Hey guys. I have tried to make a black locust self bow once before but halfway through the tillering process the bow developed compression fractures all over the belly. I know bl chrysals easily but I made the bow 70" tip to tip and 1 1/2" wide. here is my theory for what I could have done wrong. The wood may not have been dry enough, I may have tillered to quickly, and I did not heat treat the belly of the bow once the tillering had begun. I'm about to start on a new bl stave that has had another year to dry. Can you guys give me some ideas to prevent me from wrecking this one in the same way?
The extra year will help alot! Tillering is very important with BL, take your time and use a gizmo to keep limbs even all the time. Any sign of a hinge will cause a fracture. Don't string it up too early!
Tempering of the belly is not really needed.
70" is not practical for me and would suggest going 64 " & 1 3/4 wide for a thumper and not a long shooter. You try and keep them edges rounded over belly and back, no squared off edges!
Flat bow designs are best for me when using BL rather than a "D" cross section design. The latter seems to get comprssion fractures the easiest.
Ok thanks osage. That helps alot. I will go a little wider and work a lot slower.