Tempering core lams

[stillhunter]

Just wondering. How many of you temper bamboo lams?I have built quite a few bamboo core bows over the years and never have but some highend bowyers do so. What do you think?Also although bamboo is a grass would other woods benefit from tempering.You that do temper how do you do it?Thanks.

[Flem]

This is fairly comprehensive;

http://www.powerfibers.com/BAMBOO_IN_THE_LABORATORY.pdf

[Pat B]

The belly lam would probably be the only lam that should be tempered.

[stillhunter]

Thanks Flem.Very interesting take Pat but makes sense.

[bigbob2]

I used both natural and "coffee" 'boo flooring and anecdotally believe the 'coffee' has already been heat treated over and above the natural. I also "believe' the coffee presented a slightly better performing bow. but don't have any chrono figures to substantiate this.On another note I have to almost curtail my bow building after an almighty health scare. I hope to still make the occasional on,perhaps more self bows. Years of working without dust extraction, only a particle mask may have left me compromised.all my tests have returned negative but some symptoms persist. So guys really look after yourself , in the end the only thing we all really need is our health.

[stillhunter]

Thanks bigbob2.My brother in law has been turning wood and making furniture for years and just had his first bad reaction from cocobolo. He is done with that wood. So I guess we never know.