Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Puckaway on January 08, 2017, 11:51:56 am

Title: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: Puckaway on January 08, 2017, 11:51:56 am

Hello guys, Its been a while. Ive been having cabin fever and decided to get after an osage bow from some wood that was given to me by my uncle's hunting buddy. Anyhow I roughed out the stave to floor tiller and put it on my caul to straighten the limbs and take a bit of twist out. I used olive oil and a heat gun for heat. After removing it from the form I noticed a crack formed bellow mid limb for about 2", and another smaller one ran off the edge of the limb by it. Part of one of them looks to have gone through to the belly side. Now that I'm at this point what should I do? I've got some sinew and I've got some rawhide. There is a knot on the limb that split off during the rough out anyhow that I was a bit worried about.

Title: Re: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: penderbender on January 08, 2017, 11:59:39 am

Pictures would help. But if one of the cracks runs off the edge it is probably done for. Cheers- Brendan

Title: Re: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: Puckaway on January 08, 2017, 12:11:21 pm

I'm going to try to get some pics on. My phone is working really slow.

Title: Re: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: Pat B on January 08, 2017, 12:37:20 pm

Were the cracks from the bending or are they checks from heating wood with moisture in it?

Title: Re: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: Puckaway on January 08, 2017, 02:17:06 pm

I'm leaning toward moisture since the bends were subtle.

Title: Re: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: Puckaway on January 08, 2017, 03:08:30 pm

I can't seem to get pics to load off my phone..

Title: Re: cracks in an osage limb from heat bending
Post by: Pat B on January 08, 2017, 04:36:02 pm

Do the cracks run with the grain or across it?