Another Moisture Content Question

[Robyn Hode]

I know this is been asked a hundred times in hundred different ways (cause I've read most of them) but I'm still a little puzzled how people can maintain good moisture content in cold weather.

Here in Indiana it has been between -7 and 30 degrees lately. All the bow wood in my garage have an moisture content of under 5%. Right now the garage temperature is 34 degrees (unheated garage) with a relative humidity of 27%. I have read that 5% is too low to work most wood including osage.

My question are:

1. Should I wait until the temperature is warmer and more humid or does it really matter?

2. Can I increase the humidity of the bow blank in the house to around 8-11% with a humidifier and take it out in the garage to work as long as I keep an eye on the MC content?

3. Are there any tricks or tips to get the MC up?

4. What bow wood works well under 5% in any?

Thanks for your help.

[mikkekeswick]

I'd make a well sealed box and put your wood in there with a bucket of water!
I have the opposite problem with humidity and store my hornbow in a plywood box I made with calcium chloride dihydrate, this keep the r.h. at about 40%.
A sealed box is very helpful to control the relevant factors.
1. Yes that would work but is slow!
2. That would also work and isn't quite as slow.
3. See above
4. Hickory would be your best bet but even then 5% is pushing it. A sinew backing would make most woods 'safe' though.
5. Make hornbows  

[John Scifres]

I never worry about it with osage.

My RH in the house is lower than the garage this time of year.  I don't have a humidifier.

[takefive]

I've used my drying/hot box as suggested and it works well.  I filled a couple of quart jars with water and put wet rags in a bowl and put a cheap temp/RH monitor inside.  It takes a few days to a week to raise the MC in the wood.

[George Tsoukalas]

The outside of the wood is 5%. The inside may not be.
I have the same situation in the Northeast.
Start the bow and keep checking.
Jawge