Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: macbow on August 03, 2009, 05:12:00 PM
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I picked up a decent Osage log but the rings are not thick enough for decent self bow wood.
I plan to quarter it quarter saw into boards for bamboo backed bows.
The log has been cut about 4 months, If I cut the boards out now, how should I dry them and what besides the ends need to be coated.
Thanks, Ron
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I'd sticker it, (stack the the lumber with thin pieces of lumber between rows) and keep it in a cool spot in the shed, dry it slow to avoid any checking.
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I had an Osage log cut by one of our local sawmills and had them flat saw it into 2" thick slabs. Then I sealed the ends and, as Dano said, stickered it and stored it in my machine shed. I let it set for two years before cutting anything from it. Being 2" thick a longer drying time might have been better.
I took the slabs and cut 1/2" thick slices off of the sides so that the grain in each slice is vertical. This picture shows it best.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/DSC01795.jpg)
Haven't had any problem with these.
I used the same Osage slabs to cut out my laminations for my glass-backed bow I'm making now. I cut these so they were flat sawn.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/Osage%20Lam%20Bow/DSC04906.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/Osage%20Lam%20Bow/DSC05104.jpg)
Dennis
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Thanks guy's, great pictures Dennis.
If I wanted to accelerate a couple would they check too much in a drying box?
Ron
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Quarter sawn should be more stable, If it were me I'd be tempted to speed dry a few.
That's some nice lookin slats there Dennis. :thumbsup:
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If > 1/16", the ring it should be able to be a back. :) Jawge