Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: snedeker on June 25, 2009, 01:35:38 pm
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A friend gave me an elm trunk last summer, about 8" in diameter. I split it then and it had a 90 degree twist. i.e., the back at one end of the stave was fully perpendicular to the back at the other end. To potentially get something out of it, I cut a few straight staves out of it with a circular saw. These then have a continuous non-violated ring on the back, but obviously the grain runs off multiple times. DO you think the interlocking grain of elm would hold for a selfbow? Alternatively, a fabric backing would probably work.
Dave
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I think it will. Elm is some tuff stuff !
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I wouldn't worry about the grain running off if it's red elm. Elm's grain interlocks like mad. (if you've never worked it before try filing it- it's nearly impossible to get it smooth until you sand it). And with a draw knife you are constantly having to turn your knife around and go one way, then turn and go back the other.
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Thanks.
Pup, its American (white) elm
Dave
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If the bow will be on the longish side, it's probably not a problem. Personally, I would not use it for a short, high-stress bow. Elm is pretty tough....but not nearly as tough as hickory, for example.
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I think the problem will be limb twist when you tiller it. I would not assume without testing that the limbs will need to be equal thickness across their width, depending upon how the grain runs. You can move elm around quite a bit. If the handle is fairly straight, you can work the limbs back to straight enough, given enough patience, heat and correct cycles.