Main Discussion Area > Bows
Hickory Board Buildalong
Newbowyer:
Justin- I put the knot in the middle of the limb. I fugured it would be worse to be halfway on the limb.
With the other board I am planning on doing just that, using it for risers and what not.
Also, I searched for a long time before I could find a place that carried hickory, and as I said before their selection was not good. My other board had nice verticle grain with average ring size but it cracked. Yesterdsay I was at lowes and took a look at there red oak and they had a PERFECT board.... 0 run offs, nice rings, but it was warped a good 2 inches to the right. I realize the importance of a good board but the bowyer gods do not like me. Maybe I should start buying my bows.
Pat B- Can I splice it w/o a bandsaw?. My tools are; 4 way rasp, angle grinder, surform and a couple of generic files and a hand saw . Thats all I have until I get access to a wood shop.
Pat B:
If you are careful, you can easily cut a "Z" or "W" splice with a hand saw. Even if your cuts aren't that good you can soak the splice cuts in hot water and then clamp the splice together without glue. When it has dried, you unclamp it and you have a splice that fits and is ready for glue-up. Pat
Newbowyer:
Ok, I am having doubts about this, everytime I get ready I look at it and wonder if its worth the time.
Would it be possible to Grind one of those thick rings down using the angle grinder to make a backing for another piece of wood? . Then use the backing to glue reflex into a red oak bow? I think if I look hard enough I can find a good oak board then back it with this. I think the late growth is thick enough so that I can do this. Opinions?
I am just worried it will break, even though all of you guys say its probably fine I am not sure I can get so that I put 10-15 hours into something that starts off with a problem.
I really appreiciate the help. Whenever I dont do someting you guys say I feel like I am saying " I dont trust you so I will suggest something else". Which would be really rude. I am just trying to explore all my possibilities.
Pat B:
Stop worrying about it breaking. If we all worried about breaking bows, we wouldn't be making them. Even if you put 100 hours into a bow and it breaks, if you learn one thing, the time is not wasted. I have ruined many pieces of good bow wood and either broke or hinged many bows in the last 20 years. I would not be where I am in bow building if it wasn't that I learned something from every break, hinge or ruined piece of wood.
If you are uncomfortable with the piece of wood you have, find another.
I'd say, make a bow with that piece of hickory. Place the bow in the best place on the stave that you can and go for it. You may have to make another one later but if you are like the rest of us you will do that anyway.
Another option would be to have someone cut the hickory stave into 1/8" backing strips and find a board that you can back with it. Pat
Newbowyer:
Pat before I got on the computer I was thinking just that. If I didnt want failure I chose the wrong hobby. I already have started to rough the bow out. One thing about hickory is that it sure is tougher to rough out then my last Red oak board. It should be fun though. I will try to post pictures later tonight.
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