Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bjrogg on January 01, 2017, 12:24:51 am

Title: Check From Steaming?
Post by: bjrogg on January 01, 2017, 12:24:51 am

I've been working on a really nice HHB stave and steamed the tips. Everything went great but today I noticed 3 checks on the back. I'm not sure but I think I can soak some thin super glue in them. I sure hope I can save this one I'm expecting good things from this stave.
Bjrogg

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 01, 2017, 12:31:33 am

Looks like drying cracks, bjrogg. They are usually not a problem unless they run off the edge. I've had a fair share of those.. Jawge

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: bjrogg on January 01, 2017, 12:36:19 am

Thanks George i didn't notice them till after steaming but maybe they just showed up more. So should I soak some super glue in them?
Bjrogg

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: chamookman on January 01, 2017, 05:15:48 am

Wouldn't hurt anything. Bob

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on January 01, 2017, 07:26:31 am

Just curious how long you steamed it and the moisture content of the stave prior?

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: osage outlaw on January 01, 2017, 07:30:06 am

Did you seal the bow with anything before steaming?

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: simson on January 01, 2017, 07:45:50 am

drying checks caused from steaming!
To avoid: like Clint suggested sealing, for example with shellac (learned that from Carson), another good thing is to hide it under foil immediately after clamping on the caul

Title: Re: Check From Steaming?
Post by: bjrogg on January 01, 2017, 08:13:18 am

Dances with squirrels I harvested this stave a week before Marshall last year. I don't have moisture tester and wasn't monitoring weight but seemed at least as dry as my previous HHB bow builds. The 1st limb I steamed for 1hr and it worked great. I also toasted the belly on this limb a day before steaming it. The second limb I steamed a hour but it must not have been boiling enough and wouldn't bend so I turn heat up and steamed it another 35 minutes. That time it bent nice like the 1st limb.

Clint I didn't seal limb since I harvested in May of 16 and put 3 coats of water base poly acrylic on it. Perhaps not the best choice of sealing for steaming.

Simson I think you could have found my biggest of the sins I made here. Not only did I not cover the limb with foil after bending but I toasted the belly from edge of steam line to the handle.
Thanks so much guys I'm still always learning here and it's nice when I make a mistake I really don't know what went wrong that someone can point out the error of my ways.
Happy 2017
Bjrogg