Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TimothyR on February 21, 2016, 10:00:58 pm

Title: Erc sapwood question
Post by: TimothyR on February 21, 2016, 10:00:58 pm

I'm working on an erc bendy and wanted to know if I was to put deflex in the handle and flip the tips a bit. Do I use dry heat or steam?  I'm going to rawhide back it with a diamondback over that. I want to get around 26-27" draw out of it. It is 54" long  and 1 1/2" at the fades. And do i heat treat the belly? Thank you for any advice Tim

Title: Re: Erc sapwood question
Post by: Pat B on February 21, 2016, 10:40:36 pm

I've never done it but I think I'd use steam.

Title: Re: Erc sapwood question
Post by: Aaron H on February 22, 2016, 07:18:27 am

I have used both steam and dry heat, steam seems to work better as it does with most woods imo.  I have not done any extreme bends with erc, but it takes gentle bends well.

Title: Re: Erc sapwood question
Post by: Josh B on February 22, 2016, 07:54:24 am

Steam is better to make the bend.  After its clamped into shape I use dry heat to sort of set the bend.  That piece is a bit undersized for what you are trying to do.  Rawhide is probably not going to be enough to hold that together.  Sinew would be the only thing I would try to make such a short and narrow piece of ERC bend that far.  Josh