Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Key on May 21, 2008, 05:32:50 pm
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I put three sections of six inch stove pipe together and I am going to place a light bulb in and cap the ends. I read where this is one way to take the mosture out of a stave. Questions.
What temp. should I shoot for inside the pipe, size of light bulb if you will?
How long should a floor tillered bow or blank stave be left in the pipe?
Should I use the pipe to remover mosture before I heat treat the belly of my bows?
Thanks in advance for the help.
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Roger, You will have to play with the temp. You will have good air movement with a stove pipe and heat about 90deg to about 110 will be fine. Start with a 40 watt bulb. The best way to tell if the M/C of your bow has reached equilibrium is to weigh it every other day and when it stops loosing weight, its ready. With a stove pipe you should flip the bow every day to dry both limbs evenly.
You only want to heat treat dry wood or you will cause drying checks(cracks). Pat
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Thanks Pat, I have the stove pipe project complet now. I put a thermometer and humidity gage through one side in the middle. The bulb is at one end so I will rotate the bow every day as you mentioned. I am going to let the bulb on all night and see what the temp is in the morning. No bow in the pipe at this point.
I have a good set of plans for a real nice hot box that includes a thermostate. I need to make time to build it. The pipe was quick and easy for now.
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Roger..........Ifn ya put another bulb in the other end ya wont have ta flip the stave end ta end. Or a fan, go ta a auto parts store ya can find a small fan used in vehicles. Ifn ya move air over the wood it will dry faster and wont check. Kinna like dryin' clothes on a line outside in the wind si ? ;D I have a 8 " pipe dryer with a center section that I can open er close as needed. Funny, built it but never use it ! Duh ! ;D Cost me about $25..............bob