Heating osage

[Jeremy Holden]

I'm working on my second Osage bow.  First one didn't pan out...  Anyway, I need to straighten on limb as it has reflex.  The other limb is fairly flat but I want to add deflex to it as well as the before mentioned limb.  My question is, to I do this prior to or after tillering?  I'm guessing, common sense, that I want to get both limbs looking the some and then tiller.  Right?!  Thanks men (and women).

-Jeremy

[PEARL DRUMS]

I would add relfex rather than try to remove it. I see some folks get the wood way too hot and cook it just to make a simple bend. In my opinion thats very bad and will cause breaks and nasty cracks. I have made some pretty good bends with dry heat and the wood color looks no different when Im done. I guess Im saying dont over cook your wood.

[Pat B]

Jeremy, do you have a caul or form to clamp your bow to? I likie to make both limbs the same even if it means adding and/or taking away some reflex. It is a lot easier to tiller that way.  When I'm adding reflex I use oil on the wood to help prevent scorching and I think it holds the heat longer and distributes it more evenly. Any cooking oil will work.

[Jeremy Holden]

I think I may have been confused.  One limb is bending towards the belly.  I want to remove that and make the limb (both actually) bend away from me.  Reflex, deflex, whatever it takes.  Pat, I have half a caul.  I was gonna do one limb at a time.  Do I need to not be cheap and go buy the proper length board?

-Jeremy

[Pat B]

Jeremy, no you can do one limb at a time. Be sure you clamp the full handle with each limb so both limbs work off the same plane the handle is on. This should give both limbs the same reflex.
  BTW...reflex the bow bends away from the shooter, deflex the bow bends to the shooter.  Reflex bends toward the back of the bow, deflex bends towards the belly.   

[Jeremy Holden]

Thank you Pat, yes, I want to get rid of deflex and add reflex.  I'll give it a go.

-Jeremy