Heat treating boo.

[wood carver 2]

This topic may have been covered before, but I have to ask. I'm building a bamboo backed tri lam with a cherry core and flooring bamboo belly. Would it be worthwhile to heat treat the backing before I glue up the bow? Am I right in thinking that this will temper the boo and add some poundage to the draw weight? One last question. Is it better to use a propane torch to carefully add heat or to use an electric heat gun?
Thanks all!    
Dave.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I'm not real sure so don't base your decision off this but I don't think you want to heat the backing for a boo backed bow.

 I think the only time you heat temper boo is for the belly.

 Might want to some research before torching your boo backing to make sure

[Roy from Pa]

Don't think I would do it.

[Pat B]

Kris is right. You heat treat boo for bellys but not for backs.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks guys for setting me straight. Do you heat it only if it's solid bamboo or can you temper sawn flooring boo?
Dave.

[Pat B]

The glue in the  flooring probably can't take the heat of heat treating.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks Pat. If that's the case, I'm ready for glue up.
Dave.

[Pat B]

Are you using the boo for the belly?  In the form it is in I don't think it is the best choice for belly wood.

[wood carver 2]

Pat, I'm using a slat of natural bamboo for the back and a thin strip of the flooring boo for the belly. It's very limber and free of flaws. I used flooring boo on my last bow and it worked out well. I never thought to ask if it might cause problems.    
would you use a slat of natural boo on the belly as well?
It's not too late, I haven't done any gluing yet.
Dave.

[Pat B]

The boo flooring would make a good core lam but for bellies I prefer compression strong woods like osage or ipe. Tempered boo will work for the belly(the tempering increases the compression strength) but you will have to come up with the correct thicknesses because you can't scrape the belly while tillering. You will be able to do a little from the sides but not the belly.

[wood carver 2]

Would a thin lam of hickory work as the belly? The problem with the bamboo I have is that it comes from fairly small diameter culms that I got from the garden centre. I can't plane it too thin because of this. My bamboo back is about 3/16" thick plus the cherry core that's 5/16" tapering to 1/16" and a walnut power lam that's 3/16". If hickory doesn't cut it I'll go back and see what I can find at the lumber dealer.
Dave.