Explinations for heat treating please?

[Elktracker]

I have Vine Maple, Cascara, Yew and Oceanspray im working with I got a new heat gun and have been doing some bending of seasoned staves with good results. My question to u all are, What are the puposes and uses of heat treating the belly of a bow? How will it affect the woods I named? and is there any good links to threads or info that will explain the process of heat treating a bow? Thank you all for replys in advance and please if u have any info on this matter at all please post it up thanks

[Grunt]

I've heat treated the bellys of several bows. I was looking to increase the compression strength of the wood of those bows. So far so good.s

[Pat B]

Heat treating can improve the compression properties of compression weaker woods.   In TBBIV, Marc St Louis wrote a chapter explaining the process and it's values. If you don't have this book it has lots of very good bow building info. You might be able to find it at your local library or maybe they can get it on inhouse loan from another library.

[Elktracker]

ok ill try that thanks

[Del the cat]

I didn't really believe in heat treating at first because my initial tests didn't show any improvement and information seemed in short supply.
I made the mistake of heating too quick too fast and not allowing the wood time to re-hydrate.
Now I know it works, having bought a temperature controlled heat gun.
I found that between 350 and 400 degrees C was needed and it's a slow process (30-45mins per limb), also allow a couple of days minimum for the wood to recover, longer if you are somewhere with low humidity.
Del