How far down do I need to go to help with the drying time? I cut this osage in February and have it down to one ring on the back. About 3" wide and limbs are about 1 1/4" thick. How long will it take to dry? Do I need to get closer to finished size? This is my first self bow.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/Magnum2/IMG_6019.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/Magnum2/IMG_6022.jpg)
I take mine down to 5/8" thick. It'll take months to dry that thick of a piece. Get it down to near bow dimensions but leave it full width. In other words if your bow is going to be 1-1/2" wide, leave the whole thing that wide. It'll help with layout later. I can have a stave dry in a couple months this way.
There's 2 bows in that stave for me. But don't risk it on your first if you don't feel real confident.
I brought it down to 3/4-7/8 thick in the limbs and 1 3/4" in the handle area. It is sort of thin ringed so it will give me some room if I need to take it down another ring on the back.
Just seal the back and ends,,, leave the belly open to let the moisture escape!
I have the back and ends sealed ,does the end of the handle section need to be sealed too ? The limbs taper up to it pretty steep.
man, thats i nice lookin piece of osage. at those dimensions i would say 6-8 weeks would be plenty. however you will be able to tell when you floor tiller, is should feel springy and the shavings should crunch. i believe I got that from Mr Scifres.