Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mad Max on December 09, 2023, 04:01:33 pm
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Haven been on here for a while. >:(
What kind of Elm in my state is good/best for bows, and what is the smallest diameter tree to start with?
North Mississippi
https://regionalgardening.com/elm-trees-in-mississippi/
Thanks :)
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Mark, I've only used winged elm and red elm and both are very good bow woods. I think anything 2" and up would be good for hunting weight bows.
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Mark, I've only used winged elm and red elm and both are very good bow woods. I think anything 2" and up would be good for hunting weight bows.
There are 3 of the 5 on that link I posted and the 3 say other names red elm also.
Check that link for me please. ???
I printed the tree pictures and info to help me find the correct ones.
Thanks Pat :)
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Never used anything ,but good clean American elm, so nothing to compare it to. It worked fine for me.
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Mark, I don't know if the red elm I used was one of those three red elms. The stave was given to me.
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:o ??? ::) :P :fp
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Red elm has been used in a lot of laminated glass bows with good results. My Treadway bow has red elm back and belly, under glass. Maybe ask other glass bow builders which red elm they have used. The only real way to tell which one it is is with the botanical names.
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Ok
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We have a few elm varieties here in west KY. But the winged variety is my obvious choice because it is easy to identify, almost unsplitable and grows like a weed. I saw a stave with a chainsaw, then make any design I want without much concern for grain run out. It just isn't much of a concern.
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White/American
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Thanks guy's :)
Winged elm it is
sealed the ends with glue
Looks like sapwood and heart wood, is it good out to the bark?
1st log--12" on the small end 15"on the other
(https://i.imgur.com/uXLNWT1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LaG4k9X.jpg)
2nd log we cut it for a few billets.
(https://i.imgur.com/Bim8aP0.jpg)
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Sapwood is all I ever used, right under the bark.
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Thanks pat :D
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Like Pat Sap wood is all I ever use, good looking log, that should make a fine bow. :) don't work it down to close until it has time to dry a bit or clamp it to something as it dries, it will tend to twist and warp if to close to bow size if you don't clamp it to a board or form. ;)
Pappy
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:OK
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I would also go ahead and get the bark off, although it won’t come of as easy as it does in the summer it will be easier that once it dries and get tough, seal the back afterwards. Pappy
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Thanks
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Winged elm also called , Wahoo Elm, Cork Elm, Witch Elm
So the smaller log was cut to 40" or so for Billets.
The big log was split/cut in half, for 2 months now, Should I split the half's into quarters? half's are 13" wide on the big end and 11" small end.
Should I use a skill saw to score it, then split?
I always though you were suppose to follow the split grain?????
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It's hard enough to split elm much less follow the grain. You should follow the grain with most bow woods, elm included but at least with it's interlocking grain elm can handle some radial grain violation.
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I would if it were me. I think it would help it dry out better. I harvested a limb off an elm tree this summer and I split it and removed the bark. I just split mine with wedges and a sledgehammer. I ended up with about 4 pieces total. It seems to be drying out pretty good. I’m not real familiar with elm so maybe others will chime in.