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Doglegged Stave

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Wasatchhawk:
Yesterday I decided to remove the sapwood off the mulberry staves that I split out.  What a chore!  it was interesting to see the water squeeze out as I used the draw knife.

I don't know why I didn't notice before but this 74 inch stave has a dogleg in the last 14 inches of about 3" If I were to use this piece how would I lay out the pattern? following the grain I assume, then roughing it out and then heating and bending?

I decided to go as far as I can before meeting Dan.  That way I'll have a bunch of questions for him and possibly various staves in different states of development so he can show me the whole process.

Pat B:
Wasa,  I hope you sealed the back.Especially as wet as it is.  If not, do so ASAP or it will check.  After sealing, take her down to almost bow size, even to about 4" of floor tiller and let her rest for a month or so and see how dry she is. You could clamp her to a form and into a hot box for quicker results.    Pat

Wasatchhawk:
Yep I sealed it right after cutting and then after removing the sapwood.  Both ends and back.  But how do I layout the pattern with the dogleg in it?

Pat B:
Follow the grain lines down the back. Leave the tips full width all the way out and shape when dry. Just reduce the thickness.    Can you take and post pics. They would help.  Pat

Hillbilly:
I have found that it sometimes helps in removing doglegs to follow the grain when laying out the bow, then cut out the back profile, leaving it thicker than wide, and take the crook out with heat then. After the thickness is reduced so that the limb is wider than it is thick, it hard to get side-to-side bends out.

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