steaming wood

[Beanbag]

Was just reading the post on steaming hickory.Got me to thinking. My brother and I have built a few small boats and we've steamed a bit of wood, mostly oak though. We put the strips in a steam tube or box for as long as it tkes to get it soft.When this stuff comes out of the box, you can tie it in a knot,literaly.If this was done to a board or stave and then clamped to a caul and allowed to dry,would it work/ Is there some reason this is not done?Just learning thanks Jim G

[Bowjunkie]

Jim, it's done all the time by bowyers. I've done many, many bows thataway. Done it to straighten otherwise unusable selfbow staves as well as induce reflex, recurves, remove limb twist, etc.

[Beanbag]

Thanks Bowjunkie, I've been reading this site for a while, never saw a tread on it. Jim G

[Johnny_Cash]

I'm glad someone else asked this question as I've been pondering it for awhile.
  I have been considering making a R/D oak board bow by steaming it and I'm wondering if it's been done with any success?  If anyone has done this, how well did it work and was it worth the time and effort performance wise compared to a regular board bow?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Its always worth the time and effort to learn Johnny! The oak board will cost you $5, but you will find out in a hurry if it works and you can build on it from there.

[Pat B]

I would seal the back of any wood I steam and especially already dry wood. Shellac works well with the heat and moisture for this and is easily removed after.