Questions About Chasing An Osage Ring

[Carl Galvin]

Good Morning guys,


I have started to experiment with chasing an osage ring, and have been doing so with a small 51 inch stave that I got my hands on.  I am practicing on this one before attempting anything on the 72 seasoned stave that I have waiting for me.

My question is what do you all do to make sure that you mark the same osage ring on both ends of the stave. That is, if  you have found a ring you like, how do you know where that ring is on the other end of the stave?  Thanks!

[bushboy]

I just pick a ring and work from one end to the other.

[Carl Galvin]

When you get  the heartwood, is it as dark as it appears on the end of the stave?

[Dances with squirrels]

Yes, pretty much. The first yellow ring might be in transition, turning from sapwood to heartwood, and not yet as dark as those beneath it, or might turn whitish somewhere else on the stave, if so, go to the next one.

[Carl Galvin]

Is it sae to say that the heartwood s that darker, school bus yellow?

Also, what constitutes violating the growth ring? is causing a slight tool mark sufficient to damage that ring?  Thanks

[bushboy]

A true violation is cutting through a ring completely exposing the early wood of the one under.

[Carl Galvin]

Thanks guys for the feedback.