I cut a 1 1/4" red oak board from a larger board and laid out one end. I got busy and did not get back to it for several days. The end I hand not marked warped sideways. Should I heat and bend it, move the lay out so a string will go through all marks,or clamp it to a straight board to get the lay out, rough it out and then heat and straighten? Should I just get a new board? I have an osage stave stared that I am going to have to heat and straighten at some time so this could  be practice.
Jerry

Pics please.   Did you give the board time to acclimatize before you sawed it out?

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I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I am about to give up and just buy a bow on ****.

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I viewed a boyers tutorial awhile back documenting the event of tension stored in wood and how cutting can release or reveal that tension.  Sounds like that is possibly the case.  I would heat bend or steam it and clamp it while it cools or dries.  Steam can be done by microwaving a wet towel, just be extra careful you don't get burned.

Don't give up.

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As to your board question, I suspect there is some reaction wood going on and you will fight it no matter what.  If it a really good-grained board, it might be worth a try though.  I don't know that I would mess with straightening it.  Just go for it and see what happens.  I assume this is your first bow?

"Steam can be done by microwaving a wet towel, just be extra careful you don't get burned." [/QB][/QUOTE]
How long would you microwave the towel? I planned to use a heat gun,but I could use the micro in doors.

You will need to experiment with your microwave.  Make sure the towel stays wet. Smoking towel in the micro is bad don't ask how I know.

Just guessing from the picture, but it only looks like 1/4" or so?  If so, I'd just cheat the layout for the tip over a little.  It will shoot just fine even if the string doesn't bisect the handle perfectly.

~Yes tension stored in the main board has been released OR it's m.c. was a bit high. Likely the former though.
Just cheat the layout with that one and heat straighten later if you have to.
Also don't narrow the handle section until the bow is braced - that way you shape the handle o the string and not have loads of messing about trying to do the reverse.

I would guess a 1/4". Not going to narrow the grip and make it a working grip. I will play with the string again.
Thanks for the tips especially about the smoking towels.
Jerry