Author Topic: 10-11' Osage limb split - what now? PICS ADDED (Read 1280 times)

fujimo · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2015, 11:54:00 PM »

excellent... then you are on the right page! :D
great that those logs are quite a bit bigger than i thought- how long are the pieces each side of the dog leg , if they are less than the bow length you want- buck it off there- split out as many billets as you can safely get- might be some belly splits in there too!!
cure them, splice them up ,and get at it

and if they are long enough- well then get to making full length splits-
what is your drawlength- as some pretty short bows can be built if you flip the tips etc- gotta chat to PatB, he has tons of experience in that field- he builds some really different selfbows- and many others too on this site, of course!!!

scrub-buster · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2015, 12:23:00 AM »

That's a rough piece of osage. How long is the straight section in the middle? That looks like your best bet for bow wood. How do the growth rings look?

mikkekeswick · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2015, 02:43:00 AM »

Yes definitely cut out the straight section and make billets.
Splicing is easy is you've got the patience to learn

Just practise on scrap pieces first and go slow. I get the fit as good as I possibly can and then steam the ends for 15 mins and immediately clamp together until cold. Bingo! Perfect mating surfaces.
Good luck.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2015, 09:18:00 AM »

I'll measure this AM and report back.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2015, 04:20:00 PM »

Ok The pieces measure 48 inches and 60 inches respectively, and 9 inches across. I figure cut the dogleg out of both pieces, and the ends, and should I be using a Carpenter saw, a reciprocating saw, or what? I don't really want to fire up my Huskay 181SE for nada.....

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2015, 04:39:00 PM »

I doubt if that Husky 181SE would even cut that Osage.. It's pretty tuff wood.. Ya otta buy a good chainsaw..

John Scifres · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2015, 04:48:00 PM »

Chainsaw. Next time cut the crooked part off in the field and save your energy for bow making. Have fun. Keep us in the loop.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2015, 05:38:00 PM »

Yikes!!

highpoint forge · « **Reply #28 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:58:00 PM »

Random split Osage porn from one of the 48" billets-

The challenge of splitting it in the middle is great.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #29 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:00:00 PM »

Anyone wanna see more? I sealed the ends with spar urethane. Obviously this stuff checked somewhat already, with sapwood full of bugs and it's still on the logs. should I draw knife the sapwood off and seal again? How much do I have to split before seasoning? Can it season in my garage?

highpoint forge · « **Reply #30 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:02:00 PM »

Cut it with a bucksaw by hand, started the splits with a hand axe & 4 pound hammer then followed with wedges.

fujimo · « **Reply #31 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:40:00 PM »

some nice rings there- i would get the sapwood off- otherwise the checks will open the heartwood.
then decide where to split it.
where the checks end- seems to be where the good rings start.you dont have to chase a ring perfectly at this stage, get the bad wood off, and seal the back as well- so that you are losing the moisture through the belly only.
then split and then you can even rough shape the billets- to remove excess wood- it will let it dry quicker- keep it out of the sun and the wind- dont chase the moisture out of it- move it progressively to drier and drier places- , do you have a moisture meter ? nice to check it, and follow it through the process,
but then you are in texas- so it might be very close to what you need already.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #32 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:58:00 PM »

I'll get that sapwood tomorrow a flying!

scrub-buster · « **Reply #33 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:03:00 PM »

I would take any usable pieces down to good solid heartwood and seal it at least a couple of times.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #34 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:22:00 PM »

will do.

highpoint forge · « **Reply #35 on:** February 21, 2015, 08:12:00 PM »

Wow day one with a draw knife. Damn. Wish mine was heavier and perhaps a hair wider. I got one 60" section down to the wormy part in upper rings, all sapwood gone and I coated it with spray urethane just for grins after splitting off 1/3. No sign of an insect anywhere but one tiny spider who took up residence in a bore hole. I realize I need to get underneath these though before final splits and storage.

fujimo · « **Reply #36 on:** February 21, 2015, 10:08:00 PM »

good man- keep agoing-

highpoint forge · « **Reply #37 on:** February 21, 2015, 11:31:00 PM »

Damn. Well getting it to split your way is tough goin'!

highpoint forge · « **Reply #38 on:** February 22, 2015, 01:05:00 PM »

Raining and cold....

scrub-buster · « **Reply #39 on:** February 22, 2015, 03:23:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by fujimo:
good man- keep agoing-

Is this the post you are talking about?

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=007695

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Author Topic: 10-11' Osage limb split - what now? PICS ADDED (Read 1280 times)

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