I made A Osage bow with you guys help. It has taken about 4" of set, can I toast the belly to help this or is it the way it will be?
You can give it a try. I have reduced some set with toasting but it is not a miracle cure.
...after you toast it, let it rest for 3 or 4 days before you stress it to give the wood time to rehydrate.
Thanks Pat, I don't use oil do I and do I clamp it down with reflex?
I use oil when straightening and bending but no oil for toasting. You want the wood to char to a chocolate brown.
With taking 4" of set I would think this bow was very stressed at some point. osage will, as a rule, hold up better than that. What is your design? Any pics?
Chuck
Here is a picture, it is one of my first bows. The set is 2 3/4 at the widest. It is 66" 1 1/2 at the fades and you are right I rushed it in the tillering.
(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/ranger500us/IMG_0901.jpg)