Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lost Arra on February 13, 2009, 06:59:28 pm

Title: Heating hackberry?
Post by: Lost Arra on February 13, 2009, 06:59:28 pm

I need to tweek a hackberry stave just a bit to get it to line up.

Any reason I can't use a heat gun just like I use on hedge?

This is my first hackberry bow. Got a nice supply thanks to a big ice storm last year.

Title: Re: Heating hackberry?
Post by: RG on February 13, 2009, 08:17:35 pm

yes you can heat it just like hickory,just rub it with oil like hickory and heat and bend.No problem.
    Pappy

Title: Re: Heating hackberry?
Post by: Pat B on February 13, 2009, 08:51:44 pm

I do not know from experience but I would imagine that hackberry would lend itself to heat treating(tempering). You could line things up and improve compression strengths all at once.

Title: Re: Heating hackberry?
Post by: sulphur on February 14, 2009, 08:54:39 am

i have made quite a few hackberry bows.  recurve, flat bows etc.  i have found that heating works ok but not as well as just a little steaming.  Hackberry is the easiest wood to steam that i have every worked with.  Once your bow is almost done it does respond well to tempering the belly.  Actually toasted hackberry smells real nice.  ltt me know you need help with dimesions.
(http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww279/sulphur7/CIMG1653.jpg)