tips for making a self bow recurve

[bowur]

Hey, i was wondering if anybody has much experience with making a self bow recurve using steam to bend it. Any information on the steaming and clamping time would be helpful and what the form should look like. Also if you could give me any information on the dimensions of your bow. I have some hickory and ash boards that range from 5 to 6 feet and 1.5-2" wide that I would like to use. Thanks

[ChristopherO]

With those woods I would use the 2" boards.  If you conduct a search there should be plenty of threads about dry and steam bending.  Seems the winter is when the majority of the bending takes place!

[Pat B]

Most white woods bend better with steam. I would use a stave and not a board. I know recurves can be made using boards but your chance of failure are likely, especially for a new bowyer.
  If the wood is dry(seasoned) shellac the area to be bent as to not add moisture back into the wood.
  This is one of my recurve forms;