bending limbs for a recurve

[Hat Creek]

I want to try and bend wood to make a recurve as was done in the April/May issue of PA on page 13.  My questions are, do I steam the wood or actually boil it, and how long should I keep it clamped?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Pat B]

Hat, first off, what wood are you dealing with?  A good rule of thumb is...dry heat for dry wood, wet heat for wet wood!     Generally when I heat straighten wood or recurve limb tips I like to keep the wood in a form until tomorrow. That way I am sure the wood has completely cooled inside and out.    Pat

[Hat Creek]

I am using dry hichory.  When you say dry heat are you talking about a heat gun?

[Auggie]

Yep,a heat gun works very well,I was amazed the 1st time I saw it used on osage ,and that stave moved like butter melting! So try it out,I suggest a little cooking oil,and go easy,dont hold it in one spot too long.

[DanaM]

Hickory isn't going to respond like osage does to heat. I think for a recurve sealing the area to be bent
in shellac and steaming it will give better results. Just my opinion.

[Hillbilly]

I have always had better luck with steaming for drastic bends like static recurves, especially in whitewood. With osage or locust, dry heat and grease works well.

[Pat B]

I would do as Dana suggested and seal the area to be bent with shellac(not varnish) first before steaming or boiling. The shellac will prevent the moisture from the steam from entering the dry wood and shellac isn't effected by the moisture or heat but can be scraped or sanded off later.     Pat

[Hat Creek]

Thank you all for your valuable input

Hat Creek

[Judson]

   I have built a lot of Penobscot bows both recurves and static recurves.  I found that for bending the wood this bending tank I made from a Brownell's blueing tank workes great.   I use a brass strap on the belley of the limbs so fibers do not lift.   I either use a form or blocke to get the bend I want.    The tank is filled with water ad I get it boiling, you can tell when the wood is ready to bend because when you flex it there is no "springy" feel to it.    This usually takes about 15 minuits of cooking at full boil.    When ready crank in the bend slowly counting the turns so you can duplicate the same bend on the other limb.

[DirtyDan]

Nice rig.  I am going to try that.