I need to bend a couple pieces of osage orange for chair back slats. My wood stash is over 30 years in storage and quite dry. The slats will be ~ 4" wide x ~ 1/2 thick x ~22" long.
I have never tried bending this species and do know that archery bow makers bend this species for primitive style bows. Most often they use uncured wood so I suppose I'll need to rough out my parts and soak them. I am considering buying an Earlex steamer or construction of a simple metal tray to boil a few slats. Species wise this is a one time project for a lifetime wood worker but i have used osage wood before unbent.
Ideas? Thanks!!!