Heat treating an HLD

[upstatenybowyer]

I know there are different forces at work with an HLD design. Below is a diagram that Simson has on his website (I hope it's okay that I'm showing it Simson) that shows how there ends up being some compression on the back and tension on the belly when the bow is drawn.

I have 2 questions...

1. In addition to the tension at work on the belly, I'm assuming there's still compression, so is heat treating an HLD made of white wood still beneficial?

2. If dry heat weakens a wood's tensile strength, does heat treating the belly of an HLD put it risk of splitting along the sides due to tension failure along the "walls"?

[PatM]

Are you realizing that the forces shown are across the limb rather than linear?  It might have been better to say expansion of the belly and contraction of the back.

[upstatenybowyer]

Sorry, yes Pat I am indeed realizing that. Okay, will heat treating the belly but the bow in jeopardy when the belly is expanding?

[BowEd]

I could'nt tell ya myself Jeff.I'd think it would myself.Maybe simon can tell you.

[leonwood]

I have heat treated all my hld bows from various woods. (Hazel, ash, black locust, elder, yew, mulberry)
They all gained weight and they all still shoot. The hazel is the only bow that took some set so I would definately heat treat!

[upstatenybowyer]

I have heat treated all my hld bows from various woods. (Hazel, ash, black locust, elder, yew, mulberry)
They all gained weight and they all still shoot. The hazel is the only bow that took some set so I would definately heat treat!

Cool. Thanks guys