Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: zenmonkeyman on March 26, 2010, 08:03:56 pm

Title: Heat treat after backing?
Post by: zenmonkeyman on March 26, 2010, 08:03:56 pm
I'm finishing up a sapling bow, and there's a natural deflex kink just above the handle that's taking some set even though I left the stick almost round in that spot.  I'd like to harden the kink with some heat, but I've already backed it with rawhide and knox.  Can I heat treat?  or will I damage the glue?  Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Heat treat after backing?
Post by: jthompson1995 on March 26, 2010, 08:17:02 pm
I've never done this myself but I believe with knox glue and rawhide you should be OK treating the belly as long as you don't heat the glue or rawhide too much. It can heat up some and may soften but will harden again when it cools, just don't get it too hot and make sure it stays attached after it is heated.
Title: Re: Heat treat after backing?
Post by: zenmonkeyman on March 26, 2010, 08:38:23 pm
Cool!  Thanks!
Title: Re: Heat treat after backing?
Post by: Josh on March 26, 2010, 08:44:19 pm
Personally I wouldnt do it but if I absolutely had to I would heat treat it and then temporarily wrap that spot with something to hold pressure untill the glue re-hardens.  Just a bit of insurance from it de-lamming in that spot.   :)
Title: Re: Heat treat after backing?
Post by: zenmonkeyman on March 26, 2010, 11:21:18 pm
Well I did it, and the glue did move on me.  Thankfully I had a generous overlap of rawhide in an attempt to strengthen the kink, so overall I got a positive result.  I finished up 50#@30", an improvement over my last bow, and the tiller is much less embarrassing, too!  It's quite a bit heavier than I think it should be by the mass principle, and much heavier than my last saskatoon bow, so I'm interested to see if I gained anything as measured in arrow speed.  I have room to pike if I need to, as I'm 70.5" t2t.  Thanks JT and Josh!