@#$% &*(% Hickory Stave

[Jack Guard]

Hey Yall,     ,  I have a pretty decent Hickory stave I have had for several years. OK OK, I have had it for 6 years.  It has a nice 1.5 inch deflex built into it.  When I floor tiller it, the limbs seem to take a set.  I can get the set back to its original deflex just by pushing gently in the opposite direction.  I understand Hickory is rather hydroscopic but this is ridiculous.       Its like a dang al dente noodle.  

I am thinking i can put it in a drying box (which I have yet to build) to remove some of the moisture between tillering sessions.  

So i guess i am asking....

      Is this normal ?
      What am i in for when i finally get this baby    tillered.
      Should i consider backing it.  

Here is a quick pic, not very telling, of the stave.  

 

[John Scifres]

That's weird.  How heavy is it?  Never pull it too soon.  And never pull it past your draw weight.

[Jack Guard]

I have only floor tillered it about 3 inches so far, have not put it on a tillering stick or tree.

[Eric Krewson]

It appears you picked too narrow a bow profile for hickory. You need the limbs to be at least 1 1/2" wide. You can go narrower if you glue on a backing in a reflex.

[Jack Guard]

The limbs are right at 1.5 inches for the first 10 inches after the handle fade.  

So Eric, what type of backing do you think would be best.  I know that's subjective.  Rawhide, sinew, a hickory slat ?

[bigcountry]

Do not push opposite on a bow you just had braced.  Again, do not do it.

Guess how I know?

[SoNevada Archer]

I've had good luck with raw hide on hickory.

[Dean Marlow]

Jack I have had the same problem on my last 2 attempts on Hickory also. I am o.k. up to about 40lbs. Then after that terrible set. My staves are over a year old but they were in my shop all winter and I think they took on a bunch of moisture. I live in Illinois and it is wet here all the time any more. I really think that you can't hardly get Hickory dry enough around here where I live. I need to make a hot box for my Hickory. Dean

[Eric Krewson]

The limbs should be at least 1 1/2" wide(1 3/4" would be better) for most of the limb length, tapering about a foot from the tips to 1/2" nocks. Hickory makes a poor ELB type bow. It needs a flat belly instead of a rounded one.

You could flatten the back and glue on a strip of bamboo while adding about 3" of reflex during glue-up and have a screamer. I have made 3 or 4 of these in the last few years, none over 1 1/4" wide, all retained an inch of reflex after being shot in.

[Jack Guard]

Eric, sounds great.  I have three pieces of bamboo i have been dieing to try out.  

I bought the stave already profiled.  I guess i should have left it in a more rectangular configuration.  

Oh well, good reason to use that bamboo.  

Thanks a bunch everyone.  Jack

[DCM]

I say you need to build the hot box.  I have found (in Memphis, Tn) that I literally cannot get hickory too dry, and most often not dry enough.  Man tall 1 1/2" hickory will make a 60# @ 28" imho.  I'd vote too wet.

How long is it, how much bow do you want?

Build the hot box, or at least find a place where you can achieve 40% or less, sustained 24/7, or where it might range 20% to 50% during the daily cycle.  

All that said, I have run into batch of hickory (from up North) that was a lot less dense than what we get around here.

[Pennsyltuckey pete]

I have a drying tube that I use.  Stove pipe mounted over a light bulb.  cost about $15 to build

pete

[chuck172]

By the looks of that picture, the bow is WAY to long for you!

[Brock]

I made a hot box but use it vertical with light bulb in bottom...adjustable vents on two sides near top...and have a temp and humidity gauge hanging in middle of door.  I can also put a tin cup of water in bottom if it gets too dry...

so far so good.  Hickory is hydroscopic and sucks up water from air like a sponge...

[barley40]

I found that hickory must be as dry as you can get it. Simple way it in the attic or in a vehicle out in the sun. It just won't dry much just standing indoors. Most locations have too much inherent moisture and unsealed hickory absorbs it. Hickory will not take a set more than other woods if dry before bending and tillered properly. Use alcohol based stain and Tung Oil Finish. Never put anything on hickory that would add moisture.