Chased a ring

[owlbait]

one damn long year! Osage with bugs (like one of my old girlfriends) but I'm finally at one ring on the back. Do I need to seal it? I still need to deal with straightening and curing a twist. I like how about 1/3 of the bow is that nice amber brown. How do I get the rest of the bow like that?

[koan]

It will turn that color over time Owl... If its still green i would seal the back. I just use the $.50 a bottle dollar general school glue cuz it scrapes off easy later... Brian

[George Tsoukalas]

Seal it with what you intend to finish it with if you have any doubts or if you take a while to finish it. Get it bow ready. Remove nicks. I use a pen knife. Sand with 100, 220, 400 and 600 grit. Don't overdo so as not to go through a ring.  Then seal it. I never stain osage. Jawge

[owlbait]

Thanks guys. I sure as heck don't want to chase another ring, besides, I'm not sure I would have enough wood left. Should I reduce it to bow dimensions before trying to straighten and de-twist?

[Pat B]

I seal any newly exposed bow backs, no matter what wood it is and how seasoned it is. Spray shellac is my sealer of choice. I keep a can on my work bench all the time. It is easily remover if necessary, will accept any other finish and holds up to steam and heat.
 Yes.  Reduce your stave to floor tiller stage so you don't have so much wood to heat.

[koan]

Jawge, thats good advice... might explain why ive had a couple finish jobs take so long to set and sometimes curdle, lol.... Brian

[osage outlaw]

I seal any newly exposed bow backs, no matter what wood it is and how seasoned it is. Spray shellac is my sealer of choice. I keep a can on my work bench all the time. It is easily remover if necessary, will accept any other finish and holds up to steam and heat.
 Yes.  Reduce your stave to floor tiller stage so you don't have so much wood to heat.

What Pat said.  I reseal every back with shellac when I'm done chasing a ring or if I quit for the day.

[soy]

I seal any newly exposed bow backs, no matter what wood it is and how seasoned it is. Spray shellac is my sealer of choice. I keep a can on my work bench all the time. It is easily remover if necessary, will accept any other finish and holds up to steam and heat.
 Yes.  Reduce your stave to floor tiller stage so you don't have so much wood to heat.

What Pat said.  I reseal every back with shellac when I'm done chasing a ring or if I quit for the day.

X3 it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it

[PEARL DRUMS]

Im a renegade. I never seal anything. But my stave are stored in a fairly controlled environment.

[owlbait]

Thanks PD. Mine are stored on an open air rack in my carport. Its been a pain (arthritis)(lack of skills) to get to the clean one ring back. Any special bow formula/dimensions you care to share?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Nope, figure it out teach!


Make a replica of Kevin's mulberry bow and you will be happy. Make it identical, except take 1/4" off the width.

[owlbait]

Thanks PD. Guess I've gone to the well too many times.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Nah, just ribbing you.