Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Flashman on March 13, 2010, 01:18:35 pm

Title: Burnish or not?
Post by: Flashman on March 13, 2010, 01:18:35 pm
My 64" Vine Maple bow is almost tillered.  I have not pulled it to full draw but guess the final draw weight will be close to my target of 55 pounds.  I have been doing the final tiller for 2 months being every so careful not to do what I usually do and take off too much wood.  I have about 1" of deflex and have tried very hard not to over-compress the belly wood in order to minimize set and reduce performance.  It started out with about 2 to 2 1/2"s of deflex. 

My question is this.  Should I heat burnish the belly?  I know I will have to adjust the tiller again but is it worth it in terms of performance.   I really want good cast from this bow.  With my last bow, Hazelnut, it made a big difference but I had probably compressed the belly too much before heat treating.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Burnish or not?
Post by: Pat B on March 13, 2010, 01:23:23 pm
Heat tempering(not burnishing) will add compression strength and whitewoods seem to benefit most from it. Tempering before too much set occurs would be the most successful method. I have never worked maple so take my advise for what it's worth.
Title: Re: Burnish or not?
Post by: Gordon on March 13, 2010, 01:26:54 pm
I've had good success belly tempering vine maple.
Title: Re: Burnish or not?
Post by: El Destructo on March 13, 2010, 02:10:42 pm
You meant to say.....Reflex....not Deflex...didn't you?   I have never had a Bow lose Deflex while Tillering....As for Heat Treating the Belly.... Vine Maple does very well when Heated...jmo
Title: Re: Burnish or not?
Post by: Flashman on March 14, 2010, 02:44:07 pm
You're right, reflex.