Could I use a heat gun moved back and forth over the slat? And when do I know it's done? Is there a color change? How much difference does it make to the performance of the bow?

Heat treating is only for boo on the belly, not for backings. A heat gun will do it but it will be slow. I watched James Parker heat treating boo for one of his bows. He used a "rose bud" attachment of a big propane torch and really scorched the boo. As he moved down the slat the boo behind his torch was black and some flames present. I was surprised to see how drastically James treated the boo but after shooting some of his bows I can see the benefit.
  Heat treating adds to the compression strength of the boo belly slat. I haven't heat treated boo but on the last 2 self bows I built I heat treated the bellies. Both were coming in a bit weaker than I wanted and I got a few extra pounds back but also the recovery rate of the limbs seemed to be way better. One bow is a 64", 50# osage static recurve the other is a 64", 35# mulberry flat bow.     Pat

Thanks Pat!

Any of the bamboo that I have bought from 3RA has never given me a problem, but the bamboo I just got from an on-line dealer has splintered quite a bit when sawing it to the lines of my pattern. Does anyone have a good idea why this is happening? I do need to try working some of the other pieces to see if it is going to be a continuing problem. Any suggestions?

the fact that it's splitting may be the species of bamboo u purchased. I buy my boo from  www.rudderbows.com...$22.00  for a 72x1.5 piece. it's
already ground flat and u can get it in several
styles......Jim Bosewell is the owner...good people.

sorry, that's  www.rudderbows.com

I would say it is the type of bamboo and also it could be your choice of band saw blades or the moisture content. most likely it is the species.
  I went to some off the wall suppliers and learned my lesson. now I stick with what I know and use and sell only what I know works.
Good luck.
         Chuck

Check out the prices on this site.  A friend of mine gets his there and has reported excellent results.  

http://www.franksupply.com/bamboo_products.htm#bambooplanks

I don't back bows anymore but know 2 people that has gotten boo from rutterbows and each loved theirs.I've also gotten boo from 3 rivers that was good but this has been a few years ago.