Straightening Shafts

[ncpat]

I have read here & elsewhere about straightening bamboo or dowel shafts by steam or other heat, & flexing them to remove the bend. I used to read that a lot of Indian arrow makers straightened shafts by heating & hanging from a limb, with a rock tied to the bottom. Any reason that would not work today? I would think heating & hanging overnight would make a shaft as straight as possible.

[wasanchez]

I was actually talking to father in law about that a couple of weeks ago.  I haven't tried it but he said he knew some people that would hang cinder blocks from cane shafts to straighten them.  I don't see why it wouldn't work for other types of shafting as well. I think he said they would hang it green and let it dry that way.  I plan on trying next time I cut cane.

Walt

[Pat B]

Cane and wood shafts are easy to straighten with a little heat(dry heat not steam) and hand pressure. It just takes time to do.   I think if you could straighten a shaft by hanging it with weights you are still gonna have to hand straighten some.

[wasanchez]

He did say they still weren't perfect.

Walt

[crooketarrow]

  If you hang them and I have with bricks. When take off they''ll still flex back to there aridigional bend. Dry heat and your hands can't be beat. AFTER THAT YOU DO'N'T NEED TO HANG THEM.