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schneider554

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hickory branch wood
« on: March 09, 2008, 09:52:27 pm »
Hello everyone,
Im new to this forum and new to primitive archery much less bow building.  I have an opportunity to get some hickory branches that are 6"-8" diameter.  Will this work alright for making a bow or does it have to be from the trunk of the tree (which has already been chipped up) Any tips would be great.
Thanks
Brian
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Offline chessieboy

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2008, 10:09:46 pm »
Wood is wood. As long as its not rotten ,twisted, knotted or the like it'll work fine.
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Offline Auggie

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2008, 12:31:04 am »
Dude,split them,seal the ends with glue,shellac,whatever is handy,strip the bark off,seal it.Right where the bark comes off is the back of your bows.If the wood is green get your splits as close to bow size so it wiil take less time for drying,then youre on your way! In the mean time look for bow wood that is ready to work now,this is an addiction you dont want to wait to start. Auggie
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Offline Pat B

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2008, 12:47:10 am »
With limbs you will have compression, tension and action wood, depending on where in the limb it came from. Top of the limb is the tension wood. Staves split off that side will usually draw into reflex. How much depends on the particular limb. I believe that some of the Western Native Americans would remove a stave from the upper part(top hemisphere) of a limb and the tree would live on.
   Mark the orientation of the stave to the limb and watch them as they dry. You may have to strap some to a 2x4 or 4x4 to prevent too much reflex or a sideways bend.     Pat
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Offline Hillbilly

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2008, 09:33:37 am »
The challenge with hickory will be finding a limb that isn't all crooked and knotty. The trunks often grow straight, but the limbs can be a different story.
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Offline DanaM

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2008, 09:38:25 am »
Welcome to PA, glad ya joined us.
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Offline Kegan

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2008, 09:55:56 pm »
Branches have always made excellent bows for me. Just work them like any other- the only difference being in the warping. Like Pat said- tie it down. Straight bows are tons easier than reflexed, deflexed, warped, or otherwise.
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Offline El Destructo

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2008, 11:23:15 pm »
Just have to make sure that you plan the Bow around the tension Growth of the Branch....see the picture of a White Cedar Branch I cut...you can see where the Main Branch grew...and all of the Extra Growth it grew to Support the Heavy Branch...the Top of the Picture is the Top of the Branch....see where the Center Pith is???

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schneider554

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Re: hickory branch wood
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2008, 10:36:18 pm »
Thanks everyone for the information.  The pieces I got are kind of crooked but one of the pieces is good and straight for about 4' before the crook and its not terribly severe.  I think if im careful i can get a good stave out of it.
Thanks again
Brian
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