Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BrokenArrow on January 09, 2015, 01:57:22 pm

Title: Yew longbow advice
Post by: BrokenArrow on January 09, 2015, 01:57:22 pm
I have a 71 inch yew long bow in the making and have finished the back and am currently floor tillering it.
It is slightly twisted and both limbs are not centered and when the stave is placed sideways on a level surface the distance between the handle and the level is about 1 inch.
I have been told to team bend the wood and to use shellac however I take it I have to sand the shallac off after.
Are there any other alternatives  to this?
Title: Re: Yew longbow advice
Post by: Del the cat on January 09, 2015, 02:22:24 pm
You don't need shellac....
Just steam, or dry heat... or dry heat whilst slavering it with vegetable oil or whatever.
I'd suggest if you are correcting a lateral bend, slightly over correct it, take at least 40 minutes applying heat and if dry heat take the belly to a slighly darker tone, this will heat treat it and may help stop spring back.
I would also strongly suggest applying the heat to the belly, covering the sapwood with several layers of tape, or clamping thin slats of wood to the sides of the save to keep the heat off the sapwood.
Are we talking English longbow or American Longbow?
Del
Title: Re: Yew longbow advice
Post by: BrokenArrow on January 09, 2015, 03:57:12 pm
English longbow