Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Buckeye Guy on July 17, 2014, 10:49:00 pm
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Ok folks who has experience with walnut?
I picked up a couple of logs today
and was wondering if you have tried to do inside splits?
My question is I n regards to how it went and does it work better to do it now or let it dry down some before trying for inside splits?
I don't think that I have ever used walnut big enough to try for insde splits before
if I can get it to split well I should be able to get a white bow or two and a black bow from each quarter
will probably give it a try and see how it goes over the next day or two!
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Or maybe I should ask which moon phase works the best
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It doesn't follow a growth ring very good when you take off belly splits. However, if you use a skill saw and kerf it down the side where you want it to split, it does alright. Chasing a ring on walnut is pretty tough, though. Take your time and do it in the sunlight and it can be done. I hope that helps some. Josh
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I just cut some walnut logs and tried a belly split on one of the staves when it was quite wet. It did not go well and I ended up ruining the best part. I put the rest aside to dry before I did any more damage. I will have to try the kerf as mentioned above for the rest. On another note I just finished a BW bow that really turned out nice. That was from a tree cut a few years ago. Good luck with yours.
Mike
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I only have limited experience with BW but of the 3 I've done the absolute best was the one I stripped the bark from while wet and left the cambium layer intact for the back. Probably the finest performing bow I've made. There is no heartwood in the entire bow so it's not as pretty as the others but it beats them hands down performance wise.
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Thanks for the reply's
Gun Doc That is kinda what I figured
Thanks for letting me know
I will kerf the sides and try first, to see how it goes
Then maybe I can pay someone to chase a ring for me since these faded eyes wont be able to see where to go !
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It makes a pretty rocking chair Guy...just ask Marty :) ;D
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It wont look so good if I sit in it !
Besides I am holding out to see how the Pear comes out
It may be more my kinda chair !
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Ok I had a hour today, so I split one half log out
4 light staves and 2 dark ones so far
now anyone want to start chasing a ring for me?
come on over the grill is warming up for supper
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Guy you don't need to chase a ring on the white ones, on the dark ones plane them down and back them with maple it will looks like sapwood
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I'd be up to the challenge what with the promise of food, but here I am in Washington ::)
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Guy you don't need to chase a ring on the white ones, on the dark ones plane them down and back them with maple it will looks like sapwood
I am thinking maybe rawhide if I can get close if not I may have to go with a hard back!
I'd be up to the challenge what with the promise of food, but here I am in Washington ::)
well as they say it's the thought that counts, thanks for thinking about me!
even if they still need done :laugh:
one log has one real dark ring so if I can get some splits that are close with no tear outs of that ring there may be some hope
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Well Guy, I don't know what part of the buckeye you call home, but the next time I get a load that way I'll shoot you a pm. I would be more than happy to chase the rings on them for ya. Josh
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30 mile due east of Fort Wayne Indiana
Be tickled to see ya even if we dont get them chased
give me a few more weeks to get the rest split as I am a tad on the slow side
that way there may be one that looks more doable if you realy want to try
Your welcome anytime
all ways good to sit and talk anyway
if you dont have time I can leave a couple on the back porch you can grab them on the way by
and we can maybe meet on the flip side
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I have always had a love for the look of walnut heartwood. When I started into this bowbuilding addiction, I fell in love with the look of sapwood over heartwood in the ELB. The idea of a sapwood/heartwood ELB of walnut makes me giddy.
Unfortunately, I hear walnut is not really the wood for that design, so I guess I am left with nothing but a fantasy.
I guess the idea of a maple backed walnut flatbow will have to suffice for now. If you do chase that dragon, please post LOTS of pics for me. Good fortune to you, good sir!
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Well Guy, I don't know what part of the buckeye you call home, but the next time I get a load that way I'll shoot you a pm. I would be more than happy to chase the rings on them for ya. Josh
Ya wanna stop by my way too,and chase some rings for me? ??? :laugh:
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I have always had a love for the look of walnut heartwood. When I started into this bowbuilding addiction, I fell in love with the look of sapwood over heartwood in the ELB. The idea of a sapwood/heartwood ELB of walnut makes me giddy.
Unfortunately, I hear walnut is not really the wood for that design, so I guess I am left with nothing but a fantasy.
I guess the idea of a maple backed walnut flatbow will have to suffice for now. If you do chase that dragon, please post LOTS of pics for me. Good fortune to you, good sir!
JW, my third or fourth bow was a long(72" ntn) and narrow walnut sapling bow. A bit like an ELB but with a flat belly. Back was sapwood and belly heartwood but I didn't chase any rings. Took a ton of set from moisture because it went from tree to bow in about 3 weeks, still one of the hardest hitters I made and from what my friend tells me it's still going strong.
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I have always had a love for the look of walnut heartwood. When I started into this bowbuilding addiction, I fell in love with the look of sapwood over heartwood in the ELB. The idea of a sapwood/heartwood ELB of walnut makes me giddy.
Unfortunately, I hear walnut is not really the wood for that design, so I guess I am left with nothing but a fantasy.
I guess the idea of a maple backed walnut flatbow will have to suffice for now. If you do chase that dragon, please post LOTS of pics for me. Good fortune to you, good sir!
JW, my third or fourth bow was a long(72" ntn) and narrow walnut sapling bow. A bit like an ELB but with a flat belly. Back was sapwood and belly heartwood but I didn't chase any rings. Took a ton of set from moisture because it went from tree to bow in about 3 weeks, still one of the hardest hitters I made and from what my friend tells me it's still going strong.
Without pictures, it never happened! >:D You know, this is only fueling my desire for one of these!
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Well Guy, I don't know what part of the buckeye you call home, but the next time I get a load that way I'll shoot you a pm. I would be more than happy to chase the rings on them for ya. Josh
Ya wanna stop by my way too,and chase some rings for me? ??? :laugh:
Chris
My wife is going to be down in the mountains this weekend ,I will send a couple of splits with her so you can help too,
She will meet you in Washington Pa sat afternoon
Don't want you to feel left out
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I split out another half log last night to many knots to try for inside split so all white splits from it
I did peel the bark on the half log that is left without knots and rolled it for the possibility of a quiver not sure how walnut bark works for a Quiver but figured I might as well try it out
I sprayed the half log down with shellac and moved it into the cool of the garage I hope it will hold next week when I get back from the Christian Bow hunters National shoot