Need a short lesson on growth rings and chasing a single ring for Osage

[Ink]

If its extra thin rings your chasing, sometimes its benificial to use some 60 grit sand paper to help chase the ring as well as a scraper.

[jrmeza]

Slim, i hate it because I know you are right okay okay, next time i break that log out again, ill take it down another ring and make it flawless!  No point in doing it half assed if ill be feeling it later!

[George Tsoukalas]

Here's how I do it. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/osage.html

[Pat B]

Will you post a pic of the end grain?...both ends.

[TimBo]

I don't know about the duct tape; I like a spray can of shellac for quickly sealing backs.  It scrapes off easily later.  Glad you figured things out!

[JoJoDapyro]

Do you have a scraper? Let me know, I can send one your way.

[jrmeza]

Heh nope i just own a drawn knife, some rasp and files, and a belt sander 

Pat yea i can post a picture once i get home from work!

[JoJoDapyro]

PM me your address, i'll send one of the scrapers that Tyke makes. It will be your best friend!

[jrmeza]

Here's the pics of the growth ring, pretty slim on the top, and I am too afraid to go down to those thicker rings because I'm afraid I'll run out of wood for a riser

[huisme]

If the thin rings give you any more trouble I'd go down to that first thicker ring. Can we get something for scale next to those ends?

[SLIMBOB]

Yep. I'd get into the first meaty ring, all things equal. As Marc said, need something for reference on the pics.

Find the ring you want looking at the end grain. I will typically just go straight to that ring on one end of the stave and peel everything on top of it off as I go down the stave. Your better off I think, taking one ring at a time off until you reach your target ring. Lots of good practice in ring chasing, and if you have a perfect one early on, use it. Use the end grain as the starting point either way.

[JW_Halverson]

Ok, those skinny rings can be stinkers!  But you can beat 'em with patience, I guaran-doggone-tee it.  I've done it and plenty of others have too. 

And think of it this way...if you have to take one more ring, it isn't that much deeper into the stave!

[jrmeza]

lol for the sake of avoiding going through the process of taking more pictures and having to download them to tinypic, the darker one (sealed with glue) is 2.5 inches from the back of the bow to the corner, the lighter one that isn't sealed is 3 inches, hey JW thats pretty positive thinking! I guess there always has to be SOME silver lining