When to reflex, straighten Osage?

TroutGuide · March 10, 2011, 03:12:00 PM

I have a few green staves to bow demintions and they are not staight, not terrible but no way they will work as is. So do I wait untill they are dry or try to staighten them now?

No-sage · March 10, 2011, 03:16:00 PM

Moist heat (steam) for green wood, dry heat for dry wood.

John Scifres · March 10, 2011, 03:23:00 PM

I wait until they are dry and cut to near-bow dimensions. I've even floor tillered green wood before it is dry and then heat-gnned it later. Defenitely do not use a heat gun on green wood. Steam only.

PEARL DRUMS · March 10, 2011, 04:00:00 PM

Can you put a fully tillered bow in reflex and warm it up with a heat gun?

Stiks-n-Strings · March 10, 2011, 04:54:00 PM

Pearl I have done it with osage and it worked fine.

PEARL DRUMS · March 10, 2011, 05:14:00 PM

Hmmmmm? You had to say that didnt ya'. Now Im thinking again.......My bow is dead straight now, I wouldnt mind and inch or two of reflex.

Pat B · March 10, 2011, 06:07:00 PM

The sign of a good bowyer is knowing to stop! d;^)

PEARL DRUMS · March 10, 2011, 07:27:00 PM

I stopped Pat, but it did make me think. And dont you dare call me a bowyer again kind Sir! Im only making wood bend as of now.

John Scifres · March 10, 2011, 08:39:00 PM

You can "fix" set to some extent by heat teating the belly. Don't expect miracles though.

Here's a fixit I did: Fixit

TroutGuide · March 10, 2011, 09:06:00 PM

So it would be safe to steam the green stave, clamp it staight with relex and then let it dry. These are less than a week from the stump.

DVSHUNTER · March 11, 2011, 07:41:00 AM

Trout- Yes, if your staves are that green, make sure they are sealed on the ends and back. Work the back down to the ring you want and reseal it with two coats of shellac. Then take you bow down to rough dimensions. Steam the bow for about an hour and a half or so. When you take it out work fast and clamp it to a caul and put whatever bend or reflex you want. I use a heatgun to help keep the bow hot, not much, just a little helping hand. If you can leave the bow on the caul then let it sit on there. I need my clamps and caul so I pull it off after a day or two. Either way, after a few weeks you can put you bow blank indoors for a week, and then into a warm (85 degrees) hotbox and slowly bring the temp up to about 95 over then next two weeks. Watch for checks the whole time, but this method works to speed dry wood for me.

DVSHUNTER · March 11, 2011, 07:42:00 AM

I forgot to muntion that shellac holds up to the heat and water better than other sealers imo