Been a long time, Osage question

[Lee Lobbestael]

I just started my first self bow in seven years.  I have been building laminated bows in the meantime. I got an Osage stave that I have started on. I don't know when it was cut but the surface moisture content was around 10 percent. After chasing a ring I checked again abs l and the interior moisture content averaged around 12 percent. My question is,  is Osage safe to quick dry from 12 or 13 percent?
 

[Lee Lobbestael]

I was thinking I would rough it out and then maybe put it in my heat box.

[Pat B]

Sounds like the stave is at equilibrium with the local R/H. It should dry some more as you work it. I would seal the back(I use shellac) then it should be safe to put in the hot box. If you don't seal the back it will probably develop checks on the back. 

[George Tsoukalas]

Lee, I remember. Welcome back.

I like my osage at 8-10 %. When I get a reading above that I put it on my forced hot water register until I get 8-10%.

Good idea Pat has but I don't  like shellac. I give the back of "wet" bows a spray of spar urethane. I don't stain osage so it doesn't matter.

Jawge

[Lee Lobbestael]

Thank you! Thanks guys I'll seal the back and rough it out

[osage outlaw]

Where was the stave stored?  If it was in house house, it should be ready for the hot box.  If it was in the garage, it might be a good idea to rough it out and bring it in the house for a couple weeks before the hot box. 

[Hamish]

 I never trust an osage stave without some sort of coating on the back, until its floor tillered, bending enough for a string. Some osage likes to check, especially in larger sections, when the back isn't sealed.

[Lee Lobbestael]

I'm not sure how it was stored. I bought it online. I sealedthe back and will bring it to a stiff floor tiller Monday. Moisture content on the surface already dropped from when I first made this post

[bradsmith2010]

I think if you take your time tillering ,, it will dry as you go,,

[Lee Lobbestael]

Brad, that was kinda my thought