HICKORY SELF BOW

[Lee Lobbestael]

Hey guys I just finished a 63" 48lb@26" self bow. I cut the wood last summer but I know that hickory holds onto its moisture. I have a feeling that it is still holding onto a little judging by the arrow speed and the string follow. Would it be safe to put the bow in my attic tommorow? It is supposed to be 80 degrees and the attic probably gets up to ninety five or a hundred. would this lower the moisture slightly? I have not put any type of finish on it yet.

[Dano]

With Hickory I would keep it dry during the whole build, it helps reduce string follow and cast. You might temper the belly as Marc St. Louis demonstrates in TBB IV before you put some finish on.

[George Tsoukalas]

A little time in the attic would probably be ok, Lee. But it just doesn't feel right for your bow. If it's wet and the moisture leaves too fast you may get some drying cracks. Yo could try it but monitor it.  Leave it near the AC for a bit is what I'd do. I'd be leery about heat treating wood that may be wet for the same reason. How much set? Jawge

[Lee Lobbestael]

The ac might have the same effect? It has about 3.5 to 4 inches of set right after I unstring it.

[pappy]

I would put it on some type of  sealer on the  
back then put it on some type of form to pull it into some reflex then put it in front of an ac duct and leave it a week or 2.Then heat treating will help. When you are done heat treating it give it a few days to rehydrate and then seal
good befor getting it back out.When you aren't shooting it keep in a dry place.I like around
ac or heater duct in the winter.Hard to get Hickory to dry.
   Pappy

[ChristopherO]

"The ac might have the same effect?"

Yes, Lee, the A/C draws moisture out of the air, just like a furnace but without the heat.

[George Tsoukalas]

Now the damage (belly collapse)  has happened and not likely to be reversed. Set happens. Jawge

[Roy Steele]

Jawge is right,I keep mine in a hot box as I build it.