My dumbest mistake yet!

[Badger]

   I built two bows last week, both boo backed yew recurves.  The first one took a bit more set than I wanted so I built a second one with a few changes, shorter handle and fades and a little less reflex to start.

   The second one I was pretty happy with so I figured I was good to go for this years broadhead bow. Every time I looked at these bows they appeared to have taken more set than I originally measured. At first I thought I must have measure wrong so I didn't think much of it but as each day went by it kept getting worse. This morning I checked them again and there was no mistaking that they were taking on set just sitting! The first one went from 2" reflex to 1/2" follow. The second one went from 3" reflex to 1" reflex so far and I expect tomorrow it will be even worse.

     I sat there scratching my head for about 5 minutes before the light went on. I had a complete senior moment. I had completely ignored the fact that I had steamed these limbs and then glued them up and finished them while still wet. As they dry they dry on the outside first shrinking on the outside I assume. Not sure what is going to happen when the inside finally dries. I can't believe I zoned out like that. I guess it is time I have top admit to myself I am now a senior citizen and allow myself a bit more thinking time!

[Hawkdancer]

Got to start making a list and checking it twice!  Measure twice before measuring twice, then " Cut once!"  Welcome to the "old guy club"! 
Hawkdancer

[DC]

Rule number one--don't rush I break it all the time and it usually bites me.

Did you glue in any reflex or steam it all in?

[Badger]

Rule number one--don't rush I break it all the time and it usually bites me.

Did you glue in any reflex or steam it all in?

  On the second one I glued in a couple inches. If I can quickly round up another chunk of yew I still have time to do one more.

[DC]

I just measured the Boo OS which has been drying for a few days and it did the same thing, only about 1/4" of reflex loss but all it's done is dry. It lost 1 gram in 3-4 days.

[Pat B]

Steve, can you clamp them back in the form and let them dry more? Maybe they will hold a little reflex or at least be flat.

[Badger]

Steve, can you clamp them back in the form and let them dry more? Maybe they will hold a little reflex or at least be flat.

  Exactly what I am planning to do. Just going to lash them down with some blocks under the ends

[DC]

Are you thinking that was the cause of most of the set?

[Dances with squirrels]

It's ok to think fast... but usually better to make bows slow.

[Badger]

Are you thinking that was the cause of most of the set?

  I think so Don, funny thing was before I cut up the block of yew I was careful to check the moisture. But after I steamed it for some reason moisture never crossed my mind again. I made another mistake on the same bow that worked out ok. After I bans sawed the limbs out of the block I always flatten them on the sander. I completely forgot to flatten them. As it worked out the bandsaw cuts were nice and straight and I ended up with flawless glue lines anyway but it could have been a real problem.

[Marc St Louis]

One of the reasons I much prefer dry heat for reflexing

Depending on the glue you could clamp them down on a form belly side up and use dry heat.  Risky but...........

[bradsmith2010]

I think the lightly dry heat will help them return to normal,,but never tried it,, so if it blows up I didnt say that,,

[Badger]

One of the reasons I much prefer dry heat for reflexing

Depending on the glue you could clamp them down on a form belly side up and use dry heat.  Risky but...........

  I used smooth on so it will take some heat. Nothing to loose

[Marc St Louis]

Probably best to do that outside and wear goggles and a safety helmet 

[loefflerchuck]

I recently took a $125 osage stave down to one ring on the back then took it over to the bandsaw to remove some of the belly and cut in the thicker handle. I was 2/3 of the way done when I realized I was removing the back and had ruined the stave. Don’t feel too bad Steve.