"MICROWAVE" for heating wood ?

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Thanks Guys !!! For all the info. Some climb into tree stands without a safety belt...some don't use car seat belts....some don't cover there mouths when flintknapping and breath razor sharp "mini" blades ... But some of us listen to others and are thankful for there thoughts and concerns .... I appreciate it all. Jeff
p.s. "Ouch" I just burned myself steaming that unrulely bow limb !!! I really don't like gloves !!! Thanks again !!!!

[Tom Leemans]

The short answer is yes, it has been done (can you say "hold my beer"?). It wasn't so great that it was worth it for sure. Too much prep and possible safety issues to make it worth the risk. Just get a heat gun or build a steam tube instead.

[DCM]

It works.  I've done it, although only a handful of times.  The (Iowa) boys at MoJam used my machine for at least 2 of the years I attended.  I think I left it for them one year, I haven't seen it around the shop.  It's not nearly as practical as a heat gun or steam.  It's hard to control, I think because it's effectiveness is a function of the moisture content in the wood, which is hard to predict.  Also it's tricky to position the wood and it only heats a relatively small area.  Also, as with steam, you have to get the wood to a caul really quickly.  Heat gun and a caul is absolutely the best, cheapest way to work with bow wood.  

I have colon cancer.  I personally don't think the two are related.  Google sources aren't conclusive wrt to the potential link.  I can see no incentive to try it.

[frank bullitt]

Ray, no disrespect taken, just was having one of those days! I understand everyones negative feelings on the subject. I'm truly against cooking and drinking from plastics, also!

Heck, I tried to get my wife to let me cut a hole in the side of the dishwater, and use the steam and dry cycle  

[Eric Krewson]

Bama boy Buzz Ackerman uses one to bend wood. He says it just takes a short time to get the wood scorching hot. He probably saw David's in use at MoJam as he is a regular attendee.

Back when I was a duck decoy carver I would dry wood carving blocks in a regular microwave at work(didn't want to use the one at home, wifey wouldn't have liked it).

I got pretty good at drying wood with it but it took some trial and plenty of error. Too long in the microwave and the wood would be charred in the center of the block. A microwave will sure make the steam roll from a block of wood.

[John Scifres]

p.s. If you need a cotton shirt dried quick, a microwave is the perfect choice  

[John Scifres]

p.s.s. Probably not while you're wearing it though    

[frank bullitt]

Eric is right on the carvers use. A well known carver here, was showing me around his shop this summer and mentioned the same!

The neat thing about the day, was how we shared a great love for wood and the outdoors!

I only wished I shared he's talent!

[dutchwarbow]

my uncle told me it might work pretty well, as it heats the wood more thoroughly than a heatgun. Few men alive who know more about wood than he does.

Nick