Author Topic: Wester Red Cedar  (Read 1585 times)

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Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Wester Red Cedar
« on: November 23, 2021, 03:28:34 am »
I'm re-cladding ("siding" in the USA?) the porch of our house. The old cladding is WRC, nice tight grain, clean straight and well seasoned (60 yrs!). I'm thinking of using it for some experiments or light bows.
I've heard of ERC as bow wood, but has anyone used WRC and what sort of poundage is the limit ?
Del
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Offline PatM

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Re: Wester Red Cedar
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2021, 06:32:16 am »
It is not  related to ERC. It's Thuja  Generally it is not a bow wood but people have made very light bows from it. Not long lasting and rather delicate.

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Wester Red Cedar
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2021, 08:51:01 am »
I had a house clad with it once, very porous light weight stuff that is rot resistant.

Offline PaSteve

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Re: Wester Red Cedar
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2021, 09:13:00 am »
Worked with it for 12 years in a woodshop making exterior wooden shutters. It varied very much. Some dense and darker and other boards lighter in color and weight. Never tried to make a bow from it but did try some arrows. It was hard to get high enough spines in 11/32" and it was very brittle compared to more common arrow woods. Overall, like mentioned you could probably get an "OK" bow at a lighter draw weight but longevity will most likely be an issue. It is a great wood for outdoor applications.
"It seems so much more obvious with bows than with other matters, that we are the guardians of the prize we seek." Dean Torges

Offline Del the cat

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Re: Wester Red Cedar
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2021, 09:26:36 am »
Cheers guys... looks like I'll be making some planters rather than bows or arrow!
Del
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Wester Red Cedar
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2021, 10:24:17 am »
Del, it will make pretty good, lightweight arrows.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: Wester Red Cedar
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2021, 12:19:32 pm »
Del, it will make pretty good, lightweight arrows.
ok, I'll have a play :)
Del
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