Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jakesnyder on December 17, 2019, 02:55:46 pm

Title: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Jakesnyder on December 17, 2019, 02:55:46 pm
Sugar maple or silver maple? I'm about 70% sure its sugar maple. Let me know what you think it is..
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: dylanholderman on December 17, 2019, 05:26:36 pm
looks like its from a young tree so it can be very difficult to tell, how heavy is it? sugar maple is noticeably heavier than silver.
my first couple of bows were from sugar maple, about that size.
optimistic guess, sugar maple.
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: PatM on December 17, 2019, 05:29:57 pm
Looks more like Sugar.  It almost always is rather covered with bumps from grown over knots etc. when young.

Soft Maples tend to be very smooth.
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Jakesnyder on December 17, 2019, 05:37:57 pm
Well I did the fingernail test and it just barely indents. Does soft maples indent easily when you run your fingernail across it?
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Weylin on December 17, 2019, 05:42:02 pm
Give it the lick test. if it's sweet then it's sugar maple >:D
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: dylanholderman on December 17, 2019, 05:49:58 pm
Give it the lick test. if it's sweet then it's sugar maple >:D
^^^sounds crazy but he's right.

EDIT: at least with the green wood, i've not tried it with a seasoned stave.
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Russ on December 18, 2019, 08:45:22 am
Give it the lick test. if it's sweet then it's sugar maple >:D
^^^sounds crazy but he's right.

EDIT: at least with the green wood, i've not tried it with a seasoned stave.

Youll be gettin the dust in your mouth anyway  8) >:D
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Jakesnyder on December 18, 2019, 10:06:37 am
Ok I did the lick test(my wife now thinks I officially lost it!) Maybe partly true ;).  It didnt help me any. I cut down a sapling that I know is a sugar maple to compare licks. Neither of them were sweet. I tried the wood and cambium layer. Its winter here and the sap is all out of the tree. It is about the same denseness. Anyone else have any advise?
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 18, 2019, 11:49:45 am
Try the local forester, or the extension service office! 
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Jakesnyder on December 18, 2019, 01:11:56 pm
I'm not sure what those are?
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: DC on December 18, 2019, 01:55:34 pm
I don't know the eastern maples but if they are like ours I don't think you'll ever know for sure. Make a bow, if it survives you're either lucky or it's Sugar Maple but you still won't know for sure. ;D
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Bryce on December 18, 2019, 01:58:11 pm
Just sweet talk her. Bam sugar maple
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: paulc on December 18, 2019, 04:10:43 pm
Look up your cooperative extension office-part of your land grant university.  They are there to help the citizens of the state with pretty much whatever question you have. 

Paul
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: SLIMBOB on December 18, 2019, 04:19:59 pm
Yep. Just make bow. Stay wide and watch your set as you tiller. Narrow from say 2 inches just a bit if no set happens. If it does, leave it wide and keep it light weight.
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 19, 2019, 12:17:35 am
Got to agree with Slim!  Keep it wide and thin to desired weight, narrow as necessary, but leave enough width to keep tips strong enough for the weight!  I think I said that right!  Good luck!  Mazel tov!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 21, 2019, 12:08:04 pm
Yep. Just make bow. Stay wide and watch your set as you tiller. Narrow from say 2 inches just a bit if no set happens. If it does, leave it wide and keep it light weight.

You already have the wood cut, go for it! More fun making a failed bow than whining about nothing to do!  Sic 'em Jake! Get'em!