Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hillbilly on January 15, 2008, 09:25:48 pm

Title: Bending ERC?
Post by: Hillbilly on January 15, 2008, 09:25:48 pm

I've got me a nice stave of ERC that I traded Nugget out of, and I'm looking forward to trying it. I was wondering how easy/hard it is to heat bend? I'm thinking about making a gull-wing sinewed Plains-type bow from it, but I've never tried bending cedar.

Title: Re: Bending ERC?
Post by: cowboy on January 15, 2008, 09:44:45 pm

Hmmm, of interest to me. Totally worthless info to you Steve ;D, but I may try something like that in the near future ;).

Title: Re: Bending ERC?
Post by: mullet on January 15, 2008, 11:28:09 pm

   Steam it Steve, nice and slow. Bend it a little and steam it some more. I've broke a bunch by trying to bend it too much too quick.

Title: Re: Bending ERC?
Post by: Hillbilly on January 16, 2008, 08:51:09 am

Thanks, Eddie. I won't be making any drastic bends if I stick with my plan-just a little setback in the handle and maybe some deflex at midlimb. Is it back to check after steaming, or pretty stable?

Title: Re: Bending ERC?
Post by: Stickhead on January 16, 2008, 11:16:31 am

I've done some limited steam bending to the tips of an ERC bow.  It was mostly sapwood, which I've heard is more tolerant of bending.  The heartwood is so brittle that I've never had the guts to bend it.  I'll do some experimenting on scraps one of these days.  Please post anything you learn for the rest of us!

Title: Re: Bending ERC?
Post by: mullet on January 16, 2008, 09:30:15 pm

  Steve, seal the back. It will check on you after steaming. It seems to dry very fast.