Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: CrazyHorse1969 on January 12, 2017, 03:16:55 pm
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I have a Hickory log, the bark is still on it and it has been sealed and curing for two years back in Michigan, and have no way (and no one) to split and quarter it. The log is around 70" and perhaps 14"-18" in diameter. Instead of hand-splitting the log, could it be sawed (sawn?) down the middle then sawed (sawn?) into quarters? Easier to ship the staves than the whole log, but would it render the staves useless?
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If it is reasonably straight, sure. The bark on is a concern though. It will probably be checking and bugs have probably started on it.
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Two $10 wedges and a 35$ sledge will do it, tightwad :). If it is straight you can kerf it with a skilsaw to make splitting easier.
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Two $10 wedges and a 35$ sledge will do it, tightwad :). If it is straight you can kerf it with a skilsaw to make splitting easier.
Seems like he means he is where it ain't.
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Two $10 wedges and a 35$ sledge will do it, tightwad :). If it is straight you can kerf it with a skilsaw to make splitting easier.
It's at my parents' place. My dad--as a result of age--is unable to.
It's been sprayed to help keep away the bugs.
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Where was this log stored? How often was it sprayed for bugs? I left osage logs stored under a porch roof for a month or two. I sprayed them several times and still had borers in them. You should find a way to check the condition of your hickory before you ship it. You don't want to pay to ship firewood.
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Where was this log stored? How often was it sprayed for bugs? I left osage logs stored under a porch roof for a month or two. I sprayed them several times and still had borers in them. You should find a way to check the condition of your hickory before you ship it. You don't want to pay to ship firewood.
In a covered garage. I sprayed it the first spring and the first summer. My dad sprayed it the next spring and the next summer.
Good reminder about pesky bugs, though.
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I don't know if the borers are as bad in Michigan as they are in Indiana. I hope its still in good shape for you.
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I have a sledge and a splitting axe close by. No wedges, though. Should be able to find a couple to borrow for the job. I will check around here. Need to find a couple of young guys to do the swinging, though:)!
Hawkdancer
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You could make some wooden wedges from some decent wood, start splitting in a natural check/crack on the end of the log if there is any.
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I don't think wooden wedges are going to up to the task of splitting a 14 -18 inch hickory log!
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He said he wasn't where the log was and his dad was to old or unable. I have sawed Hickory many times, if the grain is straight there is no problem with sawing it. Now bugs, not much good way to tell without getting the bark off. :)
Pappy
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If you have a chain saw you can kerf cut it deeply and save a lot of sweat.i have even cut quarters with the same method.it's a bit hard on the saw though.
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If there is no one to split it I doubt you'll have much more luck getting it sawed.
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I was given a 12" hickory log a few years ago that had sat in a garage, off the floor for 2 years. It was squared off with most of the bark removed and fungi still made it unsuitable bow bows. I sawed staves and backing strips from it and the first backing strip I used cracked across the grain. Even the wood surface had a powdery feel to it.
With whitewoods it is better,IMO, to get it split at least into quarters so the moisture can start evaporating. It really doesn't take whitewoods long before fungi move in to do their job. Removing the moisture is the best way to prevent fungi.
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I use a mixed method on big hickory logs; I split it with a chainsaw first into pieces I can split easily with wedges then kerf the splits with a skill saw on a chalk line for straight even staves
This was late summer cut wood and the bark is firmly attached, never again, only spring cut wood in my future.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/sawing%20wood/kerfinghickory.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/sawing%20wood/kerfinghickory.jpg.html)
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I don't think wooden wedges are going to up to the task of splitting a 14 -18 inch hickory log!
Wood wedges are awesome.
You cant pretend they start the split in a solid integer wood but if you start with an axe or saw, put some chip of wood in the fissure before removing it and use wood wedges they'll do the job.
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Had 2 other thoughts 1. Very important to make sure no bugs, borers, etc in the wood before moving it.
2. There has to be somebody in your dad 's area splitting firewood with a hydraulic splitter that would split it for a nominal fee. Heck of a lot easier than sledge and wedge! How long is the log? I have a chain saw as well.
Hawkdancer
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I don't think wooden wedges are going to up to the task of splitting a 14 -18 inch hickory log!
Nah, those are just to hold the split open while he retrieves his real wedge.
I want to know who carried an 18" diameter green hickory log into a garage for you. I want to hire the guy for some other stuff.
On BIG wood like that, I just started kerfing it deeply with a chainsaw, cutting a channel on one side, preferably one section you don't want, several inches deep into the log. Then I hammer in wedges. Spreading open a kerf takes a lot less energy than driving the wedge in the first few inches, anyway. Keep the saw or an axe handy to cut through hangers-on. Then you'll see that HALF a hickory log is MUCH easier to split than a whole one.
I hope you get some good staves after all the trouble.
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If the wood is in Michigan, I bet we have someone on here that is close enough to help you out.
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Hmmm? That is a generous offer. Mid-Michigan, north of the Tri-City area.
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As Pat said, bacteria has probably made a mess of your wood