Avoiding scorch marks

[justsomedude]

Working on my first board bow from red oak 1x2, stiff handle 69" at about 45# @ 28".

It had taken a bit more set than I wanted due to string it too early. Today, I finished smoothing out the humps that were causing uneven bending and decided to wrap it up and put some Linseed Oil and Howards Orange Oil/Beeswax on it.

In the process, I went ahead and clamped it down flat to a board and got out the heat gun to get the Linseed and Wax soaked in and the double purpose of potentially straightening out the limbs a little.

Was trying to go slow as recommended but got some scorch marks. I don't really mind them but in the future would like more control. Any tips? Better lighting would have definitely been a major help and I'll do that in the future.

[RyanY]

Good lighting, low setting, and 3-4" away from the wood.

[justsomedude]

I got the 3-4" part right

[Pat B]

I use oil to prevent scorching when bending and straightening a bow with a heat gun. You must really be cooking it if it is scorching through the linseed oil and wax you are treating the bow with.

[justsomedude]

Looking at it now, the places it burned were where the grain was still 'open'. I sanded quite a bit but some spots just didn't want to be smooth

[justsomedude]

Interesting.....the heat treating with the oil/wax opened up the grain quite a bit. Then I went over it with 400 sandpaper and now it is extremely smooth ( I had already sanded up to 400 before the Linseed Oil).

[Stick Bender]

I have been using a method that was recommended to me for the last couple of bows , I got a infrared thermometer & my heat gun is around 1300 watts & I spray my limbs with spray olive oil and start at the fades 4 in above the limb and after a few minutes start taking a temp reading & when I get to 400 F I hold it there for about minute longer & then move to the next area , it has been working great on osage with minimal scorching  plus it gives me a good solid temper & I let the bow acclamate for 2 weeks after . It works good for me and takes the guess work out.

[justsomedude]

Thanks,
I actually have a laser thermometer and will use that next time. With this Oak, the burn happens very quickly.
I needed a method.

[Stick Bender]

Also a little some thing I have been doing lately is I wrap my bow in a electric blanket set on high for a couple hours before treating so when I start tempering my wood is at about 135 F  in my mind it helps but can't prove it but made sense with the wood coming up to temp quicker less scorching  but not a necessary step , some times with this bow making craft you just have to get creative & find what works for you, good luck with your treating.