Bending Bamboo

[DC]

I'm about to bend recurves in a bamboo backing. I've done this many times but I don't think I've ever been really happy with the bends. If I just steam bend using the same form I'm using for the limb the bend doesn't hold well. But if I try to lock it in with dry heat the knife edges of the backing kind of ripple. Anyone got any trade secrets ?

[PatM]

 Only use direct dry heat on the inside of the curve.  Meaning that your form should be used the opposite way.

[DC]

So that would be heating the outside of the bamboo? And make a concave caul? Sorry I just want to make sure

[bradsmith2010]

im confused,, picure please

[DC]

This is what I did and it worked great. I ground a groove in the first caul so that the crown of the boo would fit in it. This was the steam bend. Then when it had cooled I moved it to the second caul so that I could dry heat from the inside of the bend(the outside of the boo). I usually have to re grind the gluing surface because it goes a little convex when you steam bend it but it's nice and flat

[PatM]

I meant that you could just do the second bend as pictured.  Bamboo gets very plastic with heat.

[DC]

Oh well, the end justifies whatever. I'm pleased with the way it turned out. Thanks

[DC]

I did the second one with just dry heat. Pat's method, heating the outside of the boo. Worked as well if not better and took way less time. Thanks Pat

[PatM]

Glad it worked well.