Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Frode on September 25, 2011, 10:48:58 pm

Title: bow-legged
Post by: Frode on September 25, 2011, 10:48:58 pm

Hi all,
This is a 72" elm board, sort of an Eiffel/pyramid/Mollegabet-ish thing, that's been doing its best not to get done in over a month and a half now.  I got started, but various family crises and emergencies and such saw it back in the pile.  Somewhere along that way, it ended up standing in a corner (I know, I know  :-[).  Anyhoo, I picked it back up today and started working on it again, and it has picked up a left to right curve.  Still flat and straight across the whole back, not a bit of twist, just this curve.  I'd say it's off by an inch max.  Any thoughts on the best way to straighten it out (besides "don't stand your lumber in the corner"  :D)?  I've never actually had one do this before.  Oh, and it has a glued on riser handle.
Thanks,
Frode
PS, sorry about the fuzzy pic, this little phone camera has distinct limitations, but I think you can still see the curve.

Title: Re: bow-legged
Post by: WolfPupTee on September 26, 2011, 01:43:41 am

I'd like to see the answers for this one as well...

Title: Re: bow-legged
Post by: Pat B on September 26, 2011, 02:55:19 am

Is the riser glued on with TB glue? If so you can heat it to make the glue fail, seperate it and continus heating the handle and fade areas and bend it back straight. Scrape, sand and reglue the handle.

Title: Re: bow-legged
Post by: Bohunter0908 on September 26, 2011, 02:59:33 am

I am actually making a elm bow from a stave
And have the same problem as you do
what I did is clamped the bow down flat on my
Bench I actually just did this today
So I don't know yet how well
It is going to work but I figured I woul try it
Its still fairly green so hopefully it will
Straighten out
if your wood is more seasoned you could try
A heat gun or steam chamber
I'm still pretty green to bow making so this is all trial and error
and stuff I've read but maybe it'll help ya hope so
       -Bo-
  Laporte TEXAS

Title: Re: bow-legged
Post by: mikekeswick on September 26, 2011, 04:43:49 am

Judicious use of a heat gun and clamps. Bend it past straight  and it should relax back to where you want it.

Title: Re: bow-legged
Post by: crooketarrow on September 26, 2011, 08:45:31 am

   It's not that bad if the curves towands the self side I'd forget it. Just makes it a little more center shot. The limbs will tiller out straight and be fine.

Title: Re: bow-legged
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 26, 2011, 11:07:07 am

It looks like a prop twist. Seems that the grain on that limb in the foreground goes left (?)  which is never a good thing. Hard to tell from the picture. If it is a grain issue you'll be fighting it even after heat straightening. Jawge