Question about avoiding set

[psychmonky]

The HBI im working on is taking a bit more set than I would like. Its still decidedly R/D, but im worried that by the time im done tillering its going to be more deflex than reflex.

Im going slowly, and I haven't even braced it yet. I have taken it to about 6" of limb travel @45# on the long string.

Its 66" tip to tip. 1 1/8" at the fades with a straight taper to 5/16" tips. The riser is a 12" piece of cherry. Fades are 3".

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Pat B]

If you have only pulled it to 6" and it is taking set it must not be seasoned. Overstressing and wet wood are the primary sources of set.

[PEARL DRUMS]

R/D's stress the crap outta of the wood. Pat may be on to something as well. If you look at Roys BBO's as he works on them you will notice he starts with a sweet R/D profile and loses a bunch of that at the end. Its part of the high stress bow building business!

[psychmonky]

I should probably clarify that by "set" I mean that if you laid a straight edge on the back of the bow, there was a 1/8" gap at the lowest part of the deflex....now its about 3/4". Is this too much or is a little bit expected?

I bought the Ipe from a guy on here, and sort of just assumed it was dry. I guess I should ask him lol.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I doubt the Ipe is "wet". The hickory could be to blame. I wouldnt worry about it much. Build your bow, see what you end up with and adjust accordingly next time around.

[DVSHUNTER]

It was definitely seasoned hickory. Bought last year from a lumber mill and cut down to a strip about the same time. It'll be fine, just finish it up.

[psychmonky]

Lol im working on it. Gotta work the next two days then I should get to make some progress over the weekend