Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Parnell on January 27, 2010, 10:10:35 pm
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I'm starting to size up this carrotwood stave. Not much about the wood from what I've seen on this site. There aren't growth rings with this wood - tropical hardwood, right? It's an invasive species here in Florida. I wanted to post some pictures to gather opinions and any information. I'm thinking of trying a D bow with it. Reducing it to about 2" wide and going from there. With the irregular shape of this - what are thoughts on heat straightening it once reduced? There is also a knot that I'm posting a picture of and just to the left of it there is a dip in the wood. The stave is 64" long. Do-able?
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wow i dont know. i would like to see it if it makes a bow. wait for more response maybe somebody on here knows that wood, good luck. post pics.
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Yes it is doable Parnell ,have made many of them all sizes. For example heres one that finished out 53 lbs @26". Ntn 48".
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Hi Coo-wah-chobee,
Glad to see you pop up. Yours was the example of carrotwood that I'd seen. Could they be done without sinew backing?
How does it respond to steam or dry heat?
Thanks for the post.
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Ought to make a great rabbit bow!! ;D Carrotwood / rabbit ... get it? Sorry I've been working way to much lately.
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Hi Parnell.......responds better to wet heat. Yes can be made without sinew. Once you straighten it you need ta strap it so it wont twist and let it dry, really dry. Ya know near bow dimensions. Then smoke it for 6 hours er so and let it rest fer a few days before you work it. As far as a handle bow I only make d-bows in recent times so cant really say fer sure but should be ok. Good luck with it, the wood makes a nice an deadly hunting bow. Rich Saffold has it out in calif or "granola land " ;D ifn ya prefer but I dont know ifn he has used it yet. We corresponded about it some time ago.....bob
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I have it growing all over out here, it grows wild. always too twisted. hard to split straight. The wood itself seems like it would make a good bow if you could find one straight enough. I have been looking for about 10 years now. Good luck on that one. Steve
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Ought to make a great rabbit bow!! ;D Carrotwood / rabbit ... get it? Sorry I've been working way to much lately.
WOW... the quality of jokes on here really seems to be increasing towards the full moon! ;D ;D ;D
Looking forward for the bow!
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;D ;D ;D Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. :)
Pappy
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Invasive species huh? Well if it works, you can make a bunch and save them for an invasion.
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keep us up to date on this one.please show some pics of wood color and grain when you get into it.
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Never heard of it but it sounds interesting!!.
What color is the wood?
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I started to reduce the stave this evening. Thought ya'll would like some pictures.
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Heck, bring it up, I still have two heat guns and plenty of clamps. ;D
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Bob,
Carrotwood? and I thought it was Avocado.. ??? ;D Sure is some dense and twisted wood.The dog down the street sounds like an invasive species so maybe I'll test it on him first...He probably eats granola too ;D
Parnell, Thanks for starting this thread..
Rich-likes granola
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I found that carrotwood has a specific gravity of .53 (dry), so judging from the suggested widths in TBB1 a 66" bow pulling 50lb. should have 1.75" limbs.
My question is this - how would you guys go about correlating these widths if you were looking to make a bend in the handle bow?
I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to go for a semi-ridgid handle with this piece of wood.
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parnell keep the pics comin. thats some pretty wood.
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Does it darken up over time? The unsplit trunk looked pretty dark orangy-brown, but once you reduced it, it looks almost gray.
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Well, I was trying to take some of the deflex out of one of the limbs to even it up and it just didn't want to take it. It cracked both on the back and belly. I'm convinced that this wood is doable but it will take a straight piece. I have a few that I'll work on again.
Here are some pictures...
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