How long to wait after dry heat?

[J05H]

Hey guys, I just finished straightening a bow blank so the tips allign using dry heat. I was wondering how soon I can start on tillering. I don't have a lot of experience with heat corrections. Just in case its relevant, the bow blank is red elm and the heat correction was confined to the handle.

Thanks in advance, Josh

[NeolithicMan]

I have heard/read a few different beliefs on this. Between let it sit until RH raises the MC back up, and just wait until its cooled down. I feel it depends on the wood really, hickory i like to wait, osage i give it 1-3 hours to cool down and get back to it. just did that last night with osage and the string alignment did not change so i think im good

[SLIMBOB]

If I heated the working part of the limb, I will wait a day before working it too hard just as a precaution. The handle, if it's non working, I'd let it cool and carry on. Working handle, I'd wait a day just to be safe. One of my cauls is made from Cedar. When I use it, the resins boil at the surface. Some moisture displacement is happening in the wood, so I play it safe by giving it a day to recover.

[J05H]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. I think I'll get started as soon as it cools.

[Pat B]

For heat straightening I try to wait until tomorrow before stressing the bow. For heat tempering I give it 3 or 4 days to rehydrate before stressing the bow.

[bubby]

For heat straightening I try to wait until tomorrow before stressing the bow. For heat tempering I give it 3 or 4 days to rehydrate before stressing the bow.

x2

[DuBois]

For heat straightening I try to wait until tomorrow before stressing the bow. For heat tempering I give it 3 or 4 days to rehydrate before stressing the bow.

Hey Pat, why different times for these 2 things? I'm sure there's a reason and I want to understand.
Thanks, Marco

[Pat B]

Marco, when I'm bending or straightening I heat the wood just enough to bend it. This dries the wood out but not much.  When tempering a belly I deep heat the wood, scorching the surface. This dehydrated the wood pretty good and if stressed too soon before it has time to rehydrate it can cause a failure. Most woods need to be about 9%-11% for bow building(hickory 6%) or they can fail in tension because the wood is too dry(brittle).

[DuBois]

OK, thanks Pat