recipe for explosion (vine maple version)

[DEllis]

Take one fairly short bow, add high crown, a dab of medium high draw weight, and just a pinch of low humidity.
BOOM
Some specifics.
Vine maple sapling 1.5 inch diameter.
55" ntn
62# at 26 inch draw.
Semi stiff handle.
relative humidity has been hovering between 20% and 30% for the last couple months.
Too much strain on the high crowned back..........moisture content was probably down to less than 6%
Live and learn.
Probably would have been fine with a slightly less stained design.....or at higher MC.
Moral of the story, if you live where the humidity is low, keep the design a bit less strained
Darcy

[Pat B]

Looks like it was an exciting explosion!     That is a good set of rules to consider when making and shooting wood bows. 

[DEllis]

Yup Pat, it was a bit shocking, but not too surprising........happened probably 20 shots into my shooting session........that one good sized piece top right in the pic almost hit the target 15 yards away
Darcy

[Elktracker]

Sorry to see that happened to ya but I think you have it pegged on the cause. I have at or right around 100% humidity living so close to the Ocean (Oregon Coastal rain forest) so I havent delt with the low humidity factor yet.

[Matt S.]

Wait, did that happen when you were shooting it? 
I would have needed to change my pants!

[Gordon]

Vine maple does not do well with a very low moisture content - I've had a few come apart for the same reason. In the summer I go so far as to move my vine maple bows out of my air-conditioned house into the garage to avoid dropping the moisture content too low.

[ricktrojanowski]

That looks like it would have left you with a fat lip for sure   Punching yourself just add insult to the sadness of the broken bow.

[Sidewinder]

Thanks for the warning on VM. I traded for a couple staves and have'nt worked em yet but its nice to know. Sorry to hear about your loss but at least there are'nt any shards stuck in your skull.   Danny

[sharpend60]

Ive been there recently.

All part of the fun!



Sorta...

[DEllis]

Vine maple does not do well with a very low moisture content - I've had a few come apart for the same reason. In the summer I go so far as to move my vine maple bows out of my air-conditioned house into the garage to avoid dropping the moisture content too low.

Thanks for the heads up Gordon. Will have to find a way to keep VM hydrated a bit better in the future.
No fat lip or other injuries.......I was at full draw when she let go. You kinda stand there and go WHATWASDAT! Then it's like, OH, my bow blew up!
Thanks,
Darcy

[medicinewheel]

... You kinda stand there and go WHATWASDAT! Then it's like, OH, my bow blew up!
...

Always surprised about myself to never react impulsive or angry when one blows, sometimes just standing there for a minute or two thinking 'Uh, this one came apart...'

[Del the cat]

Hmmm yeah, over 60#from a 1.5" diameter is a bit extreme when only 55" ntn, and some people still say you shouldn't de-crown a stave   .
I think something had to give, I'd have gone for decrowning to maintain the fullest possible width and let the draw weight drop to 50#
But that's just my feline opinion.... I reserve the right to be wrong .
Looked like a great explosion tho' 
Del

[Pappy]

O man I hate it when that happend.
   Pappy

[crooketarrow]

   THAT BLEW UP REAL GOOD