Any advice on removing a twist in my piece of osage. I thought about using dry heat. I've worked the flatbow down to its shape and have done some tillering. It is bending only a little. Is there a form I should build? As you can tell it's my first bow
Use dry heat if no serious knots are in the area to be straightened. A padded vise will work better than a form for removing limb twist IMO. Just heat the wood until hot, but no scorching, and twist a little further than you want and then bring back to straight. If done properly, it'll hold that postion as the wood cools down without having to clamp in place. ART
Is the stave naturally twisted? Jawge
A heat gun, a caul (form), a gentle touch with the gun and about 30 minutes and you can make osage do whatever you want it to.
I put cooking oil on mine to help keep me from scorching it. You don't have to,but I think it helps.
If it is a slight natural twist don't worry about it. If you caused it by uneven wood removal then remove wood from the side that is not twisting. Jawge
Thanks Jawge, I just checked both sides and the side not twisting is much larger. live and learn
that stave had some natural twist in it. As it was the last time I saw it, it should heat out with a little clamping in your bench. Have a game plan going in. Some string helps keep it in place while it cools to.
LOL. Yup, that's the way I learned. Now I look after each 20-30 swipes to make sure wood removal is even. I also can check by running my hand over it. The bowyer that tillers only with eyesight is 1/5 the bowyer he could be. :) Jawge
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osage%20bow/osagebow022.jpg)
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osage%20bow/osagebow020.jpg)
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osage%20bow/osagebow021.jpg)
a little further? (http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osagebow023.jpg)
Your handle/riser is too long.
Green means go.
Get rid of the Tiller stick and use a pulley system tiller tree instead. You'll get a lot less set that way. Only bend it long enough to tell you your next move.
(http://sticknstring.webs.com/photos/Old-Bowmaking-Pics/gilley1.jpg)
John whats a pulley system look like jeff
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osagebow025.jpg)took the grip down some
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osage%20bow/osagebow026.jpg)not sure if I'm done or not
Here's one I found on Jawge's site.
(http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/longstring0007.jpg)
It can be like this where you put it in your vise. It is basically a 2X4 with a radle at the top. There is a pulley mounted on the bottom of the 2x4. You runa rope with a hook through the pulley and attach to the bowstring. Pull the rope to see the bow bend.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/osage%20bow/osagebow032.jpg)I think it is done. missed my weight though was shooting for 65# and got around 50 at 28" draw. Thanks for all the help guys. jeff
Jeff, looks like it turned out great! How are the specs?
Thanks,66" from nock to nock around 50# at 28"
I have had several Osage pieces that were twisted. I just lay them on our woodstove for a 1/2 hour to an hour and then clamp the handle in the vice with a Cressent wrench on the limb. I twist it just beyond the "center and tie it down with bailer twine till its cooled. So far its worked ok.