recurve tipform build-a-long

[broketooth]

no where near as bad bernie. like pat brennen, and john scrifres have been sayind anywhere from 1/2"- 5/8" thick from back to belly is optimum.i really feel good about it, we shall see. as you know , nothing is a sure thing. ruddy

[ber643]

LOL - you got that right!

[Pat B]

Ruddy, You are coming along nicely and picking this stuff up quickly. Half inch thick is about what I like but have bent a bit thicker. More chance of it splintering when thicker. Heat slowly and thoroughly and let the wood get plastic before bending. I always use oil when bending recurves to prevent scorching, deliver the heat more evenly and hold the heat longer. If the wood is thicker or a bit stubbern to bend heat it well and wrap in alum foil for about 5 minutes and heat again to bend. This will give the heat time to go deep into the wood.
 Have your metal band as tight as possible before you begin to bend. As you bend the tips the band tightens and adds pressure around the outside of the bend helping to prevent splintering.
 Save your test piece. Before you know it you will have enough confidence to tiller it!!! d;^)

[Sixby]

Are you heating by steaming the wood or using a heat gun. Just curious. I would think steaming somehow would heat it deeper and be less destructive to the wood fiber but I might be all wrong. I have never done this before.

[Pat B]

Sixby, he is using a heat gun. Osage reacts very well to dry heat. Other woods like hickory do better with steam.