Author Topic: Untwisting Black Walnut  (Read 2519 times)

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Offline IrishJay

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Untwisting Black Walnut
« on: April 04, 2019, 04:53:13 pm »
Since my last post in the "campfire" section was about a project involving a certain forbidden material I figured I better attempt to redeem myself by posting a proper primitive project ASAP.

So I'm working on a 73" piece of black walnut that had about 90° of prop twist from tip to tip. I'm removing it using wood clamp as a handle to twist it while clamping it into a table vise, then applying dry heat until the wood is to hot to touch.

Is this more or less the right way to approach this, or is there a better method?



"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline DC

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2019, 05:52:25 pm »
That's about right. It's a good idea to try and get any sideways bends and reflex/deflex at the same time. It can be a logistics nightmare but if you have to go back later the twist will come back. Pins in the Workmates holes and wedges to convince the wood to go where you want it are a good idea. Do one end at a time to give yourself a break and to fit it into the Workmate.

Offline IrishJay

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2019, 09:42:03 pm »
I've got one limb looking pretty good, I'll tackle the other tomorrow.

"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline Mo_coon-catcher

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2019, 05:11:43 am »
If it still wants to be a bit uncooperative with just dry heat, walnut responds well to steam. And it also a good wood to heat treat. So if it doesn’t quite go where you need t to be. Steam it in place then lock it down with a good heat treat.
But it does look like that limb did come along well.

Kyle

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2019, 11:58:59 am »
Here is how I deal with prop twists that are excessive.

http://traditionalarchery101.com/fixtwist.html

Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline IrishJay

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2019, 12:00:34 pm »
Kyle, I'll definitely be steaming at some point, makes the cambium peel right off and stains the wood underneath a nice golden brown. Heat treating I usually do after tillering, but on this bow I may do it before, during and after tillering ti see if it reduces set.

Here's a pic of the first limb, fairly straight with some nice reflex/deflex.

"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline IrishJay

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2019, 12:04:48 pm »
Jawge, that is genius. On the first limb I was hooking a a pry bar against the workmate table and using it the push against the handle of my clamp. It worked but it was clumsy, your method definitely looks better, I'll do the other limb your way.
"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline IrishJay

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2019, 11:41:39 am »
Using the method shared by Jawge to remove the twist. This is by far the best method I've tried, elegant in its simplicity. Little nuggets of wisdom like this are why I love this site.

"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline turmoiler

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2019, 12:55:43 pm »
I suppose that you have to move the wrench from the fades to the tips step by step.
How much length of twist did you remove each time? 4", 6", ....?

Offline IrishJay

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Re: Untwisting Black Walnut
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2019, 01:03:02 pm »
4" to 6" at a time. It was 90° out end to end when I started so is come a long way.
"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear