Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Slikkers on January 29, 2012, 06:05:53 pm

Title: Twist, how much is too much... (now progress pics)
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 29, 2012, 06:05:53 pm: I have a nice 56" piece of Lilac that has a little bit of prop twist to it... >:D It is a true 180 degree swirl, should this be attempted in multiple sessions or all at once?

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XWlMw_Qg8iY/TyWnuKGg6xI/AAAAAAAAEEI/YwqzI4WwLHU/w500-h375-k/CIMG2496.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t1YkV46rwwM/TyWn8LHfGeI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/RtIkyutd30E/w324-h243-k/CIMG2497.JPG)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Youngboyer2(billyf) on January 29, 2012, 06:24:09 pm: I am new at this so you can just disregard what I say but from what I know taking it slow is the way to go, broken bows make great Learning experiences but at the same time they don't shoot very well
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: gstoneberg on January 29, 2012, 06:30:49 pm: Depends on your method. I would think it would be hard to steam that much wood and get it straightened out on a form before it cooled off too much. If it's cured I'd do it with dry heat and several heatings. Actually, with that one, I'd look for another stave. I do a lot of crooked wood, but 90 degrees is my personal limit. I'm sure it can be done, but not by me. Hopefully by you. :D

Have fun,
George
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Pat B on January 29, 2012, 06:44:55 pm: Lee, I've not worked lilac so I don't know how well it reacts to heat but I changed this osage stave...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/TGbowtrade016.jpg)

...into this bow but used many heating and straightening sessions...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/TGtradebow015.jpg)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/TGtradebow022.jpg)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/TGtradebow024-1.jpg)

This was a TG bow trade bow. Here is the new owner, Joe Weed, shooting it backwards... ;D
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/TGtradebow.jpg)
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 29, 2012, 06:48:29 pm: Thanks Guys and Pat, I appreciate the encouragement and example...nothing ventured, nothing gained right??? >:D I'll see what some oil and dry heat and a handful of sessions will bring me.
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Pat B on January 29, 2012, 06:50:01 pm: Lee, get that thing close to bow size before you try to straighten it. It is way too much wood there now.
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 29, 2012, 07:10:07 pm: Will do Pat...thanks again for the advise.
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: sadiejane on January 30, 2012, 12:51:04 pm: well lee, my experience is very limited.
but i was, as pat, with dry heat and numerous sessions able to get this
(http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab346/sadiejane9/bowmaking/DSCN8273.jpg)
to this
(http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab346/sadiejane9/bowmaking/DSCN0037.jpg)

with a significant wind check patched with rawhide, its still holding and shooting good
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Pappy on January 30, 2012, 01:03:06 pm: Not sure on that wood but I know You can get that much out of an Osage stave
and Have taken close to that much out of IW and Persimmon.Give it a try,then you will know. ;) ;D ;D and so will we. :)
Pappy
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 30, 2012, 01:20:25 pm: Thanks SadieJane & Pappy...I would hardly question it if it was Osage but it is a lot softer than Osage and checks like @#$# once any bark is removed or if any branch/knot locations are not 110% sealed. This stuff have been drying for over a year so since it's white wood I am sure it is dry so that should reduce any possible checking issues.

I think my biggest challange might be just trying to reduce it it to a bow profile with it in the current corkscrew stave. I guess before I continue chasing a back ring (more like just scraping past the cambium layer) I will attempt a layout on it with a pencil and then see how good my bandsaw abilities are...I've cut a lot of character staves before but this one will likely push me to my limits :o
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 30, 2012, 11:45:23 pm: If you got a good solid vice, a heat gun, a Jorgenson woodworkers clamp or pipe wrench, and a bucket of water for weight I bet you will tame that purple propeller!

If you can't, send it to me and I will.
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 30, 2012, 11:50:25 pm: Thanks for the idea JW...got her reduced down to "heat-able" untwisting dimensions...we'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 31, 2012, 12:14:35 am: Do it up in 10" sections at a time, do one limb, allow it to cool and flip 'er around and do another section on the other limb. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And a LOT of catsup.
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much to try and steam out of a stave?
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 31, 2012, 07:39:05 pm: Well, reduced her a bit last night, here are some "before" pics...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--6I8ypdpc4g/TyhfIl1h6-I/AAAAAAAAEHA/eq3qZ_y03gU/w617-h463-k/CIMG2520.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MPCQz6N5a-g/Tyhffj1vOxI/AAAAAAAAEHI/UYd8mp7-uLI/w324-h243-k/CIMG2521.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qnbd4BOkKtg/TyhfyAIH2xI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/FBUzc7p6xV0/w324-h243-k/CIMG2522.JPG)

Here are some shots of the 1st heat session late last night...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RETxbQmYPag/TyhgCGQKV0I/AAAAAAAAEHY/xDenJ1RMtro/w216-h161-n-k/CIMG2523.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rqqYkPUQDsU/TyhmrFB8AGI/AAAAAAAAEHk/K_95dngs4aI/w324-h243-k/CIMG2524.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ma9Tlr_n9P0/TyhnC3lsWrI/AAAAAAAAEHs/3Zp5wpqHhtU/w324-h243-k/CIMG2525.JPG)

Here are some progress shots after I gave her another round this morning...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MAlaoet5rYc/Tyhna1I8BNI/AAAAAAAAEH0/49IE0OwErYs/w324-h243-k/CIMG2527.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2GTJutIxSuM/Tyhn5rNxhkI/AAAAAAAAEH8/FU5_SB0k1qI/w408-h306-k/CIMG2528.JPG)

Got 90 degrees removed so far, we'll see what tomorrow holds.

Stay tuned...
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much... (now progress pics)
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 31, 2012, 08:05:29 pm: Atta boy! Don't take no crap offa that stave!
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much... (now progress pics)
Post by: blackhawk on January 31, 2012, 08:11:08 pm: Your a sick man if your enjoying this buddy...I know you have straighter wood around than that. :laugh:
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much... (now progress pics)
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 31, 2012, 08:19:59 pm: Yeah, I know bud...was actually kinda muttering under my breath as I tried to leverage some of the twist out this morning BUT now that I started...I'd hate to give up on her. Maybe I'll put her in the corner and let her think about how twisted of a girl she is and maybe she'll come around easier next time >:D
Title: Re: Twist, how much is too much... (now progress pics)
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 31, 2012, 08:25:38 pm: Quote from: Lee Slikkers on January 31, 2012, 08:19:59 pm
Yeah, I know bud...was actually kinda muttering under my breath as I tried to leverage some of the twist out this morning BUT now that I started...I'd hate to give up on her. Maybe I'll put her in the corner and let her think about how twisted of a girl she is and maybe she'll come around easier next time >:D

Don't do it! You gotta keep after her! If you quit now she wins. It'll just strengthen her resolve and she'll become hardened in her ways! Spare the heatgun and spoil the stave!