Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DEllis on January 29, 2011, 12:32:54 am

Title: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: DEllis on January 29, 2011, 12:32:54 am

Here's one I tillered out but leaving the finish work to my better half.
59 inches NTN douglas maple(Acer glabrum) sapling 1.5" diameter. draws 46# at the Mrs. draw length of 24"
Broke in set stands at 1/4". Mass of 10.25oz .Tips are 3/8 wide.
Darcy :)

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: Pat B on January 29, 2011, 01:20:25 am

Cool little stick, Darcy and very nice tiller. Well done!  8)

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: half eye on January 29, 2011, 01:30:11 am

That full draw profile is very nice, excellent work.
rich

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 29, 2011, 09:44:58 am

Excellent tiller. Did you cut across the back at the nock? Jawge

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: tattoo dave on January 29, 2011, 10:26:26 am

I like it!! Are you gonna dress it up at all? Nice work!!

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: ken75 on January 29, 2011, 10:38:36 am

very nice bow ! hadnt heard of douglas maple how does it work ?

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: Lee Slikkers on January 29, 2011, 01:04:35 pm

How much different would that Douglas Maple be from say our "sugar" Maple (I think maybe it's Silver Maple but not 100% sure)

Seems like a nice quick build for getting a couple bows in my two young boy's hands...

Looks great!

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: Sidewinder on January 29, 2011, 01:32:34 pm

Cool little bow Darcy. I guess it just goes to show ya can make a bow out of alot of different species of tree. Good job.   Danny

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: n2huntn on January 29, 2011, 02:14:45 pm

That is a fine primitive bow.
Jeff

Title: Re: Douglas maple sapling bow
Post by: DEllis on January 29, 2011, 03:42:43 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Jawge, No I did not cut through the back.....just a stain from the string wax and a blurry pic.

Tattoo Dave, My wife will finish it up however she likes......probably stain and grip wrap but not real fancy.

Ken75, I have used douglas maple a bit in the past and it seems to work quite well. I would like to try heat treating it, but, as is, it seems strong in tension......likes a crowned back/flat belly. I think it is also called mountain maple. It is softer and lighter than vine maple, but grows in my general area(within a couple hours drive).

Lee Slikkers, it is not silver maple(acer saccharinum) or sugar maple(acer saccharum)the latin name for douglas maple is acer glabrum. Seems to me to fall in between silver maple and vine maple for SG(from what I have read). I have used sugar maple (in board form) and it works OK. I found that the maples I have used take a fair bit of set if flat backed and bellied, but work better with a crowned(or trapped back). For this reason I'd like to try heat treating when I get some more wood to experiment with.........I used up all my staves and have to travel a ways to get more :-[

Thanks again fellas,
Darcy :)