short osage stave?

[scottm]

Ive got a couple of question fellas.Ive got a green osage stave 63.5 inches long.Straight as an arrow with nice wide rings out of a 12" tree.We worked it down to the first ring.sealed the ends with white glue and back with shellac.should we seal the sides too?And is this stave long enough for us to get a bow out of 55# with a 28.5 inch draw.Or should we make a billet out of it? Thanks, Scott

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Sounds like a very nice stave, Scott. No, you don't have to seal the sides, but it sure would'nt hurt any thing to do so.  
Yes, the stave is long enough for the bow you want.  In the bowyers challenge, there were several 58" bows pulling 60 lbs at 28". so I say go for it....Terry

[ozarkcherrybow1]

I should have said to seal down the sides for 8- 10" from the ends.....

[scottm]

Thanks Terry.I appriciate all the advice I can get.

[Tommy Leach]

Scott, I seal about 1" from the back to the belly with white glue. I don't know if it helps of not. You can get the bow to 55# but I'd keep the fades about 1.5" or go with a "D" bow design.
Good Luck,
Tommy