Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: nflbowhunter on April 29, 2014, 10:39:10 pm

Title: steam bending failing
Post by: nflbowhunter on April 29, 2014, 10:39:10 pm
Im having trouble steam bending a bow i have steam bended bows before with great success but this bow does not want to straighten I have steamed it for 30 minutes rushed to the tree and it dont do a thing any help or ideas would be great.
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: mullet on April 29, 2014, 11:04:16 pm
What kind of wood?
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: SLIMBOB on April 29, 2014, 11:41:06 pm
I built a Hackberry a while back that would not bend.  I first tried it with a heat gun.  No bueno.  I steamed it later and the tips would take no bend, maybe 1/2 inch at most after repeated attempts.  I finally broke the last 6 inches of the tip off trying to get it to bend.  Cant tell you why.  Other Hackberrys have bent like a wet noodle.  This one was different.  ??
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: nflbowhunter on April 29, 2014, 11:51:00 pm
 Not quite sure but I could get a picture of the tree if that would help :-\ and.the bend is In the last 9 inche of the bow
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: Bryce on April 30, 2014, 03:25:44 am
Boil it.
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: soy on April 30, 2014, 04:23:26 am
Boil it.



I have had good luck with that as well...how dry is it???
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: bubby on April 30, 2014, 04:09:39 pm
I've been boiling them wrapped in a cotton cloth/rag, it seems to help it retain the heat better
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: BOWMAN53 on April 30, 2014, 04:27:30 pm
if its crepe myrtle, it does not like to be bent at all, very stubborn stuff
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: nflbowhunter on May 03, 2014, 12:02:04 am
the stave had been split and shaped in February and im pretty sure it not crepe myrtle
Title: Re: steam bending failing
Post by: mikekeswick on May 03, 2014, 03:42:21 am
It really is a good idea to ID a tree before you cut it. How do you know it will make a bow?
Then when you don't know something about it people can give you a  meaningful answer!