Water logged

[sleek]

So, I have a roughed out bow from an osage stave that was half rotted in the woods. Its was reduced to stave form in the first few days, then roughed out bow a few days later. It's been stored now inside in air conditioner for 4 days, and outside in the shade basically for a week. I dont have a grain scale to measure weight loss or I'd just do that. How long does it take a well cured piece of wood to dry out from being wet? I'm fighting the urge to get this bow shooting

[Pat B]

Some whitewoods will dry enough for bow building in a month or 2 under the right conditions. Osage doesn't dry that quickly.  Even though you're itching to build a bow you will be better served waiting a couple of months at least. Overstressing a wet bow will increase the set where as a well seasoned bow can give you a bow for a lifetime.

[Hawkdancer]

Sleek, you might try to improvise a balance scale by using a metric measuring cup and water as the ballast.  1 cc of water weighs about 27 grains if I remember correctly (probably don't). But it is close,
And will tell you if the bow is losing weight.
Hawkdancer

[sleek]

Sleek, you might try to improvise a balance scale by using a metric measuring cup and water as the ballast.  1 cc of water weighs about 27 grains if I remember correctly (probably don't). But it is close,
And will tell you if the bow is losing weight.
Hawkdancer

I love this idea. Metric system makes so much sense, I wish it were the standard.  However, I have put the bow blank in the barn, out of sight. I really hope I forget about it for a few months, cause this rash is like poison ivy. This is a VERY special piece of wood. Its figured osage found in the woods at MOJAM behind my campsite. It must have been forg9and left for many many years. It's been to more MOJAMS than most folks have. Kyle and I found it together and split the stash. Next year we are doing a flight shoot off between each others bow/s we get from it.

I will also be taking the belly cut outs and making bamboo backed laminates. The birds eye figuring will hopefully come out great

[Hawkdancer]

Sounds like fun!  Btw, a quick search says 1 gram(Gm) equals 15.432 grains(gr) - however since a grain is 1/7000 of a pound, you can reasonably forget the decimal point! . I do think I will stick with grains for measuring powder charges, though!  Looking forward to seeing the bows.  Also, always wear long pants in those woods !
Hawkdancer

[DC]

I think Baker suggested tying the stave to one end of a balance beam. Tie a weight to the other end of the beam and slide it back and forth until the stave and the weight balance nicely. Every day take a look at it. If the stave is higher then it's losing weight. Readjust to level and wait. When the two stay even for a week or so you're golden

PS I don't recommend hanging this in the living room