Heat tempering my locust bow

[Don Armstrong]

Boy, I've had a lot of questions lately  :p . I really appricate the help you guys are giving me. I made a bow out of a locust tree we cut in the back yard and it came out at 30 lbs. so I decided to heat temper it and see how much weight I could add. I cooked it till it was a dark brown, well almost black. Two questions. Is there a quick wat to rehydrate or do I need some patients for 10 days. Also, can I sand the belly to get some of the color out without losing ant weight.Thanks again, Don

[Pat B]

Depending on the R/H in your area a week should be enough. The wood has to absorb the moisture, you can't force it in. You can sand down the "loose" char on the belly without reducing any weight but not all the color.

[Don Armstrong]

Thanks Pat, It is about like NC here. I may ere on the safe side and give it about 10 days. I was hoping I could clean the belly up a little. Thanks, Don

[Don Armstrong]

Well, I took it out of the form today. NOT GOOD. When heating I didn't notice the heat was going under my form and the back has some pretty bad char like the belly. This one will probably go boom when I try it. Next time I will temper and then put it in my form. Lessons are lurned the hard way some times. Don