Heat Box or Not

[coaster500]

This is probably a dumb question but here goes. I noticed in allot of the build alongs here that most of you use some sort of heat box to dry and cure. I have also seen some where a heat box was not used?

Is it necessary and what, other than drying time is the advantage?

I really enjoy the opportunity to learn in your posts and maybe someday I'll learn enough to build one of my own.

Thank you

Kip

[kennym]

Kip ,from what I have gathered,the glue will turn loose when it gets to the temp cured at. So it just adds a bit of heat resistance.

I know a strung longbow on a black bedliner in a pickup will blow in 2 hours!! Please don't ask how I know this.....

[George Tsoukalas]

No, it is not necessary. It's just faster. I've actually never used a heat box. You can speed the process by roughing out the bow and actually getting the limbs to bend at floor tiller. In the winter I place staves near a baseboard radiator. Unassisted wood dries at the rate if 1 year per inch. Jawge

[ChristopherO]

Coaster,
You've just had two answers from two different schools of bow making:  Fiberglass laminated bows of KennyM and board/self all wood bows from George T.  It depends on what you want to build and how fast you want to get it finished.  
The Laminated bows don't have to be heatcured but, as KennyM stated above, it is a precaution to the glue giving way on hot days, especially stored in an hot enviornment.  
The all wood self/board bow staves can be cured over time without the hotbox but can, also, be speeded up with carefully applied heat.  
It all depends on what you want.  Hope this helps.

Oh, yes, personally, I've used the hotbox to dry wood and make venison jerky!  So I like the hotbox.  :D

[coaster500]

I would be interest in building Laminated Bow someday. Most likely a R/D design. I've tried and can not shoot a self bow worth sour beans    

I live in California and blacktail season here is in July and August so it is hot.
It's interesting to me that glues would separate at curing temps? I am limited in space but could set up a drying box.

Kenny thank you for the scientific data...

” I know a strung longbow on a black bed liner in a pickup will blow in 2 hours!! Please don't ask how I know this....."

I will avoid pick up beds with bed liners like the plague    


Thanks you guys you have been very helpful

Kip

[coaster500]

ChristopherO, jerky Hmmmmmmm I like multi use appliances  

[Roy Steele]

With white wood selfbows I like to put them I a hot box.At low temps as I build it.Keeps the white wood from sucking up the humity's in the air.Helps with string follow untill you finish and sell it.