Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: liyeliye123123 on January 25, 2020, 10:12:01 am

Title: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: liyeliye123123 on January 25, 2020, 10:12:01 am

Hi guys.

I ve never used red elm before. Do I use the heartwood or the sapwood and do I need to chase a ring like Osage?

Thank you! 

Li

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: IrishJay on January 25, 2020, 10:49:21 am

I'm far from an expert, but I'm working on my second elm bow now. I used the ring directly beneath the bark for the back on both. The finished bow is shooting very well, 42# @28" about 54" ntn. Quick little bow.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: sleek on January 25, 2020, 10:50:04 am

I've never had luck with red elm, it always took 3 inches of set even at 2 inches wide. I only used heart wood though, per9you should keep sap on the back.

That being said, I have seen some red elm bows on here that were nice, so perhaps the tree I had was just not a good tree.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: Pat B on January 25, 2020, 12:15:08 pm

Like Jay, I use the sapwood right under the bark for a selfbow. I've made a few elm bows and was very impressed with it as a bow wood. Elm does do well with heat treated belly.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: IrishJay on January 25, 2020, 12:22:53 pm

+1 on the heat treat Pat. It also takes heat shaping (I use wet heat) very well.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: sleek on January 25, 2020, 12:42:33 pm

Quote from: Pat B on January 25, 2020, 12:15:08 pm

Like Jay, I use the sapwood right under the bark for a selfbow. I've made a few elm bows and was very impressed with it as a bow wood. Elm does do well with heat treated belly.

Now, I've made a few elm bows and it's my favorite wood to have a bow made from, but red elm specifically I'd say is very finicky. I dont want my comment to sound as if I dont favor elm at all.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: Pat B on January 25, 2020, 04:34:55 pm

I've used red and I've used winged and found both about the same. One bow I built was a 60" static recurve, 56#@26". Actually I've made 2 like this, both elm but not sure which elm.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: bassman on January 25, 2020, 07:43:23 pm

All I know about Red Elm is that it looks pretty between 2 pieces of clear glass on a recurve,or long bow when used as a core wood.I have made a dozen,or so American Elm bows.It seems to be a very good bow wood, and from what I have read their are better Elms than that to make bows from.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: airkah on January 25, 2020, 08:56:51 pm

I've only made one from it, used the sapwood under the bark and it didn't give me any issues.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: Badger on January 25, 2020, 11:07:00 pm

  I don't think red elm is a very good bow wood. Most of the time it is very light and thats why they use it in glass bows. But I have seen some nice bows made from it.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: Mafort on January 26, 2020, 01:00:22 am

I’ve made two. Keep it wide or pyramid shaped limbs and you will be fine.

Title: Re: Red elm heartwood or sap wood?
Post by: liyeliye123123 on January 26, 2020, 07:32:37 pm

Thank you guys for your suggestions and ideas. I ll give it a try and see what happens.