Author Topic: How do I tell where the set is coming from  (Read 6340 times)

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Offline DC

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How do I tell where the set is coming from
« on: March 10, 2015, 07:36:51 pm »
When I started tillering I had 3 7/8" reflex. It held for a bit of tillering and now I noticed it's lost 1/16" of reflex. Now I know that 1/16" is nothing to worry about but it does mean that it's taking a bit of set somewhere. How do I tell where the set is coming from? I don't see any hinging. I'm not even to brace yet. I would like to keep it to a minimum.

Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2015, 07:39:20 pm »
Draw the unbraced full profile onto something. Now just check against it.
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline DC

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2015, 07:56:02 pm »
And if the set keeps increasing but I can't pin it down to one spot then I'm probably OK? Like I said I'm OK with some set. :)

Offline PatM

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2015, 08:14:53 pm »
 It just gets distributed throughout the working portions if your tillering is even.
 One thing that never seems to be mentioned is whether the reflex is real or dried in. People always say that loss of dried in reflex is set but it doesn't really reflect the true nature of the wood.
 It's just the wood going back to the way it was in tree form.

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2015, 08:29:34 pm »
Don't worry about 1/16". Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline paulsemp

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2015, 08:33:05 pm »
I was going to say 1/16?

Offline Badger

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2015, 08:38:52 pm »
  1/16 is too small to even start looking. You can get that much just floor tillering.

Offline DC

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2015, 10:15:28 pm »
It just gets distributed throughout the working portions if your tillering is even.
 One thing that never seems to be mentioned is whether the reflex is real or dried in. People always say that loss of dried in reflex is set but it doesn't really reflect the true nature of the wood.
 It's just the wood going back to the way it was in tree form.

I've wondered about this. OS, like VineMaple seems to pull itself into reflex as it dries. The back shrinking I guess. So I should expect some or all of that "reflex" to go away as I bend it?
For everyone that was wondering about the 1/16". I said in the original post that I knew it was nothing to worry about but it was an indication that something was happening. It's taken an inch of "set" since then. My OS seems to do this. I'll have to let it dry longer even though it's found equilibrium for over a month.

Offline Pappy

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2015, 09:43:50 am »
Never seen a wood bow that didn't take set, just a matter of keeping it to a minimum.  ;)
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Offline make-n-break

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2015, 09:53:23 am »
I have always been under the impression that anything less than 1.5" is a success.
"When making a bow from board staves you are freeing a thing of dignity from the humiliation of static servitude." -TBB1

Offline Del the cat

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2015, 01:18:55 pm »
I have always been under the impression that anything less than 1.5" is a success.
Sounds a good rule of thumb to me...
Del
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Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2015, 03:32:51 pm »
yes but depending on where you live,, the moisture content might be high in the stave,,

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2015, 03:36:08 pm »
DC, how far in the tillering are you?
Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline Pat B

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2015, 07:00:01 pm »
IMO, the best way to see where the set is coming from is to look in a mirror.  ;)
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

mikekeswick

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Re: How do I tell where the set is coming from
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2015, 04:16:44 am »
IMO, the best way to see where the set is coming from is to look in a mirror.  ;)

Nail on it's proverbial head! ;D


I always draw the bows side profile onto my tillering board before even starting tillering. It really, really helps in pinning down where the set is.
I agree 1/16th ain't much but it's an indicator of what will happen further on down the process for certain.
I agree that just because the wood is at equilibrium doesn't mean it's ready to make a bow.
EMC is determined by a combination of temperature and relative humidity. For me, at the moment EMC is about 18%..... = not good! Lot's of set!
Try hotboxing it for a few days. Weigh it accurately before it goes into the box then keep weighing it evry day or so to see whats going on.