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Small twist in a stave

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SimonUK:
Hi all

I'm wondering whether I should try to do anything about this small twist in an elm stave.  My bows have a habbit of snapping during tillering so I must be doing something wrong.

In the picture the back is facing up. It might be difficult to see, but the back twists towards the camera at midlimb then straightens up again. there's also a bit of reflex at the same position.  I think it's too short to try steaming it straight.

I don't want all the tension building up on the opposite side of the back. Should round off the back less on this side and more on the opposite side, to make the bow bend slightly sideways relative to the grain? Or just build it as if it were straight and hope for the best? Thanks.

mullet:
    Simon,Normaly I wouldn't worry about a twist that small. But the wieght you guy's build bows need's the experiance that I don't have. Any other bow ,I would take wood off equaly in that area and see if it straightens up at full draw. I believe taking the heat gun to an area that small in the working part of the limb contributes to failures.

SimonUK:
Thanks Mullet. It's probably not going to be very heavy - maybe 75 or 80 lbs, about 80 inches long and with the usual longbow width:depth ratio (about 4:3).

duffontap:
Simon,

I would go with Mullet's advice for sure.  At 75-80 lbs. you should be ok.  Take your time tillering and you shouldn't have it blow up on you. 

      J. D.

SimonUK:
Thanks JD. Good to see you back again.

Simon

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