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Author Topic: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?  (Read 1967 times)

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Offline liyeliye123123

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Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« on: January 25, 2020, 10:12:01 am »
Hi guys.

I ve never used red elm before. Do I use the heartwood or the sapwood and do I need to chase a ring like Osage?

Thank you! 

Li
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Offline IrishJay

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2020, 10:49:21 am »
I'm far from an expert, but I'm working on my second elm bow now. I used the ring directly beneath the bark for the back on both. The finished bow is shooting very well, 42# @28" about 54" ntn. Quick little bow.
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Offline sleek

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2020, 10:50:04 am »
I've never had luck with red elm, it always took 3 inches of set even at 2 inches wide. I only used heart wood though, per9you should keep sap on the back.

That being said, I have seen some red elm bows on here that were nice, so perhaps the tree I had was just not a good tree.
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2020, 12:15:08 pm »
Like Jay, I use the sapwood right under the bark for a selfbow. I've made a few elm bows and was very impressed with it as a bow wood. Elm does do well with heat treated belly.
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Offline IrishJay

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2020, 12:22:53 pm »
+1 on the heat treat Pat. It also takes heat shaping (I use wet heat) very well.
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"The best camouflage pattern is called, 'Sit down and be quiet!' Your grandpa hunted deer in a red plaid coat, think about that for a second." - Fred Bear

Offline sleek

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2020, 12:42:33 pm »
Quote from: Pat B on January 25, 2020, 12:15:08 pm
Like Jay, I use the sapwood right under the bark for a selfbow. I've made a few elm bows and was very impressed with it as a bow wood. Elm does do well with heat treated belly.

Now, I've made a few elm bows and it's my favorite wood to have a bow made from, but red elm specifically I'd say is very finicky. I dont want my comment to sound as if I dont favor elm at all.
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Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline Pat B

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2020, 04:34:55 pm »
I've used red and I've used winged and found both about the same. One bow I built was a 60" static recurve, 56#@26". Actually I've made 2 like this, both elm but not sure which elm.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline bassman

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2020, 07:43:23 pm »
All I know about Red Elm is that it looks pretty between 2 pieces of clear glass on a recurve,or long bow when used as a core wood.I have made a dozen,or so American Elm bows.It seems to be a very good bow wood, and from what I have read their are better Elms than that to make bows from.
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Offline airkah

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2020, 08:56:51 pm »
I've only made one from it, used the sapwood under the bark and it didn't give me any issues.
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Offline Badger

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2020, 11:07:00 pm »
  I don't think red elm is a very good bow wood. Most of the time it is very light and thats why they use it in glass bows. But I have seen some nice bows made from it.
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Offline Mafort

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2020, 01:00:22 am »
I’ve made two. Keep it wide or pyramid shaped limbs and you will be fine.
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Offline liyeliye123123

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Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2020, 07:32:37 pm »
Thank you guys for your suggestions and ideas. I ll give it a try and see what happens.
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