Chasing A Ring??

[nlester]

I'm working on my 1st selfbow.  I chased a ring...or at least I thought I did.  I roughed it out on a bandsaw, and began working.  I noticed close to the tip of one limb that I had slightly violated a ring.  So, I worked down to the next ring...no problem.  However, I realized that the 3/4 of my backing is yellow, while the limb that had the violation is now more white than yellow.  I've searched up and down the bow and I can't see anywhere that would warrant a ring violation.  Does anyone know why I'd have two different colors on my backing?  I hope this makes sense.  I sure don't want to chase another ring again if I can keep from it.  

[George Tsoukalas]

I am confused. You installed the backing and then chased a ring on it? Pictures would help. Jawge

[Art B]

What kind of wood are you working with? Nothing to worry about on the color change. I see that more in mulberry than Osage. Transition from sapwood to heartwood is somewhat incomplete. Ring violations next to the tip I don't worry about either. Much less stress on the limb in that area.......Art

[nlester]

No backing on the bow.  Its an osage stave.  I don't have any pics, but I wish I did to help explain this a little better.  There is a decent yellow tint over 75% of the bow, then the last 12 inches of one limb is like a creamy white.  I'd say it is transition from sapwood to heartwood.  That was my guess anyway.  It appears to be one continous ring though.  What should I do?

[scrub-buster]

How many rings down from the sapwood did you go?  

I have had osage go from yellow to an almost red color in one growth ring.

[PEARL DRUMS]

If the rings arent too thin, scrape that white area a touch more and see if the color turns more yellow. Does it have a honeycomb look to it?

[nlester]

The last ring I took off was honeycomb.  I just figured I was OK.  What is the downfall if I just leave it as is?  I even entertained backing it with rawhide, just because I like the look

[PEARL DRUMS]

"Honeycomb" is the layer between rings. Leave it and build a bow. I dont think it will be the reason for a break if it happens. As Artsy said, the tips dont move so if it is a violation, it wont hurt a thing. If the bow doesnt NEED a backing I wouldnt do it. Its one more glue line to concern yourself with and it will make the limbs heavier and slower for no good reason.

[nlester]

Thanks for all the help everyone.  I continue to learn something everytime I work on it.  I'd love to have a shooter by opening day.  Fingers crossed!

[KellyG]

Do you have a way of taking pic, celphone or camera?

[Osagetree]

Go out into the direct sunlight and look at it again. Chances are you're okay the way it is but the sun light will show you if you have one or two rings on your backing. Sometimes, like others have said here; if you're just under the whitewood of an osage, you may have a ring where it has not completely transitioned into the yellow heart wood. I too have seen this happen in staves especialy younger tree's with thinner rings. Not so much in the thicker ringed tree's for some reason.
I like the red stuff scrubs talked about though!!! I find most of those tree's come with a pithy vein or two towards the center.

[nlester]

If it hasn't transitioned into heartwood, is that going to be OK?  I looked it over in the sunlight like you said.  It seems to be in pretty good shape.  I don't know much though.

[Art B]

Never had any problems with transition wood for the back myself. In the area of the limb that it's located in, there's just not a lot of stress there. Give it a go......Art

[George Tsoukalas]

THere's info on ring chasing on my site. Looking at the back outside is great advice by osagetree. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/