Black Locust Help

[Marshrat]

First of its been a while so Hey to Everyone.
Got a BL stave I worked at down to 1 ring got the sides rough shaped and let it finish drying. I took it out to start making it a bow. I knew i was going to have to straighten the bottom limb but now its got a twist. So I need to get some help with fixing this. And also there is a crack from the handle down the same limb can i back it with bamboo or something else to help this? Or have it got myself a piece of firewood LOL. This will be my first  stave to bow so any help is Welcomed
 Thanks To All
  Dennis 

[sailordad]

ya know ive grown to love saying this

pictures,pictures we need pictures lol
   
seriously though,pictures will get advise from the smart and talented folks on here.
dont worry i'm not one of them,i'm a newbie but this is good cause i think i may be cutting some bl and suger maple tonight

                                                                                  peace,
                                                                                        tim

[Marshrat]

I have no way nor do I know how to post pics. But will try and get someone to help me get some on here.

[bigcountry]

I am getting ready to cut a BL, and want to try to work it, but it sounds like it will crack in a heartbeat. 

[Marshrat]

The crack i have is only in the back and real small thats why I think backing may do it.

[George Tsoukalas]

Did you go to a heartwood back? Did you seal the back? If not do it. Sand it and get it ready for final finishing and put the fainal finish on it. How much twist in the limb? Jawge

[snedeker]

1.  Crack.  If it runs vertically down the back, its not too important. Leveling off this stave for bamboo backing would probably be more than you'd want to get into.  You can work in some carpenters glue and clamp.  It that area needs to be heat treated for twist, wait till after.  If its a horizontal crack, report back for another strategy.


2.  Twist.  BL responds well to dry heat.  If you don't have a heat gun, you can use a range top burner or a grill burner.  Heat the belly side a few inches away (you can get closer when you know what you are doing) get it uncomfortabley hot to touch and then a little more - a touch of scorch.  Secure in vise.  Clamp two wood slats, 1/2" x 2" x 20" long of so out past twist and use to gingerly lever in place.  Thats one strategy.

Dave

[snedeker]

Goerge's point is good.  My suggestiions assumed a heartwood back.

[Marshrat]

Thanks Guys yes its heart wood back I did seal before I set it up to dryI had brought it down to one ring then sealed it. The crack runs from whats to be the handle straght down the bottom limb almost in the center.  Sound I get it down ready to tiller before I try to straighten or do it now Sides are shaded and brought down to one ring is about as far as ive gotten

[Hillbilly]

How long is the crack? If it's not too big and it doesn't run off the side, just shoot some thin supergue in it and clamp it up.

[richpierce]

Straighten the twist before you glue it up, else the glue will melt anyway.