Heat bending limbs

[wolfshadow]

I need to bend a section of a top limb on an Osage bow. But it is tillered to proper weight, nearly done sanding, but not finished. Can I bend it a quarter if an inch to help line up my string through the center of the handle? I'll use a heat gun. And, if I should try it, what type of oil should I use?   

[Mad Max]

any cooking oil.

Is the  string lining up out side or inside the handle?
pictures

[Pat B]

If the string is within the handle and on the correct side, I'd leave it alone. A little twist isn't a problem with a selfbow like it would be with a glass bow. Got any pics?

[Roy from Pa]

Is this with the bow braced that it happens or even when it isn't strung?

[Bowjunkie]

Bend it if you like. It won't hurt anything if done properly. No oil needed. I've made hundreds of heat corrections... never used oil once. 

[Mad Max]

They use oil at MoJam, Maybe at the Tn. Classic
Just don't over heat it

[Pat B]

I've done corrections with and without oil. I usually use it to help prevent scorching the wood and I think it helps hold the heat in and helps distribute more evenly. Either way will work. I have used olive oil and canola oil because that's what we have on hand. Any oil or fat will work but a heat correction may not be necessary.

[Bowjunkie]

With all due respect Pat, I find it hard to believe oil does what you say it does. I never, ever scorch the wood without oil while making a correction, not even a tiny bit. Won't do that to my bows. The heat is distributed evenly by the way I run the gun and only needs retained until the bend is made, which is often also when I shut the gun off.... sometimes I'm making the bend as I'm running the gun. Depends.

It's all good. I don't care if everyone but me greases their bows up, I'll never do it, or advocate it. My experience has shown me too many times that it's unnecessary.

[Eric Krewson]

One thing to remember is the handle bend won't be 1/4", a fractional bend in the handle with magnify the tip movement tremendously.

Bend that handle, it will take a lot less then you think to move the string over 1/4".

I don't use oil but I do use a reflector to distribute and concentrate the heat.

[wolfshadow]

Thanks for the tips, Guys. I clamped and heated the bowed section and brought in line with arrow shelf. Moved it about 1/2 inch. Didn't use oil.