maple stave - need help

[chuprinko]

Hi All,
I need some help.
Well, after some successful board bows, a hickory (from a good stave) backed with bamboo, I came across a Maple log along the curb and decided to pick it up and give it a try.
It is a bit snaky so I thought it might make it near center shot. When dried, had about 1-3/4" reflex. One limb is a bit knotty. It is from a 5-6" wide maple. split down ctr, then followed the grain to shape. It has the natural back with some cambium, and now a flat belly. I have it floor tillered. It is now:
71" long
1-3/4" wide mid limb and 1/2" think
taper to 5/8" nocks at 3/8" thick.
--Questions:--
1.Back - Should I flatten the back or leave it natural
2. Curve - it ended up about 1/8" outside ctr when strung. Should I steam or heat bend and where? handle area or outer limb.
3. Twist, I could steam or heat the slight twist out knotty end - good end is fine.
4 Or should I just scrap it..
 
 
 
 
sorry, pictures are from my blackberry.

Thanks all,
Neil

[arrowslinger22]

Narly looking piece of maple.  Makes the hair stand up on my neck, lol.

1.Back - Should I flatten the back or leave it natural - Leave the back alone.
2. Curve - it ended up about 1/8" outside ctr when strung. Should I steam or heat bend and where? handle area or outer limb.  I'd try and use a caul for bending and getting out the twist.  I use mineral oil, heat gun and clamps.  I don't know about using steam, never done it.
3. Twist, I could steam or heat the slight twist out knotty end - good end is fine.  See #2
4 Or should I just scrap it..  - Nope, there's a bow in there and finding it will be worthwhile.

JMHO

[Pat B]

I think I'd just take my time with it as it is and see what comes from it. If nothing else it will teach you a lot about wood bow building. Best case is you will have a shooter you can be proud of.
  I have not worked much with maple so I don't know which heating method works best. I use oil and a heat gun with the woods I use for bows.

[chuprinko]

Thanks guys. I'm going to try my best.
I've steam bent some hickory, and just picked up a cheap heat gun from Harbor Freight to try out.
Neil

[George Tsoukalas]

My site may help you. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[Curt Brisky]

Heh heh.  Now you are makin' bows like I do.  Steaming works better than heat on these. Steam it at the handle to line up your string on the handle. It you want you can steam the limbs straight you can it will just take some time.  Maple steams really easy and reacts well.  Are you wanting a certain bow weight?  The limbs are as narrow enough, don't take anymore off the limb width. Since it is 71" long you can shorten it to gain draw weight. If you do cut it shorter do that first then steam it to the shape you want.  Don't scrape the back, only sand it.