Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: joachimM on February 23, 2015, 12:29:28 pm

Title: Easy steamer
Post by: joachimM on February 23, 2015, 12:29:28 pm

Steam cookers are superb for steaming bow sections prior to bending. Found this one second hand for 5€. Cut two holes in the side of the plastic container, set the timer and relax.

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: koan on February 23, 2015, 12:41:51 pm

Awesome!..... Brian

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: Drewster on February 23, 2015, 01:06:06 pm

Great idea!

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: Aaron H on February 23, 2015, 01:07:40 pm

Sweet

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: DC on February 23, 2015, 01:08:58 pm

How long will it steam for? I don't think I've seen one of those over here. Something else to put on my list. :D

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: Aaron H on February 23, 2015, 01:10:49 pm

I use a garment steamer and a plastic storage container, works great

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: Carson (CMB) on February 23, 2015, 01:39:25 pm

That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: joachimM on February 23, 2015, 04:44:47 pm

Quote from: DC on February 23, 2015, 01:08:58 pm

How long will it steam for? I don't think I've seen one of those over here. Something else to put on my list. :D

Anything from a few min to an hour. I steamed tips of a black locust 30 min and recurved them, worked fine.
Minor limb corrections sometimes require less than 15 min.

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: sieddy on February 23, 2015, 04:57:16 pm

You legend- top tip!

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: Chadwick on February 23, 2015, 07:45:49 pm

Based on Falcon's post, I bought a clothing steamer today and dremeled out the side of a rubbermaid to fit the steamer head and a bow limb. That plus a cloth to block excess steam loss, and then I practiced on a piece of mulberry which bent beautifully! I now have an osage tip on the caul after steaming it in there for 40 minutes. It bent well, with a wee bit of damage. My caul is a 4.5" PVC pipe, clamped to the side of an "anvil". I'll need to go get a 5" metal pipe to upgrade it. I also blow on it with the heat gun while I'm bending it, figure it won't hurt.

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 23, 2015, 08:55:44 pm

Love this bunch of clever folks that hang around here and share their brainstorms!

Title: Re: Easy steamer
Post by: DC on February 23, 2015, 09:35:33 pm

Bending wood is very satisfying. You just want to bend more and more :D