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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: wolfshadow on August 17, 2023, 08:28:12 AM

Title: Oil for heat bending
Post by: wolfshadow on August 17, 2023, 08:28:12 AM

What oil should I use when using a heat gun to bend some Osage?

Title: Re: Oil for heat bending
Post by: Mad Max on August 17, 2023, 08:32:16 AM

Cooking oil is good  :thumbsup: no joke

Don't get any on the back of the bow

Title: Re: Oil for heat bending
Post by: Pat B on August 17, 2023, 09:07:49 AM

I've used olive oil and canola oil bow this.

Title: Re: Oil for heat bending
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on August 17, 2023, 09:50:58 AM

Depends on how far you’re bending it. Tight radius recurves I’ll use vegetable oil to keep the moisture from my steaming process from soaking in. Otherwise I don’t use any oil when bending wood. Especially with Osage, if the radius you’re bending is less than that of a steering wheel there’s no need to oil. Just Slowely apply heat with the heat gun. Keep applying gentle pressure and it’ll move when it’s ready. Forcing the wood to move before it’s hot enough throigh out is when it’ll crack.

Kyle

Title: Re: Oil for heat bending
Post by: Pat B on August 17, 2023, 10:20:48 AM

For a tight bend I'd use steam or boil. I use oil and heat for slight bends and corrections.