bending hickory and backing

[Brent Hill]

I have decided to try my hand at building a hickory flat bow with a backing and have read many books on indian flatbows including traditional bowyers vol. 1.  Just to get my feet wet, I bought a floor tillered stave and a fiberglass backing strip for my first try so that I can get some experience tillering without having to start a square one.  I don't want to build a reflex/deflex on my first bow but I do want to build in reflex into the bow before I glue on the backing.  I plan to hold each limb over boiling water for about 30-45 minutes and then clamp the stave into a homemade form (8 ft. 2x4 with blocks of wood placed on the 2x4 for the limb tips to rest on )that will hold the limb tips forward about 2 - 3 inches.  Is this a good idea or how should I do to bend the wood.  Should I even be trying to build in some reflex.  Secondly, I plan to glue on the backing once I have some reflex in the limbs ( I hope I'm describing this correctly ) with smooth on ea 40, siran wrap and bicycle tube inserts.  I've read that you are supposed to back the bow before tillering to be more successful but then I've been told otherwise as well. Obviously, I don't know.  Thanks for all of your suggestions.  Bhill

[John Scifres]

You can probably simply glue the strip and hickory into reflex.  The glue joint should hold the reflex.  Make sure your belly core is about 1/2" thick or so.

[rbbhunt]

From my little experience, I agree with John, glue it together and clamp it on your form to dry.  If you don't have a hot box, set it in your car for the day in the hot sun (clamped to the form)

[Brent Hill]

The core is about 1/2 inch thick and does appear to be that flexible.  I'm afraid to bend it that far.  Do I just do it.  How far is to far.

[John Scifres]

If your stave is floor tillered, it should be bending at least several inches easily.  1/2" should bend 3" easily.  Double-check the thickness.  How wide is it?  Where'd you get it?  Didn't they have some instructions?

[Brent Hill]

I got it from crows head outfitters.   The stave is 72 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide.  I will have check the belly core tonight but I believe its atleast 1/2 inch thick.  I will get back to you on that tomorrow. Thanks for help.