removing a twist

[gilbarbarian]

Any advice on removing a twist in my piece of osage.  I thought about using dry heat.  I've worked the flatbow down to its shape and have done some tillering.  It is bending only a little.  Is there a form I should build?  As you can tell it's my first bow

[Art B]

Use dry heat if no serious knots are in the area to be straightened. A padded vise will work better than a form for removing limb twist IMO. Just heat the wood until hot, but no scorching, and twist a little further than you want and then bring back to straight. If done properly, it'll hold that postion as the wood cools down without having to clamp in place. ART

[George Tsoukalas]

Is the stave naturally twisted? Jawge

[John Scifres]

A heat gun, a caul (form), a gentle touch with the gun and about 30 minutes and you can make osage do whatever you want it to.

[DVSHUNTER]

I put cooking oil on mine to help keep me from scorching it. You don't have to,but I think it helps.

[George Tsoukalas]

If it is a slight natural twist don't worry about it. If you caused it by uneven wood removal then remove wood from the side that is not twisting. Jawge

[gilbarbarian]

Thanks Jawge,  I just checked both sides and the side not twisting is much larger. live and learn

[DVSHUNTER]

that stave had some natural twist in it. As it was the last time I saw it, it should heat out with a little clamping in your bench. Have a game plan going in. Some string helps keep it in place while it cools to.

[George Tsoukalas]

LOL. Yup, that's the way I learned. Now I look after each 20-30 swipes to make sure wood removal is even. I also can check by running my hand over it. The bowyer that tillers only with eyesight is 1/5 the bowyer he could be.    Jawge

[gilbarbarian]

[gilbarbarian]

a little further?

[John Scifres]

Your handle/riser is too long.

Green means go.

Get rid of the Tiller stick and use a pulley system tiller tree instead.  You'll get a lot less set that way.  Only bend it long enough to tell you your next move.  

[gilbarbarian]

John whats a pulley system look like   jeff

[gilbarbarian]

took the grip down some

[gilbarbarian]

not sure if I'm done or not

[John Scifres]

Here's one I found on Jawge's site.

 

It can be like this where you put it in your vise.  It is basically a 2X4 with a radle at the top.  There is a pulley mounted on the bottom of the 2x4.  You runa rope with a hook through the pulley and attach to the bowstring.  Pull the rope to see the bow bend.

[gilbarbarian]

I think it is done. missed my weight though was shooting for 65# and got around 50 at 28" draw.  Thanks for all the help guys. jeff

[Osagetree]

Jeff, looks like it turned out great! How are the specs?

[gilbarbarian]

Thanks,66" from nock to nock around 50# at 28"

[wildcat hunter]

I have had several Osage pieces that were twisted. I just lay them on our woodstove for a 1/2 hour to an hour and then clamp the handle in the vice with a Cressent wrench on the limb. I twist it just beyond the "center and tie it down with bailer twine till its cooled. So far its worked ok.