Author Topic: Drying bow staves.  (Read 3333 times)

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Offline Markus

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Drying bow staves.
« on: November 13, 2024, 07:15:24 am »
What is your opinion on keeping bowstaves that are, let us say half dry. Do you keep them laying flat or standing on end? The reason I ask is a storage space problem. Thanks.

Offline Bill B.

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Re: Drying bow staves.
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2024, 08:02:53 am »
Space for me is an issue also. Most of my staves in slit log form are stored vertically in my garage. The ones that I want to work next, if not already done I’ll chance a ring or debark and store in the house horizontally. Just don’t forget to seal the back again.

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Drying bow staves.
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2024, 09:53:31 am »
If you are not overloaded with them, I would cut them down to bow blanks to reduce the volumn, I store my bow blanks horizontally. I can store 15 bow blanks in a very small space. The down side is green blanks might warp but ones half dry probably won't. I always end up heat correcting my blanks in one way or another, usually reflexing them so any small warpage isn't a problem.




Offline Pat B

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Re: Drying bow staves.
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2024, 03:37:36 pm »
Like Eric said, reduce to bow blank stage, seal the back and ends and store them horizontally. If you have a few that are still wet you can bind 2 together, back to back until they are drier. This will help prevent unwanted twisting and bending. Manipulating with heat later is usually an option with most woods.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline bassman211

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Re: Drying bow staves.
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2024, 08:34:17 pm »
I take them down wet, floor tiller, and clamp on a form. When they are dry they are straight with reflex ,and belly heated treated, and ready to tiller.