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I need advice on my snaky osage project please

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bentstick54:
I’ve only made about 6 snakes Osage bows, and I think 2 failed attempts, so I’m no expert by any means. The 2 that failed were both cracks that eventually led to the edge of the bow. Looking at your 2nd photo I would guess the crack I highlighted in red looks like it possibly could continue very close to the edge. I hope I’m wrong, but that’s the spot I would really watch.

Bob Barnes:
thanks...it could be the part to watch for sure.  I'm thinking lots of super glue, with the bow strung so that the checks are open, and then sinew wraps?

sleek:
If I were a betting man, and sometimes I am, I'd wager those checks are on the upped limb in the inner third. Best way to handle that, is to heat harden it so it won't bend as much and change your tiller shape to one thats slightly whip tillered. Fill those cracks with super glue or my recent favorite, west system 2 part epoxy. You may need to just drop the weight down to one that it isnt overpowering those squiggles. Torsion is your enemy here, its trying to twist the limb vs bend it. If you can get it to full draw, then Id wrap it. Wrapping it in this case keeps the grenade from fragmenting, but not from going off, so you may as well leave it unwrapped until you have it tillered.

Bob Barnes:
Kevin, like I said, it is the top limb and it is about 10" out from the grip...so it's the inner 3rds.  I agree that it's because I'm trying to make that part bend, but it's actually twisting.  Heat hardening that section is a good suggestion, but if I do that , I think I will also super glue and wrap it before I finish tillering it.  Why take the chance?  Thanks for the help.

Hamish:
I was wondering if the stave was heat bent/heat treated a lot?  That's the only thing I can think that might have caused those cracks.

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