Osage in attic?

[WILL CAROTHERS]

Just got an osage stave that i cant wait to work on. i cant keep it inside, and i live in south Louisiana, so the humidity outside is crazy, but what about the attic, it does get really hot there, but not humid, and the bugs and borers dont get up there, so what do you think about "attic drying"

[broketooth]

ive done it. chase a good ring , seal the back and ends with shellac. you can even reduce it while green to barely a floor tiller stage and thn seal the back and ends and stick it in the attic for 2 months. rv

[johnny girardi]

Will I think it will dry to fast up there and crack.do you have a garage to keep it.the humidity will just slow down dry time.I always thought people worked down green bows.John G

[Art B]

Sure, you can work on you stave at this stage. You can remove bark and sapwood. If you have to stop for any reason before the task is finished just cover the back and ends with some type of tape. I like painters tape myself. You want to remove as much wood as possible right up front for faster drying/seasoning and reducing the risk of drying cracks.

If you can get it down to a rough bow shape then keep the back/ends and fades sealed using tape or a finish of your choice. Whatever you do, don't store a green Osage stave in the attic. Place it horizonally (for even limb MC) on some slats under your bed or behind a door until dry.

[Pat B]

If your stave is green remove the bark and sapwood and seal the back and ends with shellac. Get the bow down to floor tiller stage. From this point you can either stram heat the stave and clamp it in reflex on a caul(steam will assist drying) or clamp it on a caul and place it under your bed for a few months. Trying for force dry it any faster and you probably won't be satisfied with the results.
  If you are itching to build a bow get an already stave or a board and build a bow(s) until your osage is ready. The more tillering you get under your belt the better off you will be in the long run. Anytime you get in a rush or too eager to wait too get started you will screw up.

[scrub-buster]

I agree with Pat.  Rough it out and hide it under your bed.  You can store a lot of staves under there that way.  Just don't tell my wife.

[John Scifres]

I generally get my fresh cut wood roughed out to bow length and less than 5/8" thick for the entire length of the stave minus handle and fade.  Leave it full width plus a quarter for the whole length.  Back and ends get a couple coats of shellac.  Let it rest for a month in moderate conditions, basements or non-heated/AC garages are great, and then I put them in my attic for at least a few month.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

"Anytime you get in a rush or too eager to wait too get started you will screw up."

 Best advice you'll ever get, also the hardest advice their is to follow with the addiction of bow building. I know LOL