Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bigbo1234 on October 22, 2010, 12:58:39 pm

Title: Teak.
Post by: Bigbo1234 on October 22, 2010, 12:58:39 pm
i am new to this forum. My Name is Bowen, from northern michigan. i was wondering about making a board bow from teak. i have an awful lot of teak from a water tower that was recently taken down, the tower was built during the civil war and once planed, the wood is perfect, all strait and clear 14 foot x 7 3/4 inches x 2 3/4 inches. is teak good for bows or not so. i have 120 acres of hardwoods including Ash, Maple, Ironwood, beach, birch, and poplar. any suggestions are much appreciated.
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: HoBow on October 22, 2010, 01:03:21 pm
Teak is probably not the best choice, but ash, maple and ironwood are all good choices.  ;)
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: El Destructo on October 22, 2010, 03:17:48 pm
If it were Mine...and I wish it were....I would run it through a Surface Planer...take off all of the weathered Wood...and sell this Lot...Teak is worth a lot more the Woodworkers...or keep it and build one Awesome Deck that will last forever....Better for Furniture and stuff than it is for building a bow....JMO
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: Parnell on October 22, 2010, 03:25:53 pm
Yeah - that sounds like some valuable wood.  You are in a great area for bow wood and have a ton of options.  I'd let the teak become something that will continue to endure.  JMO.
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: Cacatch on October 22, 2010, 03:48:55 pm
Yeah, very good advice above. I'd try putting that teak on e-bay or something and see what you could get for it. As for a bow, I'd go after some of that ironwood.


CP
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: Buckeye Guy on October 22, 2010, 03:53:00 pm
Are you certain its teak ? I do not think they would haul it in for a water tower! More likely its Cypress .
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: El Destructo on October 22, 2010, 04:40:59 pm
Seen a few Water Towers made from it before...it lasts forever...UV rays dont hurt it Weather dont faze it...but then they make a lot from Cyprus and Redwood also...chould not be hard to tell...neither looks feels ...or smells like Teak does
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: Grunt on October 23, 2010, 09:15:01 am
Teak will take the edge of your tools in a heartbeat. Should be good in compression.
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: Bigbo1234 on November 09, 2010, 09:11:17 am
thank you for all the replies. yeah im sure it's teak, the tower had a cyprus bottum and teak walls.
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: HatchA on November 09, 2010, 11:59:34 am
You could make yourself a nice dining table, counter tops, maybe even some garden furniture outta that teak!  Nice haul!

And 120 acres of all those other woods???   Feel like hosting a great big "bow-in" sometime...?  Hehehe
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: Bevan R. on November 09, 2010, 12:39:01 pm
Why not try a bow with the teak? It sounds like you have enough for an experiment. I say give it a go. You would only be out some time.
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: AncientArcher76 on November 09, 2010, 01:17:14 pm
Teak is worth some money like El D said I was a sawyer and got to saw one log of that up...Very dense and makes for some great high end furniture.  Look for any of the mentioned hard wood...stay away from the poplar unless arrows... U should have some hickory and maybe elm.. I love Maple it works for me but can give some people headaches.  Good luck and take some pictures ...cut ur staves in late fall /winter...

Russ
Title: Re: Teak.
Post by: sailordad on November 09, 2010, 06:52:36 pm
Why not try a bow with the teak? It sounds like you have enough for an experiment. I say give it a go. You would only be out some time.

not to mention a very expensive piece of wood