Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: JacksonCash on February 10, 2016, 10:01:05 am

Title: Fun with amonia
Post by: JacksonCash on February 10, 2016, 10:01:05 am

I know some folks have been playing with amonia fuming bows for color, but has anyone considered it for shaping?
Apparently it can be quite effective, see the video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z0SsAyHKzc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z0SsAyHKzc)

Title: Re: Fun with amonia
Post by: Pat B on February 10, 2016, 12:20:44 pm

Seems a bit dangerous and expensive for home use.

Title: Re: Fun with amonia
Post by: JacksonCash on February 10, 2016, 12:22:10 pm

Very possibly.

Title: Re: Fun with amonia
Post by: joachimM on February 10, 2016, 01:06:21 pm

That's the main reason I'd ever use it. The advantage is that it rearranges the wood at a molecular level, and the result is much less strain on the wood when bent. Basically, you can bend wood further with ammonia than with heat. Heat/steam-bent wood will try to recover its initial shape when reheated (eg during heat treatment). Not with ammonia.
But we are rarely confronted with situations that steam or dry heat cannot handle and which only ammonia could.