steam bending hickory

[bigcountry]

I have tried and tried to steam bend hickory and it doesn't seem to like to bend like osage.  Kinda hesitate to use dry heat now until its dried out good.

Anyone else have trouble with hic?

[BOWMAN53]

hickory bends better if you boil it.

[bubby]

I posted this a while back give it a try works great, 20 mins per 1/4" thickness http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,44053.msg593455.html#msg593455

[VicNova]

Yeah, definitely boil them. I boil each tip for an hour and never have trouble.

[mwosborn]

x2 what bubby said.

[NeolithicMan]

I get the hickory to near finished dimensions and then place it over a pot with a tinfoil lid conformed to the wood and top o the pot. steam it for a half hour and when bending, put a piece of sheet metal over the bending part on yhe outer side of the curve (if its a recurve) to hold the splinters down.

Just my way I can see others have some kool ideas I need to try

[okie64]

Ive had pretty good luck bending mild curves in hickory with steam but Ive never had luck bending it with dry heat. It cracks every time.

[bigcountry]

Thanks guys, i will give it a try.