Hello to all. My name is Dale Thomas, from Stratford, Ontario. I have been reading posts and enjoying this message board since last January. I have limited computer skills, but hope to learn quickly. I will have to learn how to post pics.,as well as how to run my new camera. A thank you goes out to all of the helpful bowyers out there who share their knowledge and make this board what it is. Now, for my first question. I have made bamboo backed bows,as well as numerous selfbows of ring porous woods such as hickory, ash, and elm. A fellow that I met recently, owns a sawmill and has since our meeting, cut down a dead straight hard maple for me. It is about 14' long by about 8" in diameter.NICE GUY! The only problem that I see is that the growth rings are not what I am used to seeing[1/4" usually]. They are probably 1/8" or less. Is that a problem, or does hard maple ,being diffuse-porous,need wide growth rings to make unbacked selfbows? If I don't need wide growth rings, than I will have at least 8 pipe-straight, knot-free staves. I am looking forward to some input and will post some pics. etc. when I figure out what I am doing with my camera and computer.
