done recurves with dry heat but I think your best bet for recurves is steaming or boiling.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Not a long enough steam. A complete bow will take at least an hour, Id go 75-90 minutes.

[Pappy]

I usually go at least an hour after it starts steaming good, then be sure to have everything ready so it can be clamped really quick, I am talking just a few minutes[like 5 maybe] quicker if possible. I also keep a heat gun handy in case it starts to cool.
 Pappy

[PEARL DRUMS]

Anytime pieces return to where they came from, you are either short on heat or didn't get it bent and clamped fast enough. It was hot enough to bend, but not hot enough to stay.

[Selfbowman]

Interesting Arvin

[stuckinthemud]

Thanks all, looks like I was way short on steam, needed at least another half hour by Pearl Drum's reckoning.