Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Ryan Jacob on January 06, 2018, 09:17:57 pm
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What is the easiest way to heat bend the bow to get the tips to align? It was fine before since while it was drying but it warped on limb dead straight so it became a problem.
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I have had success straightening/bending dry limbs by wetting the area, wrapping in aluminium foil, taping the ends with masking tape, heating with a gun and applying weight. The water steams up inside the foil and prevents scorching. Bend a little farther than needed as it will return some. Allow to cool with weight applied. A light scrape or sand will remove the tannin stain the water leaves on the surface. I used this technique on a number of Ironbark bows that all decided to do their own thing.
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Ryan,
Like Koreybear said, bend farther than needed...Here is a sequence on a cull using dry heat with over correction and corrected results...This can be used on a near finished bow also...I usually over correct by 50%...
Don
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corrected
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I don’t own any clamps though... could I do this by hand?
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Heat the limb and torque it in a tree fork...Hold it long enough to cool down...Probably been done that way many times...
Don
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That’s basically between two branches or trunks right?
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Yes ,keeping in mind the bend has to be done while still hot.
very good pic tutorial Buchett.
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Ryan,
Like ohma2 said, bend while hot...You have to move quickly with this method...Here I used steam and went to a vice and held for a few minutes by hand...
Don
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...and after you heat it and straighten it let it rest until completely cooled and not just to the touch. Give it at least a few hours.
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Wow Donald..... above and beyond. Kudos to you. People like like you give PA real value. Many thanks!
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Thanks Korey, I owe a lot of folks on here over the years myself and like to help when I can...
Don
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I don’t own any clamps though... could I do this by hand?
You can use wedges. Same method as the other Don. The strategically placed blocks with the red arrows are temporarily screwed to the caul.
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The legs of a stool/chair/table work, so do the uprights on a staircase, even a door frame but best put some padding on the framework so the bow doesn't dent it. Any gap you can jam a bow limb in will do; I think I once levered a bow I steamed across the gap between a pair of kitchen units to make a minor adjustment, then put it in a vice and set the bend with dry heat - my stove is a long way from my bench
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Thanks for the tips! I think I’ll use my stairs. It’s a good thing I kept this thing short cause I gotta run!