Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: youngbowyer33 on November 13, 2009, 11:23:05 am

Title: advice on elm
Post by: youngbowyer33 on November 13, 2009, 11:23:05 am

just cut some elm down, should i take the bark off and seal the ends?and if so what should i use to seal em?would vaseline work?

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: sweeney3 on November 13, 2009, 11:28:10 am

You can peel the bark now relativly easily.  You may also wait untill later and it will tend to flake off rather than peel, but that is still okay.  I'm told you could soak it in a warm shower for a half hour or so to help in removal, but I haven't tried that.  Lots of things will work to seal the ends.  Elmer's School Glue, Titebond...pretty much anything to form a barrier to prevent water quickly escaping.  I don't think you'll have too much trouble with checking in elm anyway, but sealing the ends won't hurt and may help.  Be sure to leave the stave you plan to work on a few inches longer than what you want the finished bow to be too.  If it does check any, you can remove the damaged bit later without hurting your bow, amongst other benifits. 

Enjoy!

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: youngbowyer33 on November 13, 2009, 11:29:37 am

thanks!

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: Del the cat on November 15, 2009, 12:20:54 pm

I use builders PVA. but just about anything will do, old paint, wood glue pasta...
Ok I'm lying about the Pasta...or am I? ::)
Del

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: dragonman on November 15, 2009, 12:53:28 pm

I melt a few candles onto the ends, cheap and effective, But keep the wax away from areas you may want to glue later,  glue doesnt like wax

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: wodpow on November 16, 2009, 02:07:19 am

Vaseline. Crisco, lard,  soft tallow, couldn't think of a more flexable barrier just wonder if if would work into the wood and discolor  it to any depth other than that it should be water tight for sure .

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: anglobow on November 17, 2009, 04:53:40 pm

I prefer to season elm in the round, at least for a few months. The only elm staves that I've split green or tried to rough out in the green twisted horribly while drying.

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: makenzie71 on November 17, 2009, 05:01:36 pm

I use paint to seal the ends...generic enamel spray paint does the trick.

Title: Re: advice on elm
Post by: OldBow on November 17, 2009, 08:21:17 pm

Contact twistedlimbs through this forum. He is the elm genius.