Fixing string follow?

[Pete W]

One of my early Osage bows has decidecd to follow the string and change tiller after 2 years. I can flip it top to bottom for the tiller, and I read somewhere that I can heat it and clamp some reflex into it.I asume this will be a strip and re finish at best, but what I would like to know is should I block the riser 2 to 3" high and slowly clamp down the tips into reflex as I heat them? or should I build a form and work both limbs at the same time with heat?
For a form I have a suitable 4x4 but I am not sure of the profile to cut it to. Anyone have dimentions for a 66" reflex radiused longbow caul?

[Pat B]

Pete, the amount of damage the set has caused will dictate whether the fix will work. In many cases it is not worth the effort IMO. I have removed some set from limbs but in many cases it came back. Once over stressed you really can't fix the problem.
 Another option is to sand the belly flat and add a belly lam of osage or ipe(something strong in compression)then retiller the bow. You can add some reflex at glue up.  I have done this on a couple of bows with good results.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Was the bow heated and reflexed when you built it?

[Pete W]

I don't remember heat treating it, but it was heat straightened at the handle.
Can't help but wonder what would happen if I hung a weight from it on the back side for a couple weeks ? If leaving a bow strung creats string follow why wouldn't reverse weight remove it?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I say give it a try then. I did an experiment and posted my findings with pics on primitive archer. Search it out if you choose.

[Pat B]

The problem is string follow is caused by collapsed or crushed wood cells on the belly. The severity of that damage will dictate whether it can be repaired or not. In most cases, not. Even if it does looked fixed a little use will bring it back where it was in most cases.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Hanging weights upside down on it will work..........until you brace it! It wont help at all. The only chance is dry heat and rearrangement of wood cells. The bow I referred to was shot thousands of times before I played with it. It has been shot hundreds of times since and hasnt moved a bit. The next one may be a complete failure. If Im not happpy with a bow I dont just hang it up and start another. I do whatever I can to make it a "good" bow in my eyes. Pats belly lam idea has worked for me as well.

[John Scifres]

FIXIT

[Pete W]

Thanks guys. It looks like scrape, toast and bend is the way to go.
Pete