Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Allyn T on March 14, 2021, 05:44:55 pm
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Ok for all you hedge apple guys. I have some hedge that was cut down in September, it's been outside in log form since then, I just picked it up today. What is the best way too make sure I get some bows out of this? Seal the ends and split obviously but should I chase a ring and glue the back or leave the bark on? Also can osage be speed dried by roughing out like other woods or do I need to let it season slowly? Here is a pick of one I had to cut to fit in the truck.
(https://i.imgur.com/djArTBB.jpg)
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How far down the stave does that limb run? Do you have enough to cut that end off?
I would at least split or cut them in half, lengthwise, remove the bark and sapwood and seal the back and ends. You can reduce the staves to floor tiller stage for faster dry time but not near as quick as whitewood.
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yep what Pat said,, nice treasure there,, :OK
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X3 what Pat said.
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Yes pat I have enought to cut that end off. I'll get them split this week and debark and chase a ring sealing the back. Thanks for the advice gentlemen
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If you have a bandsaw I'd saw the smallest in half. It looks to be about 2" to 3" in diameter. You may have to add a riser but you might get 2 staves out of it.
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If it's small enough I was thinking of picking a side to be the belly and using it for one bow. I think the smallest end is 4"
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With a small diameter log bandsawed in half, I would be tempted to make two "backward" bows out of them. Not good enough for Osage people?
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With a small diameter log bandsawed in half, I would be tempted to make two "backward" bows out of them. Not good enough for Osage people?
Why backwards?? Just make two normal bows?
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No backwards bows, out of those logs. Split them peal the bark and sapwood and see what you have. My advice is always go safe on a log and shoot for less staves than you could possibly squeak out of a log, every time I tried to get an extra stave or two out of a log I lost more than I gained, usually with errant splits.
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Eric I already told my wife last night I would not be trying to get extra bows out of any of this. They are pretty gnarly as is.
(https://i.imgur.com/nxcS3za.jpg)
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Well, I see a set of billets.
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Idk if I'm up for trying billets yet lol but the thought has crossed my mind.
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With a small diameter log bandsawed in half, I would be tempted to make two "backward" bows out of them. Not good enough for Osage people?
Why backwards?? Just make two normal bows?
Mainly because I don't have the patience to chase the ring. It's often much easier to get the flat back from a small diameter log by making a "backward" bow.
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O the second stave from the left the best course of action for it is to cut it in two where it makes that radical twist, rotate the ends and splice it back together straight and twist free. I have done this a bunch of times, 90 degree twists will cause too much strain on the wood if you try to take them all the way out.
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Eric I'm not sure I understand what you're suggesting
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Well, now that the bird has flown, I would have split that curved log 90 degrees to what you did. It's far easier to deal with reflex and deflex than a huge curve to the side. At this point I would definitely cut billets from those curved staves.
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Jim so I did originally want to split it that way but if you look where the pith is the growth rings were way off to one side and I wasn't sure if I could just split it in the middle of the log even though the center of the growth rings would have been further down.