Here we go- I'm going to give it a shot!

Started by Burnsie, February 13, 2017, 05:10:00 PM

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Burnsie

 

Got what I believe is some good wood, and I'm gonna make me a bow.
"You can't get into a bar fight if you don't go to the bar" (Grandma was pretty wise)

scrub-buster

Looks like some good osage.  Was it cut or dead for a while?  how are the growth rings?
AKA Osage Outlaw

Pat B

Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!
TGMM Family of the Bow

George Tsoukalas


Bvas

Very cool.
An Osage self bow is on my "bow building bucket list".
Some hunt to survive; some survive to hunt

Burnsie

QuoteOriginally posted by scrub-buster:
Looks like some good osage.  Was it cut or dead for a while?  how are the growth rings?
It had been down in log form for some time hanging from a tree with the ends painted.  Haven't been able to get a good idea about the rings the ends have a pretty thick coat of paint on them and I wasn't the one who painted them. Thin or wide rings, what's preferred?
 
"You can't get into a bar fight if you don't go to the bar" (Grandma was pretty wise)

scrub-buster

Some people like thick rings.  Some people prefer thinner rings.  The ratio of early to late wood is the important thing.  That looks like a clean log.  It should be some good seasoned wood after it loses some moisture.  Can you post a picture of the ends of the staves?  We might be able to see the rings through the paint.
AKA Osage Outlaw

Pat B

That should be well seasoned. Probably not too much moisture in it with it hanging like that.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!
TGMM Family of the Bow

Burnsie

I may slice off an inch or so off the end of one or two staves and repaint after I take a look at the rings and take some pics.  They are plenty long so I can spare some length off the ends.  I'd like to get a good look at the rings myself.
I'll post up some pics once I do .
"You can't get into a bar fight if you don't go to the bar" (Grandma was pretty wise)

Burnsie

I have access to a moisture meter,  is there a moisture range that I should be looking for before I start trying to work these staves??
"You can't get into a bar fight if you don't go to the bar" (Grandma was pretty wise)

scrub-buster

I don't use a moisture meter.  You can get a bow down to rough dimensions and then bring it inside the house to dry out.  Make sure to seal the ends and back if you take any wood off.  Force drying osage can result in warping and drying cracks.  Be careful.
AKA Osage Outlaw

Burnsie

Got a chance to get some pictures of the rings.
Here are pics of three of the staves.  


"You can't get into a bar fight if you don't go to the bar" (Grandma was pretty wise)

Mad Max

I would rather fail at something above my means, than to succeed at something  beneath my means  
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Pat B

That is very nice osage. Should make some fine bows.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!
TGMM Family of the Bow

Roy from Pa


scrub-buster

Looks like some nice seasoned osage.  You should have some great bow wood there.
AKA Osage Outlaw

Burnsie

I have a finished ceiling in my garage with a hatch door for storage up in the attic area. It can get quite warm/hot up there on summer days like typical attic space - good or bad idea to store them up there for awhile to get some more drying done?
"You can't get into a bar fight if you don't go to the bar" (Grandma was pretty wise)

Roy from Pa

I wouldn't place them where it gets too hot. 70 to 80 would be fine. If they dry too fast, they could check.

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