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Australian-grown English elm "war" bow

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FilipT:

--- Quote from: WillS on May 28, 2017, 02:41:56 pm ---You need to be able to look at a stave and see where the finished bow will be thicker or thinner, without having to bend it to find out.
--- End quote ---

How do you do that?

WillS:
If it dense or has slight reflex, it will be thinner.  If it's less dense, has deflex or shows signs of potential​ flaws - knots, pins, grain violations, twist etc - you leave it thicker.

This is only to get it to brace height remember.  You're not doing any drastic pulling.  Once it's at brace height you can see all the actual issues that might occur and you remove wood accordingly.

Don't over think it too much.  Try it on a piece you don't care about.

FilipT:
Ok, that makes sense. Never seen this approach before. Thank you Will

loon:
Do you use calipers? Or just sort of guess by feel?..

WillS:
I use a ruler.  I just measure from highest point on the back to the belly and check about 3 times as I remove wood.  I keep meaning to buy some calipers but never get round to it!

I've not really got enough experience to do it entirely by feel - I can feel where areas are too thick or thin once the bow is roughed out, but I wouldn't trust myself to start a bow by feel.

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