Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DennisM on May 28, 2011, 01:28:49 am
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First post, but have been lurking, reading and trying to learn for a few months. I am planning my first bow. Good wood for staves are scarce here in South Florida and I thought a board bow would be a good start for a first bow. I read an article on the web maybe 12 yrs ago on building Self Bows and thought I would give it a try. Long story short this led me to how to build a draw knife, which led me into custom knife building and never got back to the bow.
So I'm back where I started. I have read all I can find on the web, TBB2 and the Bent Stick. A lot of the info I have gathered seems contradictory. I've been looking in local lumber yards and have found a large White Ash board 2"X 8"X 8' flat sawn thru the center of a large log, it looks like you could chase a growth ring from either side. I have also found some nice straight grained quarter sawn white oak. If I under stand correctly either could be used but is one type better than the other ie flat sawn vs quarter sawn.
Also thinking of a Meare Heath style 45-50# @29'
Thanks for any and all replies in advance
Dennis
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I sometimes buy flat sawn but as you said you need to chase a growth ring so make sure you will have enough wood to do that. 1/4 sawn is bullet proof if the rings lines are running straight. I would go with the white oak over the ash, sometimes the ash is great but it tends to ne inconsistent. If the ash feels prety dense it should be ok.
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Look for straight grained board of either of the 3 cuts. Check the face grain for flat and rift sawn. Check the edge grain for 1/4 sawn. I allow 2 run outs (run ups) per limb. My site has info. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
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Thanks for the replies
I can understand how the flat sawn and quarter sawn would work, but it seems if you used rift sawn the limbs would want to twist when drawn, or am I wrong?
I'm from Kentucky and know all the old timers used White Oak for about everything.
As long as it doesn't contact the ground it will last a long long time. So I'm leaning towards the quarter sawn White Oak. Cut timber for a few years there mostly White Oak, Beech, and Poplar. Going back on vacation in July, may try to find some Hickory for staves.
George; Great site, read it all before I ever posted here.
Dennis
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white oak quarter sawn is damn near bullitt proof, it's some tuff stuff and I've made good self bows and used it for backing, no failures yet :D, Bub