Quarter sawing a oasage log?

[macbow]

I picked up a decent Osage log but the rings are not thick enough for decent self bow wood.

I plan to quarter it quarter saw into boards for bamboo backed bows.

The log has been cut about 4 months, If I cut the boards out now, how should I dry them and what besides the ends need to be coated.
Thanks, Ron

[Dano]

I'd sticker it, (stack the the lumber with thin pieces of lumber between rows) and keep it in a cool spot in the shed, dry it slow to avoid any checking.

[Aeronut]

I had an Osage log cut by one of our local sawmills and had them flat saw it into 2" thick slabs.  Then I sealed the ends and, as Dano said, stickered it and stored it in my machine shed.  I let it set for two years before cutting anything from it.  Being 2" thick a longer drying time might have been better.

I took the slabs and cut 1/2" thick slices off of the sides so that the grain in each slice is vertical.  This picture shows it best.
   

Haven't had any problem with these.

I used the same Osage slabs to cut out my laminations for my glass-backed bow I'm making now.  I cut these so they were flat sawn.
 
 

Dennis

[macbow]

Thanks guy's, great pictures Dennis.

If I wanted to accelerate a couple would they check too much in a drying box?
Ron

[Dano]

Quarter sawn should be more stable, If it were me I'd be tempted to speed dry a few.

That's some nice lookin slats there Dennis.  

[George Tsoukalas]

If > 1/16", the ring  it should be able to be a back.    Jawge