propeller twist question

[riverrat]

have a bow im working on. its American elm. problem is it has dried into a propeller twist just past the handle on one end. ive been trying heat bending and it aint working at all. any advice. this will make a beautiful bow, i need that twist out.maybe soak it for a long time then heat it? maybe steam? anyone use American elm? thanks Tony

[Josh B]

Soaking will more than likely just cause you more problems later. I would seal it up and steam it.  I'm kinda surprised that dry heat isn't working on it.  Some staves are just stubborn I guess.  Josh

[riverrat]

me too, ive always used dry heat, well greased but dry none the less. it aint working. Tony

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't worry about prop twists unless they are really severe.  This one was not too bad. My goodness; this was a long time ago. I gave this bow away to a friend. Jawge
http://traditionalarchery101.com/aerobow.html

[Pappy]

I guess Steam as Doc said, never used American Elm but have used quite a bit of Winged Elm and it always works great with dry heat. Some don't mind a little and propeller twist and as long as the string stays on it will shoot fine. I for one can't stand it and have to get it out one way or the other.
 Pappy

[Thunder]

I'm surprised dry heat isn't doing it for you, I use American Elm all the time. How bad is the twist? (Pics?)
If you dont mind me asking, what kind of set up are you using?

Cheers
Thunder

[DC]

I haven't work with elm but any wood I have worked has responded well to steam, especially for twist. I try and use the steam in a plastic bag method. That way you can bend it while it's steaming. No worries about it cooling off.

[bradsmith2010]

yes it will shoot well if the string stays on,,so it is more about personal preference beyond that,,I have not worked with that wood, but sounds like if you heat or steam longer it may give in a bit heres one with a bit of twist,, I just made it to see if it would work,, shot fine,,

[simson]

You should use steam particularly.
Clamp the stave in a vice, prevent bending downwards with a stick, use a clamp with a weight to get a momentum.
Hope that makes sense for you. I have some pictures on a thread here but cannot remember where.

[mullet]

Wet rags and a Microwave oven will do the trick. About 30 seconds a limb.

[nakedfeet]

... How do you fit a bow in a microwave?

[Dakota Kid]

 

Put the rags in. Then put the hot rags on the limb. 

[bowandarrow473]

I would use steam. I just cut some American Elm yesterday (don't even ask how sore I am from carrying a 200 lb log through a marsh and then floating it across a creek with a canoe) but if the twist. Not so bad, I would leave it as it is.

[mullet]

Take a Microwave for $5 from a yard sale or flea market. Then cut a 2" hole through the tin cover with a hole saw and insert your piece of wood.

[Bowmonk]

I have had success at slightly removing some propeller twist from the limbs... but even batter what will not come out of the limbs... take it out in the handle... have your handle pretty close to final size... steam or heat gun it and clamp close to the fades and use a pipe wrench on the other fade and let the handle take the bulk of the correction.