Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: osage outlaw on August 29, 2018, 04:44:58 pm
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I made a quick steam tube out of some PVC pipe for the Marshall bow shoot. It worked pretty good but there was room for improvement. My good buddy Derik aka "Bowtarist" offered to make me a better version made out of aluminum. I put the finishing touches on it today. It's 44" long so I can steam half a bow at a time. I use a wallpaper steamer with it. That is very easy to use and puts off plenty of steam for a bow.
(https://i.imgur.com/NqjJH5v.jpg)
I drilled a hole just big enough to squeeze the steam hose into.
(https://i.imgur.com/tjIHBlJ.jpg)
This is what I came up with on the first PVC tube and it worked great. I screwed the thick rubber to a wood plug and cut slots in it. The bow can slide in and it makes a good seal around it. No more messing with aluminum foil or rags trying to keep the steam in.
(https://i.imgur.com/j7uatof.jpg)
The opening in the wood plug is 2"x2" behind the rubber so I can fit a bow handle in there if I needed to.
(https://i.imgur.com/K4gjBiC.jpg)
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That's really nice. Great idea.
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That setup appears to be effective. Congrats, bud!
Assume ya got the steamer for . . . . . FREE!
::)
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That's a gooder!
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I like that. You should mount it to the wall and have a steam center like Simon does. You need a hole for the steam to get out. Lots of flow gets it hotter. You should also drill a small hole on the cold end so you can stick a kitchen thermometer in it. It's nice to know the temp. A little insulation wouldn't hurt, that pipe is going to get hot.
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I need one of those. Thanks for sharing that.
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That setup appears to be effective. Congrats, bud!
Assume ya got the steamer for . . . . . FREE!
::)
I got it used from the big auction site for under $20
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Looks pretty slick Clint. Much nicer than my steam setup.
Bjrogg
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That rubber end cap with the slits looks really good :)
Del
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Nice :OK ! Bob
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I second what DC said, wrap that thing in insulation. Aluminum dissipates heat very well, so it's gonna be just as hot on the outside as on the inside.
I really like what you did with the opening, that's pretty neat
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I could get an old blanket or something to wrap around it. I like keeping it portable so I can take it to different bow gatherings.
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I used the old version a few times, it worked great. But I can see how this version may be even better. Hopefully the aluminum doesn't dissipate the heat too quickly.
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Maybe you could get that foam stuff they put on hot water pipes. Or even one of those swimming noodles.
Bjrogg
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I'll figure out some way to insulate it. I'm going to put some caution HOT signs on it also.
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Clint, radiant insulation wrap may be good insulation. It's only about .250 thick and has an R5 rating. A couple wraps, tape it up and you could slide it on and off. Good luck with whatever you do.
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Is that the foil bubble wrap stuff?
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Nice set up Clint.
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That's exactly what it is.
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Well what about double walling the pipe. Arvin
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Excellent idea, like stated earlier! I might just take some ideas from this to my own setup... :OK
Can i ask, what was the problem with a pvc pipe, since you wanted to change it?
I was thinking a plumbing pvc pipe would do just fine. Or will it get too hot and actually melt/lose its form?
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Pvc bends if it isn't well supported. I've never had it melt but a 4' piece of 4" sagged big time when supported at the ends. I think a "V" trough would work.