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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: sam barrett on July 25, 2021, 05:56:11 PM

Title: What temperature and how long
Post by: sam barrett on July 25, 2021, 05:56:11 PM
Hey guys, getting ready to build my first bow. Have everything ready, but the heat box. What temperature should I be at when curing the smooth on and how long? Thanks!
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: kennym on July 25, 2021, 06:17:58 PM
There will be many answers,  I heat mine to 180 for 4 hours.

Except my hunting bow of last 5 years, it only got 70 for 24 just to see. No fail yet but I don't leave it in a hot truck or in sun...
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Mad Max on July 25, 2021, 06:36:23 PM
http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=176450.0
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Robertfishes on July 25, 2021, 06:47:06 PM
Right or wrong....I have settled on 5 hours at 160 degrees. I use a timer, when timer shuts off the heat in the form will still cook the bow a little longer..I leave the form in oven to slowly cool back down to ambient (room) temperature. So far no failed bows or warped forms.
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Mad Max on July 25, 2021, 06:59:42 PM
Quote from: Robertfishes on July 25, 2021, 06:47:06 PM
Right or wrong....I have settled on 5 hours at 160 degrees. I use a timer, when timer shuts off the heat in the form will still cook the bow a little longer..I leave the form in oven to slowly cool back down to ambient (room) temperature. So far no failed bows or warped forms.

X2
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Flem on July 25, 2021, 09:27:06 PM
Follow the directions on the can of EA-40 and you should be successful :thumbsup:
Also a lot of good info to be had on the Smooth-On website.
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Jeff Freeman on July 28, 2021, 11:11:22 AM
I have a temperature limit switch in mine got it from Bingham. 150-180° JF
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Shredd on July 28, 2021, 11:48:02 AM
  110 to 120* for 5 hours...
Title: Re: What temperature and how long
Post by: Jeff Freeman on July 28, 2021, 12:14:31 PM
I used to bake it for 4 hours. The smooth on starts to kick in a hour, at 180°  Now I bake for 2 hours. I use a timer for outdoor lights. Case I'm not going to be there which I would rather be there. This way at least shuts itself off. I preheat bring it up to temperature, then I reset my timer when I put my bow in the box. JF