Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: GaryR on July 03, 2014, 11:22:32 pm
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I have been inactive for some time as my workshop had become non-existent. I now have work space and have come back to my bamboo shafts. I've been trying to straighten using my heat gun. It's working but I'm getting creases near the node. On one, it broke at the crease. Are they too dry, they were cut maybe 2 years ago but stored well. Am I not heating enough before bending? Should I use wet heat? Please help an inexperienced craftsman.
Gary
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I doubt its too dry. I made a cane arrow not long go with a cane that was cut in 2006. Almost sounds like the cane was immature when you cut it.
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I doubt its too dry. I made a cane arrow not long go with a cane that was cut in 2006. Almost sounds like the cane was immature when you cut it.
Ditto to what Pat said.
Did it still have green culms on it, when you cut it? It should have no culms, or dead and dry old ones. ;)
Wayne
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I have overheated some in the past and broke them at the node. I'm talking burnt not just brown.
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Maybe they were too immature. I remember hearing that if they were immature they would shrivel when dry, which did not happen. maybe I need to try some others.
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They could have been just under age. How are you straightening them? If you are getting lengthwise wrinkles, it is immature cane, or boo. I have some Japanese arrow boo, that is just a bit shy of being mature, and it has slight, barely noticeable winkles. It is fairly straight, but would only take a little straightening, to make an arrow. It is a bit under spined, but would make a good kids arrow, or a target arrow, for a light weight bow. I haven't decided what to do with it yet. I have it in my truck at the moment. I have had it in my truck for about two or three years now.
Wayne
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How are you straightening them? If you are getting lengthwise wrinkles, it is immature cane, or boo.
Straightening with heat gun. No wrinkles running the length.
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Did it still have green culms on it, when you cut it?[/quote]
Not really sure, I'm not at all experienced picking out the best shafts. As, you can see though I'm learning, just doing it the hard way.
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When choosing native cane pick only the ones that the paper like sheath is gone or greatly deteriorated. Also when immature cane dries it will have longitudinal wrinkles. Mature cane has a smooth surface.
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IMO................ I think that it's not hot enough and your bending it too much at one time. Try lower slower heat and less bending more times to get them straight.
DBar
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If heated properly, cane probably be tied in a knot. It is very flexible when heated.
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I agree with Pat, when it comes to "cane". Got some bamboo from Eddie @ the Classic and if it's not hot enough it will crack across the shaft on the tension side when bending. After that happens the shaft becomes very weak and worthless. :( took me a few shafts to get the hang it. :-[ By the way Tonkin makes some very nice shafts. Gona have to try some of the hill cane you talk about one of these days.
DBar
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When choosing native cane pick only the ones that the paper like sheath is gone or greatly deteriorated. Also when immature cane dries it will have longitudinal wrinkles. Mature cane has a smooth surface.
Just got back from collecting another dozen shafts. Looked around for a good 10 minutes to see if I could tell the difference between paper culms on and off. Looks like they were all off. I was able to find some that had a little bit of paper still hanging on, but it was nearly all gone. Thing is, thats what I experienced last time I cut some. Does bigger generally mean mature?
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Cane grows to its ultimate size the first year then matures(walls get thicker) the next year or two.
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sounds like he is getting it too hot....JM2C...with a heat gun it only takes a few seconds to get it up to temp..you may have the gun too close also....gut
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sounds like he is getting it too hot with a heat gun it only takes a few seconds to get it up to temp..you may have the gun too close also....gut
BINGO. Less heat and more pressure has done the trick, THANKS!! After the first try I started using more heat and less pressure thinking the pressure was stressing it, I was wrong.
Thanks gutpile, you have relieved my blood pressure and in turn lengthened my life.
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When choosing native cane pick only the ones that the paper like sheath is gone or greatly deteriorated. Also when immature cane dries it will have longitudinal wrinkles. Mature cane has a smooth surface.
I remember you telling me this some time ago before I cut my first batch. Couple years later, I'm hearing it again. I remember not seeing any paper the first time, and could only find some nearly fallen off the other day when I cut my 2nd batch. Any idea why I'm not seeing immature first year grow? Or am I blind?
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It might depend of the specie of cane you are cutting. Most cane growing in the US is probably an Asiatic exotic. The hill cane here is sending up new shoots now and has been for about a month.
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It might depend of the specie of cane you are cutting.
Is there any decisive way off figuring out what species I'm getting? Does it really matter?
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No, the actual species doesn't matter. It is arrows we are making and if they work, use them. Different species have different growth habits. I know the native American canes but not much about the exotics. Where do you live? You might have native cane there but most of the native stuff is in the eastern half of the country and not too far north.
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I live in North Texas. I have doubts about this stuff being native. A lot of phragmites grow naturally here but I'm pretty sure the shafts I cut were transplants.
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Native cane like river cane and switch cane should e growing in north Texas, at least in the eastern section. Switch cane makes very good arrows.
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Well, whatever it is, I know how to straighten it now. Thanks for your help.
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glad I could help ya Gary... cane is my thing..lol...I can get it as straight and as true as any store bought material....when I harvest my cane I put a quick pass on the bad bends then bundle tightly to let dry...this helps in the second phase of straightening... rock on brother...love to see em when done...gut