Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Shadow Walker on May 12, 2009, 09:59:25 pm

Title: silver maple??
Post by: Shadow Walker on May 12, 2009, 09:59:25 pm

Does anyone have any experience with silver  maple as a bow wood? I have just moved to an area where all we seem to have is, what I believe, is silver maple,  and willow. Obviously the willow is no good to me, but I've never even heard of silver maple before.
Any information would be appreciated.

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: Hillbilly on May 12, 2009, 10:02:51 pm

Silver maple is about the lightest and most brittle of the maples-not a lot better than the willow. Bows have been made from it, but I wouldn't call it a good bow wood. Mich. Bowguy made a silver maple bow that seemed to shoot well, though. Make it long and bendy handled.

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: michbowguy on May 12, 2009, 10:04:27 pm

silver maple wouldnt be my first choice but i have made a few from it.
both took some initial set but settled right in after the first 500 shots or so.
make sure you make it long enough for the poundage as it dries it will like to check at any point there is a potential hingy spot in the limb.

jamie

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: Hillbilly on May 12, 2009, 10:05:24 pm

Speak of the devil.........;D

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: michbowguy on May 12, 2009, 10:06:15 pm

man, its nice to have someone remember one of my "not so popular bows"...thanks  ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: Hillbilly on May 12, 2009, 10:07:28 pm

Where you been hiding lately? Haven't seen you on in a while until I typed your name and summoned you.....;D

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: michbowguy on May 13, 2009, 03:52:03 pm

school mostly, higher education ......its sucking the life outa me. ::)

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: Hillbilly on May 13, 2009, 04:25:44 pm

Know what you mean-two exams so far this week (on top of work)

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: Dauntless on May 13, 2009, 05:17:30 pm

I've made a couple too...  It's chrysal city, even with a dead flat belly and some toasting.  Go long, go wide or make spoons with it instead.

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: michbowguy on May 13, 2009, 10:02:11 pm

yes. my bad. chrysal is what i meant to say.thanks dauntless.
jamie

Title: Re: silver maple??
Post by: Shadow Walker on May 13, 2009, 11:13:12 pm

O.K, spoons it is, I found an apple tree nearby in the woods, maybe I'll try a bow from that. I'de really like to make a native flatbow so I need something suitable for a short bow. Thanks for all the info. It's good to know, there's somewhere to go when you need help, and you can always count on the good folks at P.A !