My first osage stave! ... It is finished!!...

[CardboardDuck]

It's up to you. but it looks like there might be a little grain run out that way. There will a lot of stress right where the knot is with that lay out.

 

What's wrong with this?

[Echatham]

you mean like this?
 

haha i didn't think i could do it, but then... it fits.  almost like you guys know what you're talking about.

[Echatham]

Thanks guys    

[Roy from Pa]

I guess it's ok:)

[Echatham]

ya i guess you're ok too Roy.       gonna have to leave it alone for tonight. bedtime.  dont know if ill get much done tomorrow either...  looks like weather and schedule will finally cooperate for my first time bowfishing tomorrow.... wish me luck!

[Zradix]

good luck!

[Echatham]

Thanks!

[Zradix]

just read about your new B-saw....  

[Echatham]

yeah.... its pretty sweet!  ok fishing trip canceled due to unforeseen obligations of the other party.... but i already took off of work early... soooo..... time to get to work!

[Echatham]

beginning to look like a bow now

 

 

its roughed out just outside the lines, limbs are 5/8"-3/4" thick.
removed the bulk of the wood with the bandsaw, then touched up with the belt sander. all hand tools from here me thinks. going around now with a rasp and taking it all down to the lines and hugging the curves.   I may need to straigten.... errr..... bend the limb closest to the camera to the left about an inch or two, by the eyeball it looks like the string will track right on the edge of the handle.  is now the time to straighten limbs and flip tips.... or should i take the thickness down further first?

[TimBoA]

I believe you want to have it floor tillered, or at least have the limbs bending a bit, before straightening or flipping - less chance of cracking that way.

[Echatham]

string tracks down the edge of handle. which limb would you bend to bring it in line?
i think the limb closest to camera needs to come left... kindof in the same manner as the far limb.... what say the pros?

[Echatham]

Timboa just seen your post... the limbs do bend a little, and inch or so.... im gonna keep working it down for now.

[Echatham]

 

[Echatham]

Haha i just blew my nose... bright yellow boogers.  Maybe i should wear a dust mask next time          i think i need to invest in a dust collector.

[Steve Kendrot]

Remember as you approach your lines, a rasp will cut thought the grain, while a scraper will follow it. You seem like a slow goer though so probably not as vulnerable to an impatient swipe of the rasp.

[Steve Kendrot]

I'd keep floor tillering until you can see where the string tracks once its braced. Might tell a different story under pressure.

[Echatham]

you mean like get it to a short brace?

[DVSHUNTER]

Definitly take it down a bit. You should be able to floor tiller to low brace. That means looking for an even bend and equal resistance in all the limb. Once you get it braced low, like three inches, check your alignment. Mark what you want and the make a form to add reflex and straighten it then.

[Echatham]

what kind of form? do you know of any build along or do you have a picture illustrating that?  and can i substitute a long tillering string for floor tillering? ive got the limbs down to 1/2 to 5/8 thick now.... and i can bend the limbs and they feel good.... but im not really sure how to see even bend except by looking at it on a tillering tree.