Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TimothyR on April 02, 2021, 07:24:29 pm

Title: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: TimothyR on April 02, 2021, 07:24:29 pm

Can anyone tell me the states on coffee bean? 

Title: Re: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: Bob Barnes on April 02, 2021, 09:52:49 pm

Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky coffeetree)?

Title: Re: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: TimothyR on April 03, 2021, 12:07:11 am

Where do I start as far as dimensions. My stave is 67.5"

Title: Re: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: Pat B on April 03, 2021, 12:31:47 am

I've never used it but I'd treat it as a whitewood. Your length sounds good.

Title: Re: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: PaSteve on April 03, 2021, 08:19:56 am

What Pat B said. I've only made one bow from it. It was a narrow stave so I made a lightweight kids bow. Was pretty easy to chase a ring. It likes a heat treat and appeared pretty strong in tension.

Title: Re: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: hoosierf on April 05, 2021, 09:26:16 am

I read somewhere that it should be treated like hickory.  Can’t remember where. 

Title: Re: Coffee bean stave.
Post by: NicAzana on April 06, 2021, 08:14:28 am

You could do a little test for specific gravity and relative tension/compression strength as I did in this thread (broken link, remove space in www part): http://ww w.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,68656.msg963505.html#msg963505

I believe Tim Baker wrote about 'rule of thumb' bow dimensions, based on this test in TTB 4 (or 3?) 

Good luck!

/Nicolas