im gonna go crazy!!!!!!!!!

[Squirrelslayer]

arghhhhhhhhh.  just when i thought my troubles were over as far as finding good bow wood was concerned. ok so i give this guy a call whos number i got from a guy who makes bows at my archery club, i ask him what wood can you give me and says he has a log 60" long made of... YEW!!!!!  ;Dat this point im jumping around really happy. he then gives me a call today saying "hi there i cut that log down into 3 20" long peices so it will be easier for you to take home" arghhhhhhh that was sooo anoying i could have got 2 nice bows out of that log and he ruined it man i really must be more clear about what i want. although you would have thought that scince he gives wood to my freind at the club wood for bows that he would have kept it in one peice for me. oh well never mind :embarassed: SS

[bubby]

boy, it sucks to be you today

[Squirrelslayer]

yep as if my deflex stave wasent bad enough i get this call

[Squirrelslayer]

well looks like things are starting to brighten up as far as my stave search is concerned. i went down to the guy who cut up my yew to see what else he had, most was pine and twisted oak (which wouldent of been that bad thinking about it now) anyway so i spot this bit of wood around 40" long with a wide diamitre and so i look at the growth rings and i could not beleve my eyes they are so thick and it's 15 yrs old (like me) and the thickest ring is 1/2" thick and there all around that. i do have to admit it does have some knots which im not proud of (not as many as my christmas tree bow.) but i immagine it's big enough to split into 4 quaters and if i splice 2 together and the other 2 together then i have 2 bows so i ask the guy how much and he says take it i cut it only last week, which means i  got to wait a year until i can use it. i will upload a vid as pics just ar'nt working for me right now and then ill upload it here.

[BowEd]

What kind of wood is it does he know.

[DarkSoul]

Most wood species that potentially have half an inch wide growth rings, are useless for bows. It is imperative you figure out the wood species, to prevent a second Christmas tree bow.

[Squirrelslayer]

no thats the one thing we don't know but the guy from my club says he's made bows from it before. im hoping someone on here can tell me what it is, im uploading a video of it now as we speak the log is 7" in diamatre and i have not got a clue on how im going to split this thing as i don't have the right kind off tools to do it. but im uploading the video of it as we speak so will post that when it's done SS

[Squirrelslayer]

Most wood species that potentially have half an inch wide growth rings, are useless for bows. It is imperative you figure out the wood species, to prevent a second Christmas tree bow.

opps. there actualy only 1/4" thick. SS

[Squirrelslayer]

and heres the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibv14h3yQLQ

SS

[Buckeye Guy]

Maple !

[Squirrelslayer]

it's maple? horray finnaly a good bow wood   (i think, anyone ever used maple?) SS

[ionicmuffin]

the color of the bark is not the same as my maple but its the same texture.

[rossfactor]

Yep, I'd say it's a maple. Most maples can make a bow, but they vary considerably in quality.  Meaning you'd make some maple bows wider and longer than you would others. 

If you can't figure it out, I'd keep her at least 2" wide at the fades, pyramid style limbs and 68" long. I'm assuming your going to try and splice billets?  Do a search in the build along section for how this is done.

Gabe

[WillS]

Hard to tell with the video, but as you're splitting and splicing/billeting anyway, there might be a way of using that s-shape to give you a natural D/R bow. 

Looks like it has a nice natural reflexed end, so use the end of the log sitting on your floor for both limb tips.  I'd leave the snaky bow profile until you know what you're doing and have a few bows under your belt.

I only glanced at the video and I may be seeing something that isn't there regarding the D/R idea.

[danny f]

hi mate, i have a piece of ash board  here if you want it, it is 70" long and 2" wide i will take it to a pyramid style if you want and get it to rough bow thickness , and send it to you to tiller and finish off. i will glue on the block for the riser,  for you unless you want to do it. the grain is good it  just runs out slightly at one end but i dont think it will affect it, but you could back if you didnt feel right. if you want it i will see how much postage is and you pay me postage and i will send it to you i dont want owt for the wood. at least you will have something to get you going instead of messing around with old christmas trees lol.