Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Will H on April 02, 2011, 02:02:57 am
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Has anyone ever made a bow from old fenceposts? I have 6 that are really old but in good shape made from quarter split Osage logs. I need some advice on how to treat the staves. Should I cut them to length and chase them down to one ring. Then seal the ends and let them dry? That was sorta my plan...Any thoughts? Ill post some pics tomorrow... :) :)
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ya, shellac the backs too.
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I've made lots of fencepost bows. All of them I made up in Nebraska were great successes, and I still have some of that post left to splice up some more staves with. My last attempt, my first in Texas, failed. Here is the thread: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,22983.0.html (I had to edit the posts to put the pictures back in after changing picture servers.)
I have never sealed a fencepost back when I got it to a growth ring and have never had one crack. But, all my fenceposts were VERY old. If your post was lying on the ground it could still have some moisture in it. It's never a bad idea to seal a bow back, but if your post was recently standing and old, it will be well seasoned, believe me. I think old fenceposts, especially old corner posts, are the best bow wood there is.
Good luck with yours.
George
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Well I got a chance to grab a few more...worked em a bit. Heres some pics :) :) :)
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....and more.... ;D
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...and a few more.... :o Oh, and thanks for the inspirational link gstoneberg... Great thread! I think your right, this stuff is like buried gold!
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Wow those look old ;D look forward to seeing what you get out of them
Josh
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The farmer said close to 100ys old! ;D ;D ;D
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:o
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WOW! Learn something new everyday! Never would have thought to make a bow out of an old fencepost. Really cool and look forward to seeing some. :)
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Great find! I'd bet every farm in osage country has a stack of them out behind the barn. ;)
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They're still cutting them and selling them by the pickup bed load down here. They aren't used quite like they used to be. Most of the posts now are primarily used as spacers between steel posts to keep the wire from sagging. I've seen lots of fences with an osage post every foot or so with the bottom not even touching the ground. Looks real good and lasts forever. 100 year old wood is HARD HARD HARD. Keep the pictures coming, I'm anxious to see how it turns out.
George
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very cool! someone gave me an old fence post. split it the other day. man, that wood was incredibly dark all the way thru. and hard. one piece i believe will make a good bow. its not real long(sorry dont recall exactly) but nevertheless. beautiful! show some pic when ya start working on those bows please!
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Just chase down to a ring no need to seal it. It's as dry as it's going to be.
Long time ago had a friend in KS. pull out a corner post his grandady planted over 100 years before split 5 staves from it one did'nt make it. they all made great bows. MY friend named the bow I make him old goldie.
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Thanks for all the great info and support people! Ill post some pics when I start getting down to buisness... ;D