Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jp gray on September 23, 2010, 05:37:35 pm

Title: ? about drying a log
Post by: jp gray on September 23, 2010, 05:37:35 pm

i have found a perfect sicamore tree ,about 7 inches around ,i want to cut and seal the ends,how long do i need to let it dry before i start makeing a bow out of it?i know it may not be the best wood ,but i just want to play around with it,gonna practice on this before a i do a hickory

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: El Destructo on September 23, 2010, 05:44:31 pm

JP....I have had nothing but good Luck with Sycamore...don't expect to make War Bows from it now....but a nice wide limbed 58-68 inch Bow drawing up to say 50-55 pounds is very reasonable...I have made many Paddle and Pyramid Style Bows from this wood....I personally enjoy working it.....jmho

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: Stingray45 on September 23, 2010, 06:15:52 pm

Hey JP,

Sycamore is great wood. I made a 64" selfbow that was 1.5" wide the whole way and then taper down the last 10" to a 3/8" tip. Came out to be 40#@28". Great little shooter.

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: jp gray on September 23, 2010, 08:24:37 pm

good deal,thanks

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: Pat B on September 24, 2010, 12:02:12 am

JP, I have never worked sycamore but with most woods I cut I seal the ends of the log then split it at least in half. After a month or so I reduce to stave size. If I remove the bark I seal the back...no matter what wood I'm using.   For big projects cheap carpenters glue works as a sealer. I prefer to use spray shellac when working only a few or one stave. 

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: jthompson1995 on September 24, 2010, 08:13:50 am

I would try to split it at least in half. All of the sycamore I have used from full logs has split at least once, even with sealed ends. One good thing I have noted, though is that the bark will usually come off of the sycamore as it dries. You can leave the bark on and pry it off in big chunks once it is dry.

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: jp gray on September 26, 2010, 12:46:51 am

i know hickory that when you just take the bark off ,you can leave whats under the bark for the backing,can this be done with sycamore?

Title: Re: ? about drying a log
Post by: El Destructo on September 26, 2010, 01:30:39 am

John....Sycamore is just like Maple of Hi Tory...just  take the Bark off....and there is your Back...