reflexing wood

[david w.]

i have very limited experience in bow builing but i would like to reflex my next bow, nothing huge just flipping the tips  a little.
can i use a blowtorch to heat the wood as long as im careful

if this is out of my skill level please tell me

im almost done with my bow im making now just need to sand paint and finish it, should only take a couple days.

[Pat B]

David, Any heat source will work BUT! your skill level will make a difference. I use oil when I use dry heat. I think it helps to distribute the heat, hold the heat in the wood longer and will help keep it from scorching. When I flip the tips on a bow, I put it on the form, clamp the support strap and let gravity tell me when its time to bend. With osage I heat until the weight of the bow starts to pull the stave down. Then I pull it down, correcting to be sure the tip is straight than lash it to the form til morning.
   What wood are you using? that will make a difference.    Pat

[david w.]

red oak or black walnut

[DanaM]

I don't think I would use a torch an electric heat gun yes. You would have a tough time
not burning yer bow with open flame.

[Marc St Louis]

You could do it with a torch but you would have to protect the wood from a direct flame. Perhaps putting the tip in a steel pipe and heating that till the tip is hot

[MattE]

Marc, I like your idea of putting the limb in a pipe.Why haven't I thought of that in all these years I have been playing around with bows?

[Hillbilly]

I've bent wood with a blowtorch before I got a heatgun. If you put some crisco on it and then wrap the area in aluminum foil and be careful you should be fine.

[GregB]

I've also used a stove burner set on high. Have the belly area of the limb you want to bend around 12" above the burner. Also coat with cooking oil as Pat said. Make sure you have a pair of leather gloves for handling and are ready with form and clamps. Heat gun would be better though if you have one...

[david w.]

thanks for all the help.  i might try it once i make a few more bows.  i like hillbilly's  idea of the crisco and foil.  i also like the idea of using a pipe.   after i heat it how do i bend it.  My dad gets tons of free vises could i use those?

[Traxx]

Hey Hillbilly,
Tinfoil huh,Whoda thunk.
Youd think,after all the fish,ive cooked that way,id a thought to use it fer wood too.

[George Tsoukalas]

I wouldn't. Before I got a heat gun I used the kitchen range. I have a very understanding wife. I grease or oil the wood too. My bending is done using a vice. I try to keep it simple.  Jawge