Bending Wood

[bigcountry]

Well, got my first high powered heat gun tonight.  A wagner 1500watt.  Hope thats enough.  I wanted the 1675watt version but they were out.  

I need to bend my yew bow and take some prop twist out of other osage staves/bows.  

I plan on experimenting on some leftover yew and osage I have.  Cut them into square strips, and coat them with cooking oil and try to see how much it takes to make em bend without igniting.

Any other tips?

[Pat B]

Just keep it moving and watch for color change. Generally wood will turn quite plastic when it is ready to bend.

[Eric Krewson]

If you use a reflector you can cut heating times in half. You don't need to change the color of the wood. Keep your heat gun moving, when you can't hold your hand on the wood for more that a couple of seconds it is ready to bend.

 

[bigcountry]

Thanks guys, any oil in particular you use?  I will practice today.  

I want to do all kinds of stuff with it.  I want to start experimenting with heat treating the belly of bows.  Recurving tips.  I have used steam before with good luck on the tips.  Just looking for something less involved then taking over my wife's kitchen for 2 hours with big pots.

[Pat B]

I use olive oil because that's what we have at home. Any oil will work.  Some folks don't use oil for heating wood to bend. It is not necessary. I think it helps to distribute the heat evenly and holds the heat better than just dry heat.
   For heat tempering bellies you don't want any oil. You want the wood to scorch to an extent.

[mox1968]

how long would you leave the bow jigged up after bending??

[Eric Krewson]

I leave the wood clamped until it is room temp most of the time. If I am making a delicate correction like tweeking tips in my vise with out clamps using hand pressure I make a correction, sight down the bow to check my progress. If I am satisfied with my correction I put the bow aside hot and let it cool off.

[Pat B]

I usually wait until tomorrow before stressing the bow. Like Eric simple heat corrections don't necessarily need to be clamped but I still wait until I'm sure it is completely cooled which you can't always tell by feel. If the heat goes deep into the wood, like it should, the inside can still be warm even though the outside feels cool.

[mox1968]

I tried the steam method too but like you say its too much with the wife tapping her feet behind you waiting to start supper!!!!