Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on August 04, 2023, 11:01:51 am

Title: Elm recurves pulling out
Post by: stuckinthemud on August 04, 2023, 11:01:51 am

I put in some short statics into an elm bow.  I boiled them for an hour then hit them hard with dry heat to “set” them.  A few hours tillering and they have halved the amount of recurve.  Is there any point in bending them back into shape or do I have to live with them as is?

Title: Re: Elm recurves pulling out
Post by: Hamish on August 04, 2023, 02:52:25 pm

I would use dry heat to coax the recurves back a little, then glue on some laminations to stiffen the tips, and stop them from pulling out again.

Title: Re: Elm recurves pulling out
Post by: Juan Ant. Espinosa on August 04, 2023, 03:43:26 pm

The elm I´ve used here in Spain, did some all right recurves without comming back (just a little bit) using steam.

Title: Re: Elm recurves pulling out
Post by: Stixnstones on August 09, 2023, 09:52:38 am

Any time I boil or steam in tips I always let them sit over night or longer to let them dry out some before bending

Title: Re: Elm recurves pulling out
Post by: Pat B on August 09, 2023, 10:30:50 am

I've only made 2 or 3 recurved elm bows, all were 60" t/t for 50# to 55# @26" all with dry heat/oil. All came out great and none pulled out.
If steaming, I think I'd give them a few days to dry out then set the recurves with dry heat or like Hamish said, add a laminated underlay to prevent them from pulling out. I've done the underlays on other recurves with success.