Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Craig/Fl on June 02, 2009, 08:43:18 pm
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I'm having three of these cut down tomorrow and got to thinking if they would be any good to make a bow out of. What do you think, any good or just more fire wood...
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Craig, they will work as most oaks will. Just strip the bark and whittle a bow.
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Thanks Mullet, That's great news, I'll have them save me some a few 7' pieces of the trunks, they look nice and straight and big and round,. How much time do I have to remove the bark, probably be Friday till I can really get after it.
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If you can, split the log(s) in half and seal the ends. You can wait to remove the bark later. When you do remove the bark, seal the back with shellac or glue. Some say it isn't necessary but learning the hard way ain't fun. ;D
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Thanks Pat B, I split one of the logs when I got home, I started at one end and it kind of took a twist when splitting it. I sealed the ends with elmers glue and covered with a tarp as it started to rain. I'll work on removing bark tomorrow evening.
I must say I have great respect for those of you who do this on a regular basis, it was quite a chore splitting the log and I know theres much work ahead to get some staves out of this. The good news is I probably lost 5 lbs in the process. ;D
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The twists you are experiencing is the way the tree grew. If you look at the bark, you can see the twist there. This will help you the next time you go looking for wood. Generally, twists can be eliminated with heat or just incorporated into the design of the bow.
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would it be possible to chaulk a straight line down the back and cut down a few inches with a chain saw or circular saw to get to split straight or is it still going to follow the twist?
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Hers a few pics, does this look OK so far? You might be able to see some of the twist.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/crabman1957/bow_stuff001.jpg)
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Heres another view, I should get two more staves from the rest of the log today, then I'll start to de-bark them.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/crabman1957/bow_stuff002-1.jpg)
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Craig, that twist doesn't look too bad. You can get most of it out when you tiller the bow. And then you can steam, boil. or dry heat some more out. If you cut them 7'long, when it comes time to lay out your bow you can cut off the real bad twisted end and lay your center line out and use the twist to your advantage. You can lay it out so the string passes to the edge of your handle, either left or right side.
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Thanks Mullet, I cut the staves to 7', it did get rid of some of the twist, I got the bark off and seal the backs with 2 coats of TBIII. I also split the staves in half again, I just finished reading a chapter in one of my TBB's about drying the wood and now find out it might not have been such a good idea as they may dry to fast. How long should I let these dry before I can start Whittling out a bow.
Heres a pic of were I'm at now.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/crabman1957/bow_stuff.jpg)
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You can go ahead and reduce one to almost bow dimensions and it will dry quicker.
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Yep' like Pat said. We have enough humidity in Fl, especially with the rain we are getting right now to not have to worry about drying too fast. If you reduce it to bow size, clamp it down and it will help keep it from twisting while drying.
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I got the stave reduced some and strapped it to a beam to cut down on twist and maybe straighten it out a little. got the idea to do this to add some reflex, you think it might work?
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/crabman1957/IMG_2463.jpg)
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Craig, are you going to the Long Hammock shoot Sunday? I'll be there.
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I wish I could but unfortunately my Sunday's are full till the middle of July.