chasing ring on osage billets

[Icandraw]

I have a question on making a osage billet bow. I have never done a billet bow before and was wondering if you are supposed to get both billets down to the growth ring on the back that you want to use before splicing and or glueing them together? Any other tips or advice? Thanks!

[Dan Landis]

Yes, at least that's the way I do mine.  I've only done a few so far though.  I try to keep the backs flush as much as possible when I do mine,and good tight joints help insure a good bond....Dan

[Eric Krewson]

Yep, best to chase a ring before you cut your splices.

Another thing, if you cut a sloppy splice that is a lousy fit, heat your splices really hot with a heat gun, put them together without glue, clamp them with several C clamps and let the wood cool.

Your sloppy fit will become a good fit after using the above procedure.

[Icandraw]

Thanks for the advice! I haven't heard about heating the billets if you have a sloppy splice. I may have to use that trick!  

[Goose Gossett]

Don't use a hammer or tamp down the billets to get the splices to fit.  The larger splice will act like a wedge and potentially split the other billet.  I can't remember who posted a pic a while ago of it happening to them but that might help as well.

[beetlebailey1977]

Great tip Eric.  I have some osage billits in the works myself.