Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Spotted Dog on April 20, 2016, 07:59:29 pm

Title: mesquite staves
Post by: Spotted Dog on April 20, 2016, 07:59:29 pm

 traded for 2 mesquite stave and I have never worked any before. What is the best way to do this?
Remove sap wood or not ? Heat or steam bend ? Back or not ?  They will ( I hope ) make SW style bows.

Dog

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: tattoo dave on April 20, 2016, 09:02:02 pm

I've never worked mesquite either. Is the bark still on it? If it is you may have to end up chasing a ring after removing bark. I like steam heating, but that's just my preference, but like I said, never worked mesquite. It may prefer dry heat. I'm sure somebody who's worked it will chime in. Good luck!

Tattoo Dave

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Marc St Louis on April 20, 2016, 09:41:14 pm

Never worked any but a former member of the board made a self-bow out of some many years ago.  Unfortunately it's been too long and I don't remember any details

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: wizardgoat on April 20, 2016, 09:53:09 pm

Check out Chucks bow in BOM right now. His is sinew backed

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Spotted Dog on April 20, 2016, 09:53:25 pm

Bark is on. They have a small amount of sap wood. Snakey too.

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Spotted Dog on April 20, 2016, 10:00:07 pm

Thanks on link to Chuck's bow. Steam I will try. Lots of slow work ahead.

Dog

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: loefflerchuck on April 21, 2016, 12:54:34 am

No need to remove the sap. Makes a beautiful contrast between heartwood and sap. I have heard they are stronger in compression. The Apache and Navajo bows I've seen of mesquite are sinew backed.

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Josh B on April 21, 2016, 01:02:46 am

This is the only selfbow that i managed to get made out of mesquite. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27311.0.html.  I recommend backing it.  Josh

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Badger on April 21, 2016, 01:57:19 am

  I have worked with mesquite a little bit. I never really had what i would consider a decent stave. I found it easily frets and would recommend bend through the handle designs and if the stave is short make it a short draw bow.  Like most acacia woods it is fast and very responsive but difficult to tiller out to full draw without fretting.

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: neuse on April 21, 2016, 07:31:41 am

I do know Mesquite gets those wood worms really bad, leaves behind saw dust.
I guess spraying them would help that.

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Spotted Dog on April 21, 2016, 10:31:30 am

My staves are short, so bendy handles they will be. More than likely back. The heart wood is real dark.

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Spotted Dog on April 21, 2016, 10:33:07 am

 The church where I go is helping Navaho peoples right now. I thought I'd try a Navaho bow and arrows.

Title: Re: mesquite staves
Post by: Spotted Dog on April 21, 2016, 03:29:21 pm

 Looks like I am going to be able to get a 41" bow out of one of them. Got it cut down so far as to be able to profile it.