Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PeteDavis on December 11, 2010, 09:38:45 am
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I see here the use of a heat gun to modify osage staves.
What temperature range should a heat gun be capable of for bowbuilding purposes?
PD
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Hot! My heat gun is a cheap B&D I got from a garage sale. It has 2 settings and I use the hot one. ;D The lower setting would work but take longer to heat the wood. Probably any heat gun will get hot enough for the job but some heat guns are trash and won't last very long. The Harbour Freight is one I have heard to stay away from.
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I bought one from Home Depot. It has 2 settings-hot and hotter. :) Jawge
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I use a two setting Wagner from Lowe's. The one in the picture is my second. I found if you drop one on a concrete floor enough times they will quit working and you will have to buy another one. Keep this model off the concrete and it will last forever.
I made the holder to keep the gun in between uses, keeps it from being knocked off on the concrete and prevents most accidental burns to the user.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/heatgunholder.jpg)
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A 1500 watt would be perfect. But you're probably talking more way more cash. Standard for most heat guns is about 1000w that are relatively cheap. For about 45 bucks you can get the multi-temp up to 1250w from Wagner.
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I got one with digital heat control so that I could heat the wood in a controlled maner and learn what temperatures to use.
Del
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pete iv got one i picked up on flea bay for 5 bucks 5 or 6 years ago it has 900 and 1200 setting i leave it on 1200 never found a piece of osage i couldnt bend with it and iv done a bunch thats all ya need brock