Author Topic: heat source for straightening shafts  (Read 3117 times)

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Offline GaryR

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heat source for straightening shafts
« on: January 08, 2012, 07:56:14 pm »
Will my wifes hair dryer do it or do I have to have a heat gun?

$10 harbor freight heat gun yea or nae?

Gary

Offline Bevan R.

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2012, 08:55:55 pm »
Go for the heat gun. It can also be used to heat bend bow limbs.
I also picked up a hot plate to use for shaft bending. Some times I need the quiet that you cannot get with a heat gun.
Bowmakers are a little bent, but knappers are just plain flaky.

Offline Pat B

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2012, 09:31:31 pm »
Heat gun works for all sorts of things.I've heard bad things about the cheap Harbor Freight heat guns. Spend $35 and get a good one.
  I use our gas cook stove to straighten shafting. Has worked well for years.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline GaryR

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2012, 10:35:22 pm »
I know I have to get a heat gun eventually and I will. I'm just foaming at the mouth to do arrow work right now. I reckon I could use the stove for now.

Offline cracker

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2012, 11:37:18 pm »
Dollar store hot plate for about 5.00. Ron
If we can't help each other what is the point of being here?

Offline bubby

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2012, 12:20:25 am »
a stove will work, mine's electric and i just used to crank up the heat on a burner, that's when i had a harbor freight gun, they die a fast death, lost two in two month's, finally got a decent wagner, heck on the stove i made a 1"1/4" sch 40 pvc pipe horse bow that drew 40# @ 29", took 'bout ten min to get bent, never know what material your gonna have if you need a bow >:D, Bub
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline GaryR

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2012, 12:54:57 am »
Bubby, I think I'll get a wagner on Friday/payday at home depot $23.

Offline Prarie Bowyer

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2012, 01:11:31 am »
I use an alchohol burner and some 91% rubbing from walmart.  I have a dentist torch that is on a squeze bottle so ti shoots flame sidewasye for melting my sculpting clay.  Any alchohol burner will work.  Keep it moving and you won't get burnt spots.

Offline Josh B

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2012, 11:08:32 am »
Sterno cans for camping work pretty good when you don't have access to electricity.  Josh

Offline sadiejane

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2012, 01:26:32 pm »
have a heat gun but dont use it on arrows.
prefer the gas stove burner
or when i feel it, a nice fire in the firepit out back.
thats what i will be using today. its just right outside for a fire this morning.
wild women don't get the blues

Offline Tom Leemans

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2012, 01:33:40 pm »
I have a cheap Wagner heat gun (only 1 heat setting) for when there's electricity and a single burner propane camp stove (one of those that screws on to a propane cylinder) for when there isn't. You can prop the heat gun facing up in one of those quick clamps.

Offline seabass

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2012, 05:22:58 pm »
single burner coleman propane cook stove.i have used it on rivercane and multiflora rose.cheap and works really well.good luck,Steve
Middletown,Ohio

Offline triggerfinger

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2012, 01:52:43 am »
I like the alcohol torch myself.  It's not so hot that you have to be crazy careful and its easy to use.   I bet you could make one out of an oil lamp, same principle different fuel
I have nothing witty to say.......

Offline randman

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Re: heat source for straightening shafts
« Reply #13 on: January 12, 2012, 03:14:52 am »
I use the alcohol torch. Very quiet! works like a champ. Just got to remember it's burning - open flame and all. Don't want to walk away and leave it. Don't ask me how I know.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.