Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bowkee on February 28, 2010, 06:41:31 pm

Title: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on February 28, 2010, 06:41:31 pm

Just started a White Oak Bow at 66" NTN Would Like to Bend a little reflex into the outer.
The wood seems brittle, not sure if heat bending is the answer. So since oak is so porous would steam bending do?

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: El Destructo on February 28, 2010, 06:56:13 pm

Is this a Board or a Stave??

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on February 28, 2010, 08:20:51 pm

1" Board , woods a bit dark so I think it's sap wood.

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bryan irwin on February 28, 2010, 09:43:50 pm

i think steam will work i just steam bent a red oak board im working on a 72"elb worksd fine.

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: El Destructo on February 28, 2010, 10:37:38 pm

Yeah...Steam...or Boil it....but remember that this will dry the Wood out...and you will have to let it acclimate after it is bent t regain Moisture again....

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Josh on March 01, 2010, 12:21:31 am

I steam bent this red oak board... It was less than half an inch thick though...





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Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on March 01, 2010, 02:59:07 am

Thanks Folks, I will update the results, So used to Hickory and maple wood fibers, did break test on smaller pieces of the oak and got cross grain fractures instead of longer spike fractures as with Hickory and Maple.

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on March 03, 2010, 02:10:21 am

well I gotter bent and applied some Hemp sack Backing with TB3 Glue.

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Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Hillbilly on March 03, 2010, 12:39:01 pm

That's odd that you're having trouble bending it, white oak is usually one of the most flexible woods out there. You can split it down thin and literally tie it in a knot. For example, I made this out of split white oak:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/hillbillync/Other%20Stuff/basket1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/hillbillync/Other%20Stuff/basket2.jpg)

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Pat B on March 03, 2010, 12:53:46 pm

How does it shoot, Steve?  ;D  ::)  Nice tater basket Steve. I've been working on some basket quivers lately.
  I would think white oak would bend easily too but I haven't tried it.

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Christophero on March 03, 2010, 01:58:23 pm

I notice that he did bend it but he was only inducing reflex and not a recureve. 
Yes, I agree with you that oak bend well with steam.  I've set back a handle of white oak, and thought thick, it clamps into a nice curve without too much effort. 
BTW, Josh, those are good looking "Billits" you have recurved there. 

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on March 03, 2010, 05:19:14 pm

Hillbilly, Excellent basket.
I got the tips bent ok just not sure of this species of Oak, it's kiln dried.
Show ya when it's finished.

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on March 05, 2010, 02:00:09 am

http://sports.webshots.com/video/3013971570105417614HomJRM?vhost=sports (http://sports.webshots.com/video/3013971570105417614HomJRM?vhost=sports)

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Josh on March 05, 2010, 11:35:52 am

cool bow man!  How does it shoot?   :)  That was a great idea with the video I am gonna have to try that..

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Bonsai on March 05, 2010, 05:34:30 pm

cool Bow

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on March 06, 2010, 04:08:11 am

Josh, I'm still shaping the handle, trying something I never seen before.

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Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on March 07, 2010, 10:46:49 pm

Finished the Bow . Not a botm, 40#@28  64.5 NTN Target bow. Pin noks , V Flared the Arrow Exit no shelf, Hemp backing, Hemp String and Grip.
Blended the color using sharpie pens , Finished with shellac. all for about 20 dollars.Not as cool as joshes. Phillip

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Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: OldBow on April 18, 2010, 01:04:41 pm

Nicely done. I've got your fine weapon bookmarked for April Self BOM fun, too.

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Lombard on April 18, 2010, 01:29:04 pm

I used to help my Uncle build Lobster Traps. They were made of White Oak, and we would steam bend the Oak arches. Nice bow by the way.

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Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on April 28, 2010, 04:23:44 am

nice trap

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on June 08, 2010, 04:12:02 pm

Here is an update: Decided to side tiller some more because of Hand shock, Gotter to 26" on the tree and heard crack then bang, Broke my scale also the burlap backing does not really stop the Bow from exploding just hinders it from exploding into lots of peices.
The Bow broke about 10" from the tip.

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Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: Josh on June 08, 2010, 04:14:33 pm

Man that stinks I hate it when that happens... Oh well, time to build another you know you're gonna!   :) 

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: dwardo on June 09, 2010, 06:11:48 am

Looked like a nice bow, feel for you  :-[

But if you aint breakin you aint makin, where is the next one?  ;D

Title: Re: Steam Bending White Oak
Post by: bowkee on June 09, 2010, 02:27:19 pm

well I'm workin on makin 2 juniper and 2 alder Bows thgats all I got to work with, slow but sure :)