How fast does maple gain moisture?

[Lee Lobbestael]

I have a maple bow I am almost done tillering but it has been rainy and damp the last few days and I don't know if I should go ahead and finish tillering or wait till this weekend when I can dry it by the woodstove? What do you guys think?

[Pat B]

Its not good to finish a bow during wet weather not only because the wood holds moisture but it adversely can affect the finish. I'd give it a few days.

[wizardgoat]

In Vancouver if i had to wait for a dry day to finish a bow I'd never finish one!
when i start bending a bow it comes inside where its warm and dry after everytime i work it.
i also tung oil inside my kitchen when its raining and wet outside.

[Badger]

  I live in a fairly humid climate most of the time on the coast in So Cal, we average about 65%.  I like the way maple responds to the climate here. I am guessing it settles in around 10%.

[mikekeswick]

I've found maple to be good in my climate too. All winter is above 80% humidity.....

[Lee Lobbestael]

Ok thanks guys. I really need to get a moisture meter

[Will H]

Ok thanks guys. I really need to get a moisture meter

Moisture meters are great for building lam bows with thin layers that can accurately be read. But with staves, bow blanks, and bows they aren't much good. I reccomend you learn more about eqlibrium moisture content and use this chart to give you a better idea of where your wood is at with MC.

[George Tsoukalas]

My moisture meter takes surface readings. I just keep using it as I work the bow. When I get a reading >10%, I stop and let it dry by a heat source if possible.
I like 8-10% for all woods except hickory which works best at 6-8%.

[burchett.donald]

  I like that chart Will 
                                       Don

[Will H]

George, I didn't mean to say they didn't have their place in making bows. I just wanted to make sure he knew there was an alternative to spending $100 plus on an instrument to measure moisture when a ten dollar thermometer from the store that shows RH will achieve the same thing.

[George Tsoukalas]

Will, no problem. Jawge