Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on December 14, 2012, 12:40:37 am

Title: apple question
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on December 14, 2012, 12:40:37 am
I cut a piece of apple wood back in early sept. It is a branch about two inches in diameter. I left it unsplit with bark on because I heard it checks really easy. Is it ok to rough it out at this point and let it dry faster or will it still check?
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Pat B on December 14, 2012, 01:14:07 am
It should be OK to work now. If you remove the bark now be sure to seal the back. I keep a spray can of Bullseye shellac on my work bench all the time and seal all newly exposed backs, no matter how old the stave is.
 I cut a 2" peach sucker last winter. I left it whole for about a month then cut out a rough bow shape and bound it to a form in reflex. Not long ago I removed it from the form. I've just started back building bows after a drought period and have this "peach" of a stave in my go to pile with a few others.
  Keep us posted on your progress.  ;)
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on December 14, 2012, 07:06:09 am
ok thanks Pat! how is peach as a bow wood?
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Pat B on December 14, 2012, 10:39:07 am
Its pretty light weight physically but seems strong and resilliant. I'll let you know how it goes from here as I progress.
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: gstoneberg on December 14, 2012, 12:43:07 pm
Save the shavings off the fruitwood bows, they work great in the smoker. :)  Good luck on the bow.

George
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Bryce on December 14, 2012, 01:19:34 pm
Pat you've been teasing us with this peach bow for almost a year now! Can we please get a peek at it!!
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Pat B on December 14, 2012, 01:39:07 pm
I'll take a pic when I get back in the shop. Not much done on her though. I'm just starting back up after a long drought.  ::)
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on December 14, 2012, 04:53:58 pm
Yeah keep us updated on the peach bow. Also I will store the apple stave near my wood stove which goes 24/7.  I cut it in sept. How long does a two inch diameter debarked piece of apple take to dry in these conditions?
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Pat B on December 14, 2012, 05:28:06 pm
Lee, take it down to floor tiller stage and it will dry quicker. I bound the peach sucker to a form to induce some reflex but also to keep it from twisting as it dries.
Title: Re: apple question
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on December 14, 2012, 07:00:03 pm
ok I'll give it a go tomorrow