More fuming experiments (update 2!)

[Carson (CMB)]

That is awesome I might have to try this out. Explain what u did with the white pigment. What was used? How you applied it?

On ring-porous wood you can simply rub fine pigment into the open pores of the early wood prior to sealing. 

Simson, those are gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing your experiments!

[IdahoMatt]

Man those look great.  Love the color.
Would it be possible to show pics of your setup?

[simson]

Well, here is a photo shooting of a 5 day fuming procedure:

day 1



day 2



day 3



day 4



day 5



and this was the setup: an old paint can + a foil from the kitchen, I do not know the exact name for it. It is used for broiling in the oven.




Wasn't pleased with it and got my hands on a thicker plastic tube. Disadvantage is it isn#T that clear like the other, but it does the job.The end with the wire is hanging on the ceiling, the bow hangs freely in the tube on the cord (see my finger), the other end has a matching pot for the ammonia and is just reaching the floor. I think the pics explain all, and I have no need to struggle for more words.
Let know your results guys ….

[IdahoMatt]

Thanks Simon.  Your words were great.  Very nice setup. 

[Willibow]

Beautiful Simson. Your pictures are a great help and are very much appreciated!  Does the string used to hang the bow mask the wood under the string and prevent it from reacting with the ammonia vapors?  I'm heat treating the second limb of my bow tonight and will attempt to fume it later this week.

[mikekeswick]

I've had an osage bow in a tube for 3 days....I'm getting it out today and will post some pictures.

[Aaron H]

Simon, have you noticed any difference in the performance or other side effects from this fuming experiment now that it has been a couple months?

[simson]

Aaron, there are some side-effects.
1. the whole surface of the bow/stave gets smoother, like sanded with high grit paper
2. the wood is way more elastic after the fuming, like rubber - perhaps bendings could be done on cold wood (I didn't try, but will do)
3. and the wood gets darker and darker, of course
4. looking at Gun docs bug bomb thread: while fuming all insects were killed!!

So if you try the fuming, be sure to let the vaporized damps go out of your bow. This will last a few days! After that performance and weight is the same as before!

I will post some experimental bows, when I get a photographer

Good luck on yours

Simon

[lebhuntfish]

Very cool simson, I may have to try this one day! I wonder if you could put painters tape on the belly side or something to that effect to create a 2 toned look? Just an idea. Patrick

[simson]

Very cool simson, I may have to try this one day! I wonder if you could put painters tape on the belly side or something to that effect to create a 2 toned look? Just an idea. Patrick

Patrick, just go to: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,48632.0.html

[lebhuntfish]

Thank you Sir. I forgot about that one. I remember seeing it now. I'm definitely going to try this for sure. Thanks again, Patrick

[Aaron H]

Thank you Simon, I decided to give this method a try on my hunting bow for this year.  I just pulled a piece of osage that has fumed for 3 1/2 days.  It turned a shade very close to your day 4 picture. I will leave it alone for a few more days and then I will put a some arrows through it.  What a neat experiment this has been,  Thank you for this thread.

[briarjumper12]

I would like to try this. Where do you get the ammonia in a 25% concentration?
Also, has anyone tried it on sugar maple?

[AndrewS]

@briarjumper12

in Geermany you can ammonia in the pharmacy.
I think you will need a wood with tannin - Osage, Oak, Black locust, ...


@simson
have you tried to oil  the wood directly with ammonia?

[briarjumper12]

@briarjumper12

in Geermany you can ammonia in the pharmacy.
I think you will need a wood with tannin - Osage, Oak, Black locust, ...


@simson
have you tried to oil  the wood directly with ammonia?

I am still looking for a local source of ammonia with high enough concentration. I read on a furniture building forum that to make fuming effective in maple they were staining it it with tea before fuming. The tea adds tannins apparently. I am gonna give this a try once I track down the right ammonia. I could order it off the web but shipping is outrageous because it is hazardous.