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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: GANDGOLF on November 19, 2011, 07:23:00 PM

Title: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: GANDGOLF on November 19, 2011, 07:23:00 PM
Just cut a osage stave. Brought back from ILL.
NOW WHAT? It's in the Attic..Someone says to Lacquer the ends .. Someone else say's to skin it ? 8/12 ft by 8 " diameter. What now ??
Don't know a thing about HOW to build a bow..HELP!!  :pray:
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: DVSHUNTER on November 19, 2011, 07:51:00 PM
Split it in staves around three inches wide and pull the two best ones out and seal the ends with two coats of shellac and put them in the attic for two years. Take the other two and take off the bark and sapwood and chase down to one ring above the one you want. Seal the ring on the back and the ends with two coats of shellac. Lay out a bow and rough it down to almost bow dimension using drawknives, hatchets, rasped... Whatever you are comfortable with and then bring it in the house for a few months. That's a start.
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: karrow on November 19, 2011, 08:26:00 PM
when splitting into staves take a skil saw and score the log where you want it split. then use wedges and a good heavy hammer. DVSHUNTER gave you good advice. good luck
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: scrub-buster on November 19, 2011, 11:38:00 PM
With osage, I never score the log.  I like to start the split and let the grain decide where it wants to go.
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: tenbrook on November 20, 2011, 08:28:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by DVSHUNTER:
Split it in staves around three inches wide and pull the two best ones out and seal the ends with two coats of shellac and put them in the attic for two years. Take the other two and take off the bark and sapwood and chase down to one ring above the one you want. Seal the ring on the back and the ends with two coats of shellac. Lay out a bow and rough it down to almost bow dimension using drawknives, hatchets, rasped... Whatever you are comfortable with and then bring it in the house for a few months. That's a start.
Great info there.....

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on November 20, 2011, 08:39:00 AM
I second that tenbrook. Its a great way to get a jump on a future bow and have a few chunks leftover to season.
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 20, 2011, 09:06:00 AM
The attic will be OK in the winter but will ruin your wood when the weather starts to warm up in the spring, too much heat for green wood. I found this out the hard way.
Title: Re: O.K. New Osage Stave
Post by: GANDGOLF on November 20, 2011, 09:25:00 AM
Thank's Guy's, this is GOOD STUFF. Please keep it coming!!  :notworthy: