Heat Gun vs Steam for recurving bow limbs

Hello fellow bowyers!
I have been thinking about this one for a while but when it comes to recurving your bow, there are a few ways to do this. In this video, I discuss the differences between using steam or heat from a heat gun to bend in those sweet recurves into your bow.
I would like to add that I didn't cover everything so if you have more questions about recurving, please add them in the comment section below or find me on Instagram or Facebook at Bowtell Bows.
Best of luck to you all!

[@martarmis]

Good video! I share the same preferences than you for reflexing and adjusting. Great explanations I really liked it! When removing twist though I always put the recurves pointing towards the floor. It makes it easier heating only the belly and the pression needed for the correction will not risk to undo partial reflex. Good video thank you!

[@BowtellBows]

I appreciate the feedback and will try placing the tips down next time. I think at that point, over heating the belly is less of an issue because it will either be scraped away or heat treated anyway

[@seanhoward7069]

Great video! Good advice and explanations! I love how you didnt edit out any of the awkward moments 😂 made me laugh a few times cause i can imagine how awkward the whole content creation/talking to a camera lens life can get. It was a nice break from the usual creators with their edit witchcraft. Keep on keepin on my guy. You got my follow.

[@BowtellBows]

Thank you! Just being myself I guess

[@johnt.chambers4204]

I know guys who prefer steam and guys who prefer heat guns. Each would argue that their method is the best way. I have seen plenty of good bows that were bent both ways, so I am of the mind set that, heat is heat, and it is a matter of personal preference of the bow builder. I normally build straight bows, but on the rare occasion that I decide to recurve one, I use a combination. I steam the wood and clamp it in my mold. Then after it cools for a half hour or so, I remove all but the rear clamp and heat it up with the heat gun for a while. I feel like that is beneficial in that it drys out any moisture that remains from the steam. Probably not a necessary step but it is the way I do it.

[@BowtellBows]

Very good point and I agree. I think it just depends on how patient you are or what method ends up working for you. Thanks for the comment

[@Jimmie567]

And don,t forget a touch of the blarney ,,,

[@knolltop314]

Had best experience with steaming, using form to achieve desired bend, and then follow up with dry heat via heat gun. Dry heat seems to "set" bend . . . less spring-back when limb removed from form.

[@BowtellBows]

That is a really good point and I agree. I have burned a few limbs with the heat gun so careful application and attention is a good idea.

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Good stuff man 😎👍💯🔥🏹

[@DironMc]

Great video. Just 1 question, how about directly boiling the wood? Would that works as well as steambending?

[@BowtellBows]

Read about it but never tried it. It won’t get as hot as steam so might not bend as well as a steamed wood would

[@a_mustache_of_great_repute]

Steam, then heat gun to set and harden

[@joedaniels4646]

Great video! So if steaming limbs drys the wood out, should you soak it a bit or maybe put water on it. To get some moisture back in the limbs?

[@BowtellBows]

Wonderful question! You could put water on it I guess. I have never tried that. Instead I let the bow just rest in the ambient air so it will re-acclimate to the area humidity again. Could check before and after with a moisture meter just to be sure

[@joedaniels4646]

@@BowtellBows Thanks brother .... I'm in the process of making a 6 limb Penobscot bow and the little bow on top I'm looking to possibly deflex the limbs upwards slightly & recurve the ends very slightly. (It's all Red Oak wood) it will have the least amount of pressure on it compared to the 4 main limbs, but I'm just worried about it getting to brittle! Thanks again & God bless.

[@BowtellBows]

6 limb bow sounds pretty sweet and I wish you the best of luck with it. My experience with red oak has been that it is usually more brittle but I live in Utah where it is pretty dry so red oak gets too dry here though I haven’t tried it in a while.

[@DogsaladSalad]

I use steam too. I need to idiot proof my methods as much as possible and steam is just simple 😅

[@BowtellBows]

Completely agree! Heat guns have this purposes but steam don’t allow me as many opportunities to mess up

[@eastcoastlithics]

I needed this video, thanks!

[@BowtellBows]

Glad to hear it. Best of luck!

[@georgeksirakis8898]

IF YOU HAD A CRACK , WOULD YOU MEND ?? I MEAN GLUE IT UP , OR IS IT RUINED ??? THANKS

[@BowtellBows]

I have glued cracks on the belly before with success. Usually I keep the wood a little thicker than finished thickness so I can possibly scrape the crack out but in most cases I have seen, it was fixable.

[@georgeksirakis8898]

Thanks much

What's the board on the wall called?

[@BowtellBows]

It is a fabric board made out of cardboard I purchased at Joan’s. It can be found on Amazon as well but it is for cutting out patterns and works well for tillering

[@dalejones8541]

You can't post a video like this that's supposed to compare when you're completely biased

[@BowtellBows]

Interesting point. I do like the heat gun for straightening or fixing bending issues on a bow but I am biased towards steam for large bends. I think it works better for most woods I have used.