First attempt at a Sinew Back Osage Recurve (progress pics posted)

[Danzn Bar]

Thanks, Donald

Well after two days of drying it has pulled a little reflex.  The string is is not as tight as it was.  It's really going to be difficult to stay away form this bow for 6-8 weeks, it will be closer to 6 I'm sure. 

After close inspection I found two cracks in the belly 3/4 the way up one of the limbs,  I was very surprised to see this and thought is was too dry in my shop.  The RH has dropped to 19-20%. I'm sure it's from the furnace running 24-7 with below 0 deg F temps all night. 
I was real concerned until I revisited TBB I chapter on sinew backing.  It said that this could happen, and the cracks cause no problems. good news.    Love those books for later reference.

Has anyone else experienced this? And should I fill the cracks with super glue?  If so when do I apply the glue, now or just before I start tillering?  Here's a couple of photos.

Thanks,
DBar   

[KellyG]

This one should really thump and arrow.

[adams89]

if you can feel the crack,just fill it up with epoxy and a heatgun before tillering,
if it's just a dark stripe and it doesn't run out to the sides, leave it as it is

Looks great to me,
greetings from germany

[Pat B]

I'd fill the checks with thin super glue and the sooner the better. It will stop the checks from growing.
 I have an old Jay Massey sinew backed osage and it has lots of belly checks in it.

[Parnell]

Just caught up on this D-Bar.  Looks like it is going to be a very fine bow.  Lovely work.

[mikekeswick]

Those cracks are from the sinew shrinking laterally as it is drying. With the low humidity (very fast drying)you have it would be advisable to slow the drying at least for the first week to prevent problems like this.
If you are going to put more sinew on put it down the middle to raise the crown.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Id keep it in the bathroom for a few weeks Bassmaster. The few extra points of humidity will help. And as Pat said, fill them now with thin thin super glue.

[Danzn Bar]

Thanks guys, got the cracks filled with glue.
DBar

[Gus]

Excellent Thread!
Thank You for sharing your progress.

Looking Great So Far...
I'm watching and learning.



-gus

[hochgaertner]

An incredible work, beautiful curves and a very interesting thread.

Greetings from Bavaria
Peter

[Danzn Bar]

Well guys,  It's drier that a popcorn fart in this house.   If that sinew isn't dry by now it never will be.  With the heat going 24-7 due to the below freezing temps for the last few weeks the RH in the house hasn't been above 20% for a long time. 

I was working on some POC arrows today and trying to straighten them, broke 2 due them being very dry.  They were very crispy. 
I'm going to get into the shop tomorrow and do a little work on the bow I shouldn't have much tillering left to do.  I'll post some pic's tomorrow of the progress.
Have a good weekend,
Till next time
DBar

[osage outlaw]

Looking forward to seeing your progress Bill

[Badly Bent]

I'll have to check back tomorrow for the pics, look forward to seeing this one braced and bending Bill.

[Danzn Bar]

Here she is at 54# @28"...........need your eyes on the tiller, what do you think.  My full draw length is 27 in the last pic.
I put it on the tree and pulled her to 28" and the string just lifts at the nocks.  At my 27 its lays on the limb just a bit.  I'm thinking on cutting off the tips and moving the nock in about an inch.  Then it would lift at my 27" draw.  Do you think I would gain anything?

[Badly Bent]

Man Bill I hate giving tiller advice, especially from a picture but does it maybe need work mid to outer at top?