Osage backing

[Miner49er]

This winter I made an osage selfbow that came out to,43@28.I really wanted,46 or 47 pounds.Will some type of backing pick up that much.If so how much and what kind is suggested?

[fujimo]

pike it an inch, or heat treat the belly , or reflexing the tips will all add the bit that you need. i wouldnt add a backing- i would be doing a belly lam before a backing, but you wont need either just to pick up a few pounds.
how long is it right now?
if its already short, reflexing the tips and inducing a bit of back set with a nice belly toasting will give you more than you need!
got any pics.

[Miner49er]

How do you heat treat the belly?

[fujimo]

heat gun, steady heat till it turns a light brown colour, try and do it over a larger area at a time to avoid a blotchy application, clamp it to a caul- maybe induce a bit of back set- i would leave it clamped to the caul until completely cool, and then allow it to rehydrate for a few weeks before shooting again- good time to flip the tips a little bit too if you want.
lots of guys on here doing it all the time- might get something on a search- or they will clock in soon enough- i have only done 3 or 4 of em.

[Miner49er]

When can you reseal the bow?

[fujimo]

i would do it after re-hydrating- just when it is about ready to shoot, you would need to check the tiller etc as things might have changed somewhat- with the extra pounds one might have the leeway now to fix any small issues you might have wanted to fix previously.
best thing you can do, is while that one is re-hydrating etc- is get started on another stave....   :D

[Miner49er]

Thank you very much!