Straighten or reduce weight on selfbow

[flyonline]

I'm slowly getting through an osage self bow that has a little propeller twist as well as some snaking which needs to be removed (tips not aligned through handle). At the moment it is still too high in weight to start on the floor tiller, but I am unsure whether I should keep removing wood as best I can as it is, or steam and straighten then return to removing wood to tiller/reduce weight.

I've made up a form to get both limbs as close as possible, and can steam and straighten it as is.

[Forwardhandle]

Some of the propeller twist may come out as you tiller , I  like to get the wood thinner before steaming or using dry heat it bends easer , on a self bow the string does not neceserly need to be perfectly centered you can leave you handle wide tell the end and cut in in favor of the arrow side !

[Pat B]

I like to get a bow to first low brace before deciding whether, where or if it needs straightening. Selfbows can easily handle some prop twist without adverse affects
 Like Yellowwood said get to at least good floor tiller before trying to correct with heat. I wait until first low brace for this too unless it ie VERY obvious it is needed.
 Will you post pics so we can see what you are talking about?

[flyonline]

Bottom limb on left

 


 
Propeller twist on bottom limb

 
Top limb

 
Nomimal top limb to get around a knot.

 

At the moment the tips line up on the right side to cut less of a shelf.

Width is 1 3/8" full length except for taper of outer 10" to tip width of 5/8" and total length 65".

Steve

[Pat B]

You can't tell how the tips line up until the bow is under tension, at low brace, with the differences in thickness around the knots and hoop-t-doos. Once under tension the true alignment shows.

[flyonline]

Ok, thanks Pat, back to making orange shavings then.