Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: nailbender on May 10, 2008, 05:19:15 am

Title: Oak!
Post by: nailbender on May 10, 2008, 05:19:15 am: Well, we are kinda between jobs at work right now so my boss had a few of us out cutting some firewood for him A couple days ago. I made sure I was one of the guys with a chainsaw, so I could put aside anything that caught my eye before it got chunked up. Most of the stuff he had marked to cut down was standing dead wood, but there were a few living trees with a bunch of broken limbs that he wanted taken out. I was able to salvage these two logs.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/nail_bndr/IMG_0604.jpg)
The two logs yielded a total of twelve staves.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/nail_bndr/IMG_0607.jpg)

(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/nail_bndr/IMG_0609.jpg)
I was able to peel most of the bark off by hand, with only a couple of pieces needing to be gently pried off with my hatchet.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/nail_bndr/IMG_0610.jpg)
All of the staves have some amount of twist to them, but I think I'll be able to get most of it out with heat. Also upon closer inspection, I found that the outside ten or so rings were pretty thin with high early/latewood ratios. The rings get much thicker with alot more latewood deeper in the staves. Oak is a ring porous wood, so I should be able to chase one of those deeper rings. Looks like I'm going to be able to see what it's like for you osage guys.

Dale
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: DanaM on May 10, 2008, 09:31:10 am: I mostly likely wouldn't bother chasing a ring on it, but it will be good practice.
Nice haul and get em sealed so they don't check on ya.
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: shamus on May 10, 2008, 10:36:02 am: There is absolutely NO need to chase rings with oak. Just peel the bark and go.

I've been impressed with white oak so far.
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: El Destructo on May 10, 2008, 01:13:27 pm: A Big Waste of Time chasing them Rings....unless you have time to waste...and want to practice....Oak is perfect the way Nature made it for Bow...JMO
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: nailbender on May 10, 2008, 03:16:27 pm: Here is a pic of why I was thinking of chasing a ring.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/nail_bndr/IMG_0629.jpg)
If you look at the rings in the sapwood you can see that they get very thin with alot of early wood compared to latewood. We've had a few very dry years around here and I think it has affected the growth of trees in this manner. What do you guys think? should I bother to chase a ring, or just leave things as is?

Dale
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: El Destructo on May 10, 2008, 03:58:38 pm: Dale...I would not wastee my time with it....with Oak...especially White Oak...it will be fine and dandy the way it is....but if you want to chase a Ring on one...you can send me one of the others....and I will make a Bow with the fine rings on!!!!!

::)
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: shamus on May 10, 2008, 05:46:01 pm: no need to work it down. The sapwood will make a great back.
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: david w. on May 10, 2008, 07:50:52 pm: as much i llike looking at osage hauls something about whitewood turns me on ;D
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: El Destructo on May 10, 2008, 07:54:18 pm: Quote from: david w. on May 10, 2008, 07:50:52 pm
as much i llike looking at osage hauls something about whitewood turns me on ;D

I know what it is.....Whitewood is an easy Piece...... ::) No work involved at all..........
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: nailbender on May 10, 2008, 09:21:42 pm: Thanks guys, I'll just leave things as they are.

Dale
Title: Re: Oak!
Post by: DanaM on May 10, 2008, 09:57:22 pm: ;) ;) ;D