Main Discussion Area > Bows

Osage and Dry heat? Revisited

<< < (9/12) > >>

Selfbowman:

--- Quote from: bentstick54 on January 20, 2023, 07:51:38 pm ---You may be on to something Brad. I did two staves within days of each other with close to the same corrections needed to both. The one that checked which led to this thread, was cut 10 years ago, split, ends sealed and stored in my basement with bark on. The 2nd stave was 3 years old and treated the same way. I had no drying checks in the back of the newer stave.
For information purposes our house has central AC/ gas heat. Basement maintains 66 to 68 degrees year around with humidity running around 33% to 37% in winter and around 50% in the summer.

--- End quote ---

My staves are in the top of my bow shop getting to 120 or so in the summer. With a higher average humidity. Maybe it’s the heat more than the humidity.

bentstick54:
Maybe Arvin. Like Brad said, without a moisture meter I’m just guessing. Going to see if I can pick one up later today so I can take some guess work out of it.

bentstick54:
Ok, so yesterday I picked up a moisture meter yesterday, and could not get a reading on a roughed out bow that I had done after the last one that I had the drying checks develop on the back while making heat corrections. The moisture meter won’t register below 7%.
This stave was way worse than the last, so I took Pats advice and sealed the back with a coat of shellac, then I went ahead and used a little canola oil on the belly and grabbed the heat gun. I did the worst limb this morning and just took the clamps off. Pulled it over almost 2” sideways, and took the twist out at the same time.
Don’t no if it was the shellac, or the canola oil, or combination of the two, or none of the above. But it did not check, and I believe the oil may have helped pull the heat into the wood deeper quicker so it didn’t scorch the belly. The wood seemed to reach the bending point faster and easier.
I hope to do the other limb tomorrow, and will see how it goes.

TimBo:
Looking good - you really moved it a lot!  I have a few of those sideways staves, and whenever I see them my inclination is usually to keep looking for a straighter one...

Will B:
Looks really good Bentstick. I have done exactly what Pat recommends with very good results on straightening Osage. Good luck with your other limb. Hope you get a nice bow out that stave.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page