Hey guys. This is my first post. I've been doing a lot of reading and learning over the last couple of months and I am amazed at all the beautiful work that I see here.
I am finally working on my first bow, a red oak board bow based on 4est's build along. I'm afraid that I messed up with the board I selected. I overlooked an area with a couple small knots in my excitement over finally finding a straight grained board at Home Depot.
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i345/dkilburn2/DSC_0045.jpg)
This area is about mid-limb. I've gotten everything roughed out and ready for floor tillering, but I wanted to check and see what I should do to protect that area before I start any bending.
I am thinking that I should at least saturate the area with superglue and maybe do a paper backing. What do you guys think?
Good chance it will crack right there. Mid limb does the lions share of the work.
Pearl is right. That's not a good place for knots. Tiny knots are not always visible on first inspection.
does it go through to the back? if so its doomed to break
You could tiller that spot very stiff so that it doesn't bend at all. This assumes you haven't gotten it bending. This will hurt the efficiency of the finished bow but if you minimize the length of the stiff area, it should be OK. Looks like the affected area will only be an inch or so long to me.
I think a view of the other side would tell us more. Like Aznboi3644 stated if they dont go through or are smaller you are better off using that side. You could also back it I guess. Let the experts direct you.
Thanks for the responses guys. Unfortunately the biggest knot does go all the way through.
I like the suggestion John. I'll give it a try and hope for the best. Worst case scenario is I learn a lot try for a shooter on the next one.
Knots in board bows are a big no no. You should back it with 1/8th thick edge grain hickory and hope for the best.
if it is not too thick then you can back it on both sides so that you can support the area with backing material which can be hickory, hornbeam, beech or bamboo (not sure about this).
i have a white oak board bow that had knots in it. not quite like yours , but it held.
be careful with it no matter what...
-hov
I like the hickory backing idea, but it's a scarce commodity around here. I haven't been able to convince my wife that using a vacation day to go to the hardwood dealer in Austin is a good idea...
Right now my plan is leave the area stiff, wrap it with serving thread/super glue and take it nice and slow on the tiller tree. I'll hopefully be able to report back on how it went by the end of the weekend.