osage crack

[Lee Lobbestael]

Hey guys, I just finished tillering an osage bow and I noticed this small crack in the back of the bow. The crack is very small and seems to be confined within this small knot. I dont like that its running across the grain. What do you guys think? Will it hold? The bow is 52#@28" 67" tip to tip and almost two inches wide. Here is a picture.

[chamookman]

Lee - I'd flow some super glue in the crack while it's strung. Then shoot it some more keeping an Eye on that spot. Should be OK - Bob.

[Pappy]

What Bob said but I will add, if you have it already tillered it looks to me like you really need to clean up the back, I never start tillering until the back is pristine also you might clean out around the knot and get all the dead/rotten stuff away then super glue. 
 Pappy

[Lee Lobbestael]

Ok I actually did just that. I super glued it when strung. Seems to be holding. Good point on cleaning up the back of the bow. Usually I sand it completely smooth before tillering. Not sure why I didnt this time. Thanks guys

[Marc St Louis]

Ok I actually did just that. I super glued it when strung. Seems to be holding. Good point on cleaning up the back of the bow. Usually I sand it completely smooth before tillering. Not sure why I didnt this time. Thanks guys

Sand the back?  I tried teaching a guy how to make bows about 15 years ago and he did the same thing, after I told him not to.  He got a solid clunk on the head for his efforts when the bow exploded.  He decided he didn't want to make bows after that

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, sand it down to at least 220 grit. I go up to 700 grit.

When tillering knotted areas, I make sure to leave them a little flatter than the rest of the limb.

Jawge

[Lee Lobbestael]

Ok. Marc you don't sand the back of your bows?

[BowEd]

Round corner edges too Lee before any serious bending.Sure you know that too though.

[DC]

I don't see no stinkin' crack! Can you maybe describe it better. I would like to see what you guys are talking about. This happens quite often to me. People talking about a flaw that I can't see. And my eyes are pretty good too

[Lee Lobbestael]

Zoom on in there buddy!

[DC]

Oh, that. I just assumed that was the edge of the bark that you left in the knot.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Aint no thing Lee. Id be more surprised if a knot like that didn't pop a bit.

[Lee Lobbestael]

Thanks thats a relief. I really like the way this bow is turning out and its my first one in six months and the first one in my new house which we have been building all winter. Ill post the bow when it is all finished up.

[lebhuntfish]

What Bob said but I will add, if you have it already tillered it looks to me like you really need to clean up the back, I never start tillering until the back is pristine also you might clean out around the knot and get all the dead/rotten stuff away then super glue. 
 Pappy

+1

When I finish thank of my bows I mainly use a pristine scraper and on careful not to leave any stop and start marks withe the scraper. I use a curved scraper or my curved edge of my small pocket knife to get in all of the unusual places. When I'm done I burnish the heck out of the back. (after rounding the edges of course) the back normal looks and feels like I sanded it to 2000 grit and put a clear coat over it.

Patrick

[Marc St Louis]

Ok. Marc you don't sand the back of your bows?

Never on a selfbow