Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Zradix on March 04, 2015, 11:33:49 am

Title: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Zradix on March 04, 2015, 11:33:49 am
Hey guys,

I'm working on a tril lam ( hick, maple, osage ).
I need to bend 5, 12" long, 2.5" wide, 3/16" strips of maple to match the handle contour.
These will be stacked on each other. After gluing and shaping the tapers the whole mess will be sandwiched between the core and back lams.

I'd like to minimize the spring back I'll get if I just glued them to the curve.
..who knows.maybe there wouldn't be much spring back with that number of glue lines.
I'm also thinking that when I shape the taper into it some of the stress will be relived and straighten a tad as well.

so....I'm thinking about bending them prior to gluing.

The maple is pretty clean wood with a very slight bit of curl in some pieces.

Would it be best to use dry heat for these or to steam them before clamping them into shape?


Thank you
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 04, 2015, 12:23:19 pm
Steam them for 15 minutes and you will be able to move them however you wish.
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: bubby on March 04, 2015, 12:46:36 pm
If you wrap them in a wet towel and put them in a microwave for 2-3mins they will bend like a noodle
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 04, 2015, 12:49:34 pm
Good plan bubbly
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: DC on March 04, 2015, 12:53:54 pm
Could you glue and clamp them while they're still warm or would that be asking for trouble?
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: bubby on March 04, 2015, 02:13:28 pm
Just clamp them and leave to dry/cool, then glue them up
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Zradix on March 04, 2015, 03:03:43 pm
Thanks for the tips
 :D
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Zradix on March 05, 2015, 01:04:42 am
yunno what..
That microwave idea actually worked...lol

I got the pieces steamed, and bent.
 Going to wait a bit for em to dry back out and glue em up.

Thanks for the tips!
 :D
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: bubby on March 05, 2015, 11:13:34 am
Of course it worked ::), makes it easy don't it :)
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Zradix on March 05, 2015, 11:40:46 am
yes it does!
Thank you!

...now I just gotta scrounge around for 6-5 used same wattage microwaves.
cut the sides out/off and line em up..oh yeah..we be steamin.. ;D
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 05, 2015, 12:18:22 pm
Better have 5-6 separate breakers to. Pop! goes the breaker!
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Zradix on March 05, 2015, 12:29:37 pm
BREAKERS!!?
We don't need no stinkin breakers!
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Springbuck on March 06, 2015, 10:32:04 pm
  microwaving little stuff is amazing.  I have even bent really hard tropical stuff that way.  I mean like mun ebody and amazakouai (sp?)
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Roy on March 07, 2015, 09:44:07 am
Zradix, Betty Crocker would be proud of you.. Did ya wear a purty pink apron while ya was in the kitchen?:)
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: vinemaplebows on March 07, 2015, 12:49:29 pm
You can bend whole staves with the microwave. :)
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: paco664 on March 07, 2015, 02:15:57 pm
Quote from: vinemaplebows on March 07, 2015, 12:49:29 pm
You can bend whole staves with the microwave. :)
i want a microwave big enough to do that....
Title: Re: Bending short maple strips
Post by: Zradix on March 10, 2015, 01:26:28 am
Quote from: Roy on March 07, 2015, 09:44:07 am
Zradix, Betty Crocker would be proud of you.. Did ya wear a purty pink apron while ya was in the kitchen?:)

jeez o petes....no matter where I go,..I just can't escape your ridicule can I..
..you stalking me ya weirdo...?
Why the heck you thinking of me in a pretty pink damn apron anyway?
Sounds like you've been in the shop too long bub.