Main Discussion Area > Bows
Yew school
Del the cat:
--- Quote from: Doug509 on February 12, 2024, 10:36:49 am ---I have cut my teeth with vine maple and feel I'm worthy of the challenge. In between chores and football I have reduced the stave down to the intended layout dimensions. I plan to use steam to correct the twist and straighten the limbs. My understanding and experience is I should start with steam to make big adjustments then fine tune with dry heat.
--- End quote ---
I don't think you need to worry about that slight twist.
My go-to primitive is called twister and it shoots just fine :)
Del
Hamish:
--- Quote from: Doug509 on February 12, 2024, 10:36:49 am ---I have cut my teeth with vine maple and feel I'm worthy of the challenge. In between chores and football I have reduced the stave down to the intended layout dimensions. I plan to use steam to correct the twist and straighten the limbs. My understanding and experience is I should start with steam to make big adjustments then fine tune with dry heat.
--- End quote ---
Okay, good to know. You are going to love yew, it is noticeably lighter in the hand when shooting than other bow woods.
What sort of draw weight, and draw length are you looking for?
Get the bark off, and thin the sapwood if necessary. Start floor tillering, to remove excess wood . That will make any potential heat corrections so much easier to do..
Doug509:
Appreciate the advice. I was under the impression that only the bark contained toxic substances once harvested for cancer treatment. Del I like your use of sticks to help visualize the twist for adjustment. I'm targeting a draw of 45 to 50 lbs at 28". I have left the upper limb 1" longer and NTN should be 64". Sapwood is not very consistent and ranges from 2mm to 12mm. The handle has a big dip on the right side back, and feels awkward. I removed bark and glued an extra piece of Sapwood to even out the handle shape. I think with a leather handle it's going to work out just fine. Besides the handle the limbs are very inconsistent in sapwood which will challenge me along the way. I hate to violate the beautiful white sapwood but I know it's going to need it.
I would like to clarify the tree I harvested was doomed and marked by forest service for removal.
Gordon:
--- Quote ---I have cut my teeth with vine maple and feel I'm worthy of the challenge.
--- End quote ---
If you can tame vine maple, then you can handle yew wood.
--- Quote --- My understanding and experience is I should start with steam to make big adjustments then fine tune with dry heat.
--- End quote ---
Definitely.
Doug509:
I have been able to progress to floor tiller with the limbs evenly consistent in width and depth. One limb has a big bend and a twist. I steamed for 60 minutes then clamps and wedges to get fairly straight. I then used dry heat to remove the twist. Del's suggestion to use sticks really helps visualize the limb twist and to know when it's straight.
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