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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ranger 3 on April 07, 2009, 10:51:00 AM

Title: Toasting
Post by: ranger 3 on April 07, 2009, 10:51:00 AM

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?

Title: Re: Toasting
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 11:04:00 AM

You can give it a try. I have reduced some set with toasting but it is not a miracle cure.

Title: Re: Toasting
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 11:05:00 AM

...after you toast it, let it rest for 3 or 4 days before you stress it to give the wood time to rehydrate.

Title: Re: Toasting
Post by: ranger 3 on April 07, 2009, 11:40:00 AM

Thanks Pat, I don't use oil do I and do I clamp it down with reflex?

Title: Re: Toasting
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 01:13:00 PM

I use oil when straightening and bending but no oil for toasting. You want the wood to char to a chocolate brown.

Title: Re: Toasting
Post by: 2treks on April 07, 2009, 05:47:00 PM

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

Title: Re: Toasting
Post by: ranger 3 on April 07, 2009, 06:32:00 PM

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)