Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Elktracker on January 24, 2011, 01:09:23 am

Title: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Elktracker on January 24, 2011, 01:09:23 am

I was wondering what scale you all use for measuring wood water loss? I was going to use a normal old bathroom scale but doesnt seem like it measures in small enough increments? Any how what do you all use? thanks Josh

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Bevan R. on January 24, 2011, 01:13:20 am

For the price of a scale, why not just get a moister meter. ???
You can find some at really reasonable prices nowdays. Just my thought.

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: sailordad on January 24, 2011, 01:18:04 am

just let it dry and when you can tap it on a concrete floor and get a ringing sound
instead of a thud sound then ya know its dry  ;)
thats how i do it and never fails me

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Holten101 on January 24, 2011, 03:53:36 am

Im with you Elktracker;-)

I have a moisture meter (and tried several) and they are not very reliable imo. The method Silordad promotes takes alot of experience (I dont master it yet...but im getting a feel for it with wych elm). A simple kitchen weight will do the trick (with one gram increments....yeah, im metric). I write the weight on the stave, and when there is no substancial weight drop over a period of a week I considder it dry.

I suggest you read the chapter on this subject in TBB....there are many factors to take into account, but I still considder weighing the most reliable method.

Cheers 

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 24, 2011, 10:22:14 am

I use a moisture meter but you could use a baby scale. Jawge

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: crooketarrow on January 24, 2011, 10:45:06 am

   Remember the prong type only measures as deep as the prong's go's in. I've amasted a lot of staves over the years and only use well aged staves. If your not sure take your stave down to bow foum them hang it up for a while or then test it with a meter.

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: dragonman on January 24, 2011, 03:10:34 pm

Holten, I use a moisture meter I'm interested in which way they are unreliable???

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Holten101 on January 24, 2011, 04:06:11 pm

Dragonman...readings on electronic moisture meters seems to be affected by pronge deepth (how far you push in the needle prongs) and the orientation of prongs in relation to grain orientation. Cracks and knots can skew readings too. They also only measure the surface moisure content (which is were RH will fluctuate the most/fastest).

I also find it worring that two meters so often give different readings....this has lead me to not trusting them.

This is based on my experience with 3 different meters....im sure others have had more succes with better meters.

Cheers

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: John K on January 24, 2011, 09:45:28 pm

Anyone need a 2 prong moister meter, shoot me a pm. I don't use it any more.

I think a fishing scale would work, pretty cheap too !

I like the baby scale idea too, cause the staves are like your babys  :D  :P
 

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: eflanders on January 25, 2011, 06:13:55 pm

Electronic kitchen or postal scale.  They can be bought at most of the big box stores like walmart, target, kmart, etc.  You can use the same scale for measuring your glue portions too! ;)

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Elktracker on January 25, 2011, 06:20:12 pm

Quote from: eflanders on January 25, 2011, 06:13:55 pm

Electronic kitchen or postal scale.  They can be bought at most of the big box stores like walmart, target, kmart, etc.  You can use the same scale for measuring your glue portions too! ;)

Thats a great idea thanks

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 25, 2011, 06:29:19 pm

I keep checking as I make the bow right down to the first stringing. When I get a reading I don't like then I stop. Jawge

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Elktracker on January 25, 2011, 06:32:19 pm

Quote from: George Tsoukalas on January 25, 2011, 06:29:19 pm

I keep checking as I make the bow right down to the first stringing. When I get a reading I don't like then I stop. Jawge

Im not sure I understand this post could you be more specific George on what you mean?

Title: Re: Weighing bow wood for water loss, whats scale?
Post by: Elktracker on January 25, 2011, 06:33:54 pm

OOO are you talking about a moisture meater?