Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: triton on April 18, 2009, 07:17:32 am
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Hi all,
I've just been given the use of a moisture reader (hygrometer?), it's a fairly old Protimeter timber master with a shoulder strap, definately not the single handed items around now.
It has 3 buttons with a list of different woods but Yew isn't one of them, along with the push in probes, it has a hammer probe and another socket for temperature.
My request for help is to ask which woods would be comparible to Yew for moisture content? Different staves are reading between 14-18%. A piece of Yew under my desk is 14% along with a pair of Oak pew ends.
Have I already answered my own question and can safely assume that around 14% is an ideal ambient moisture?
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I'm not sure what you are using but if it measures the actual moisture of the stave then I prefer 6-10%. I like hickory around 6% and osage at 8%. I've only worked a couple of yew and they were slow aged and I don't even remember if I checked their moisture. Jawge
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if its a stave you checking.and its 14 percent.maybe you could rought out a bow (take all uwanted wood off)and bring it in side 70-80 degrees for a week and that might get you to 10 percent...john
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10% is what I've read before but here's the trouble I'm having:
3 buttons on the meter; Green button 'A' has a list below from Ash - European to Walnut - American.
Red button 'B' lists Ash - America to Walnut - N. Guinnea. Blue bitton 'C' lists Beech - European to Walnut - Queensland. From the different woods I've tried it on, for instance Oak, the difference in readings between each of the ranges (Button A,B or C) can be between 2-4%.
On the same piece of yew I get results between 14-18% again depending on which range I use.
I suppose the resistance is altered depending on density of the wood and can only really be used as a rough estimate. If I wait until I get an average of around 10% would that suffice? But then given the ranges and the omission of Yew, it could be + or - upto 4%
Or am I just being too anally retentive about it? I was aiming for that 10% as that seems to be the figure most others have quoted. I was just wondering if there is a comparible wood which will give me a clue.
Would you worry about 2-4% here or there?
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Ok I understand. No idea whether the yew is A,B or C. Can you call the manufacturer? Jawge
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Maybe this will help. It's for the new Protimeter Timber Master(hand held one). But it's a reference chart for wood.
Tavis
http://testproducts.com/protimeter/manuals/wood_caibration_cross_reference-v2.pdf
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Maybe this will help. It's for the new Protimeter Timber Master(hand held one). But it's a reference chart for wood.
Tavis
http://testproducts.com/protimeter/manuals/wood_caibration_cross_reference-v2.pdf
Excellent.
I looked over their website but couldn't find that.
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I have the Mini Ligno moisture meter. They have A and B woods. Osage was not on the list. I called them and they told me it was a B so the manufacturer will know most likely where yew is. Jawge
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i just tap one end of my staves on the concrete floor of my basement
when it makes "ringing" type sound,instead of a "thud".then i figure its dry enough and make a bow from it
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i just tap one end of my staves on the concrete floor of my basement
when it makes "ringing" type sound,instead of a "thud".then i figure its dry enough and make a bow from it
I've heard of that method before but it escaped me when I needed it. Usually I just leave em for a year but was offered this witchcraft electronic device. was close to pinning tongue of lizard or eye of frog to the staves. ;D
Jawge, thanks for your input. from the PDF linked previously I should be reading the 'C' scale
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Use the setting for doug fir and it will put you very close. Steve