Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Holten101 on July 03, 2011, 03:55:25 pm

Title: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: Holten101 on July 03, 2011, 03:55:25 pm

Stained Elm ”semi-pyramid”

This one started out as a discarded heavy propellar wych elm stave, so I decided to do some experiments on it.

I corrected the twist by clamping it hard during curing…that corrected it, but it still shows during tiller. I have never done that before so that was a first.
Another first was staining it. I normally dont like staining wood..I prefer the natural beauty. I also decided to try a high gloss poly finish (I normally use linseed oil).

I also experimented with the handle wrap…first, but not last time I will use this design

So this ”bastard” ended up at 58#@28” and 63” ntn, and its fast. The tiller was problematic due to the twist. It looks like there is a hinge 3” below the handle…but when I flip it around its undicernable…well, time will tell;-).

Unstrung
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af73/Holten101/IMG_3183.jpg)

Brace:
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af73/Holten101/IMG_3177-1.jpg)

Handle:
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af73/Holten101/IMG_3178.jpg)

(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af73/Holten101/IMG_3180.jpg)

Draw:
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af73/Holten101/IMG_3187.jpg)


Cheers

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: toomanyknots on July 03, 2011, 05:36:26 pm

"It looks like there is a hinge 3” below the handle…but when I flip it around its undicernable"

You are not alone in this! I've had a bunch of bows like this because of twist, seems like almost every stave bow has this going on anymore, looks like a horrible hinge on one side and is perfectly tillered on the other side! :) I just flip it over and try not to look at the other side while tillering, lol. One way to feel better is take a video drawing it and usually you can see that it is drawing even and just appears to look hinging.   

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: Timo on July 03, 2011, 05:41:55 pm

Tiller looks pretty good to me!

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: bubby on July 03, 2011, 05:44:55 pm

I'm with Timo, nice bow, Bub

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: Del the cat on July 03, 2011, 06:17:25 pm

Nice work, it's good to hear some of the problems. I've had a few twisting trouble too on longbows, which have required plenty of heat treating and patience.
Del

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: jeffhalfrack on July 03, 2011, 06:43:38 pm

      Hey  what  did you  stain it  with???????????   and  I'll   gladly   test  it  for  you  for  a  couple  years   :laugh:   nice job!!!!!   JEFFW

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: ErictheViking on July 03, 2011, 08:29:21 pm

I like the whole bow and tiller looks good to me. really like the color of stain too. very nice :)

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: peshikthe on July 04, 2011, 12:54:20 am

my molle osage bow has twist and it has no adverse affects on the shootability, definately adds charachter.

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: Holten101 on July 04, 2011, 06:53:27 am

@Jeff....cant really say, it was alcohol dilluted cherry stain, that is all I know. And according to a furniture carpenter friend of mine, who visited me this weekend, I have alot to learn about staining;-). It looks ok to me though.

Thanks for all the nice words:-)

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: dwardo on July 04, 2011, 08:34:38 am

Very indeed, the stain looks great.
I have 4 wych elm staves roughed out and drying as we speak and i too am trying to correct some nasty prop by strapping it down, nice too see it works.

Title: Re: Wych Elm experiment
Post by: Pappy on July 04, 2011, 10:34:16 am

Beautiful,looks very well built to me. Nice Job. :)
   Pappy