Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sleek on March 15, 2016, 09:41:22 pm

Title: how to lay bamboo back over a recurve
Post by: sleek on March 15, 2016, 09:41:22 pm

I am repairing the back of that attempted shot bow that lifted a splinter. Its recurved and hetting boo to lay in that radius seems difficult. I see a few options. Boil the boo and curve it to match, thin it so thin at the tips it bends with little to no force. Bitnifnits that thin,  screw it and terminate it at the hooks with a wrap.

Any suggestions?

Title: Re: how to lay bamboo back over a recurve
Post by: PatM on March 15, 2016, 09:50:57 pm

You can bend boo by aggressively heating the outside with a heat gun.  Try it with a few scrap slats.

Title: Re: how to lay bamboo back over a recurve
Post by: bushboy on March 16, 2016, 04:39:59 am

I have clamped bamboo to a recurve and locked in the shape with a heat gun also.try to keep the nodes out of the tightest parts of the hooks if possible.

Title: Re: how to lay bamboo back over a recurve
Post by: John Scifres on March 16, 2016, 12:17:31 pm

Your boo should be as thin as you can get it.  Cut it to profile.  Thin it with a planer or plane until the sides are nearly sharp, certainly less than 1/16" thick.  It should easily conform to the shape.  If not, a heatgun gently used should encourage it to do so.  Your broken bow's back has to be dead flat.  Good luck.