reflexing a self bow

[vin]

I just finished my first bow(a 72" red oak board bow, 38# @ 30") and have already picked out the tree for my next bow... It is a 6" ironwood tree with about 8' straight at the base... the scales run nice and straght down the side so the grain should be ok... I am thinking of making it a reflex-deflex type bow and was wondering if I should work the stave to a decent floor tiller while it is green then clamp it in a mold till it dries, or if I would be better off waiting till it is fully seasoned before working with it and boiling/steaming the wood to reflex the limbs... thanks in advance

[Pat B]

You can do as you said and clamp it green to a form. After you are sure(and bve very sure) it is dry you can add some dry heat to help set the r/d shape and actually heat treat the belly to increase compression strength.

[John Cooper]

I wouldn't recommend putting much strain on green wood.   Heat treating (toasting the belly) takes a lot more time on the limb with the heat gun than just heating it and clamping it into a relfex.  It's usually best to leave that until you're really close to final thickness.  The 4th bowyer's bible has a GREAT article about that.  If you're looking for a reflex-deflex bow, you could tiller it until it starts to take a mild set and just put a mild recurve into the last third of the limb with a heat gun and a caul.  Make sure you use some oil to prevent scorching.