Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Cloudfeather on February 02, 2015, 07:56:07 pm
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Trying to figure out a good way yo go about splitting this log(curvy on the left). Not sure if I should just split it in half, side to side, then half again.(the way it sits in the pic) or to go at a 45 degree angle to the curves. Any suggestions?
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You should always split wood in half. If you try to take a small piece off a big piece(if you follow me) the split will run off to one side.
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Thinking of doing it like this...
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That's what I'd do. Just one thing, I've never seen(let alone split) any Osage so I'd also wait for a little more input.
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In my experience, once you get the split going, it just rolls right down along the grain. I have heard of the run off if you try to split say a third off of a piece though.
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I'd split it here and see what happens. I try to start the split on the small end.
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Considering OO has split off hundreds of staves, I'd say this thread is pretty well answered!
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I wouldn't say that JW. Everybody has has their own way of doing things. That's just the way I would start that split. You are aiming for staves from the top and bottom of the log in the picture. Staves from the sides are going to be tough to straighten. I would bust it in half and study the two splits to see where to go next.
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I have heard of the run off if you try to split say a third off of a piece though.
That's what I was trying to say. I sometimes have trouble with English. Even though it's the only language I speak.
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I'm with OO on this one. That looks like a snakey stave or two. Start there using a bunch of wedges on either side so as to keep the leapfrogging to a min. Then see that you can get after that.
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If its very straight grained stuff you can split off thirds or less with no problems. But it has to be super straight and clean wood.
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Also helps to start the split at the small end.
Edit: oh nevermind OO said that already :-[
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Sled,
Please post pictures after each split you actually do. I have one much smaller really gnarly log and two 18 foot or so 8-11 inchers I will be deciding how to cut laterally--then later split, so your sharing your experience after-the-fact might be very helpful. Thanks.
Russ
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I'd split it here and see what happens. I try to start the split on the small end.
I'm with the outlaw! And don't be a woos! I once split a log that took me and a buddy 4 session to get it split. Patrick
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Osage Outlaw- why do you say to split it from the small end? I know you have split much more Osage than I, and I am just curious what benefit this method has?
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I am curious about that too - I'm sure I have seen people recommend the larger end. I usually start from the small end, figuring there is more room for error if there are tearouts or grain jumps, and at least you have a bit more control if you start where there is less material.
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You have more wiggle room as the split goes towards the big end. Sometimes a split will jump to one side or the other. I would rather start the split on the small end where its more important to determine the size of the splits. Take this picture for example. I marked how I wanted to split this piece of osage on the small end. The staves should only get bigger as they go towards the other end. If I had marked it on the big end and split it the staves would have gotten smaller as they went down the piece and could possibly be to small for a bow at the small end. I like to look at the small end and think this is the minimum amount of wood that I have to work with, what can I get out of it. Hope all that makes sense
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14296.jpg)
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That's a bunch of staves.
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I love splitting it actually. Hard work on my own but very rewarding.
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What curves ?
Man that thing is strait as an arrow ;)
Clint has you covered so just follow what he is telling you
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Thanks OO, makes perfect sense.
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In my experience, once you get the split going, it just rolls right down along the grain. I have heard of the run off if you try to split say a third off of a piece though.
Yeah, again not experienced with oasage, but locust, elm, hickory, mulberry, all want to be split in half. half a log, half of that, etc..... right through the bullseye on the end of the log. So taking a good long look, like he's doing, pays off.
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So OO, Did you get all 6 staves out of that example?
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Yes I did.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14298.jpg)
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OO, how'd you get those splits to angle in that little bit instead of just going straight across?
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I used two hatchet heads to start the split. I tried to get them to follow the shape of the growth ring going across.
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I started them like this. I tap them in evenly to get it started.
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From the end I take it? Then come in from both sides as you split along the length?
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Yes.
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Very nice Osage, do you think I could do hickory like that? Patrick
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Very nice Osage, do you think I could do hickory like that? Patrick
Patrick,
I've done hickory very similar, but I don't chase rings on belly splits for bows, I use them for handles and such. I usually peel the bark off of spring cut hickory for the back of the bow.
Great demo Clint...that's why your the Osage Outlaw... :)
DBar
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Thanks DBar! Patrick
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thanks for the pics and explanation OO. Nice job on those.
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Finally split that curvy log and the other two the rest of the way. Quartering worked good. Kind of wonky but I'll make em or break em. :) Decent little haul.
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Very cool! Looks like you might be able to get a few more splits even! Patrick
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That's the plan. Going to reduce to a single ring once cured, probably do a belly split on a couple of them.