I picked up a decent Osage log but the rings are not thick enough for decent self bow wood.
I plan to quarter it quarter saw into boards for bamboo backed bows.
The log has been cut about 4 months, If I cut the boards out now, how should I dry them and what besides the ends need to be coated.
Thanks, Ron
I'd sticker it, (stack the the lumber with thin pieces of lumber between rows) and keep it in a cool spot in the shed, dry it slow to avoid any checking.
I had an Osage log cut by one of our local sawmills and had them flat saw it into 2" thick slabs. Then I sealed the ends and, as Dano said, stickered it and stored it in my machine shed. I let it set for two years before cutting anything from it. Being 2" thick a longer drying time might have been better.
I took the slabs and cut 1/2" thick slices off of the sides so that the grain in each slice is vertical. This picture shows it best.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/DSC01795.jpg)
Haven't had any problem with these.
I used the same Osage slabs to cut out my laminations for my glass-backed bow I'm making now. I cut these so they were flat sawn.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/Osage%20Lam%20Bow/DSC04906.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/Osage%20Lam%20Bow/DSC05104.jpg)
Dennis
Thanks guy's, great pictures Dennis.
If I wanted to accelerate a couple would they check too much in a drying box?
Ron
Quarter sawn should be more stable, If it were me I'd be tempted to speed dry a few.
That's some nice lookin slats there Dennis. :thumbsup:
If > 1/16", the ring it should be able to be a back. :) Jawge