Question for some folks with some experience with red oak boards.
I got the sides tapered on a 72" red oak board. Then was working the belly taper. I was bending it on the floor and heard a crack. I can't find any damage, but I definitely heard it. Do I scrape it and start a new board? Or is a crack or two "normal"?
Thanks
Philip
You will find it later I bet. I have never heard a bow crack that meant nothing. It always rears its ugly head 4-5 labor hours later. Try another, or look ahrder for the crack and salvage what you have.
yep..that's what I was thinking.
I did find out today that I'm getting a band saw for xmas. (My wife is awesome!) That should make the initial tapering of the next bow much much quicker!
Kia Kaha
A bandsaw means stave bows! Look at your edges good, odds are you will find a hair line crack. Try sanding it smooth, then wiping a wet rag over it to make it show up better.
I remember PD saying over on PA that Red Oak is a prime candidate for breaking, and you here more stories about them breaking than any other wood....I know my 1st Red Oak went snap. That's not to say it won't make a nice bow. It just seems prone to mishaps and very intolerant and unforgiving. Congrats on the band saw. What a great gift! Your wife and mine need to talk. :)
My site will help you choose a straight grained board which is a must for board bows. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
sand it nice and smooth with 120 grit. The try putting a long string on it and bending it on a tiller stick gently. Then run a cotton ball over it. It will catch on any problem areas.
Though, as Drum said, a cracking sound is never good and oak is cheap enough that taking a risk is not worth it. Especially early in the process. Be safe.
Don't take chances. Get another board. Straight grained. Jawge
Yep and agreed. I'll use this board as practice on the saw. I'll figure I can retaper the limbs and also practice roughing out the handle.
Thanks for the input everyone,
Philip