Tiny Cracks

[tim roberts]

Got a Osage Selfbow that I am working on that has some very tiny cracks in the back.  There is 3 of them and they follow the grain line, and all 3 are in a snakey place in the limb.  Clay filled them with super glue.  Tried to take a picture of them but could not get my camera to focus on them.  Can I drill the end of each one of them with a very tiny drill to keep them from spreading?
Thanks,

[Pat B]

Tim, the cracks are drying cracks(checks) and as long as they don't run off the edge they are no problem. Filling them with super glue is what I do. You might want to seal the back with shellac while you are working on it. Shellac uses alcohol as a carrier and it can easily be removed with alcohol if needed later. Most other finishes will go right over the shellac but if you are going to stain it you will have to remove the shellac first.

[Pat B]

...Oh yea, don't drill holes at the end of the checks. It could cause a splinter to raise.

[tim roberts]

Thanks Pat!!!

Tim