Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on July 29, 2012, 11:46:01 pm

Title: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 29, 2012, 11:46:01 pm

My parents have a huge apple tree that has a nice pipe straight limb that I want to use for some self bows. Never have tried apple before. Does it make a good bow?

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Pat B on July 29, 2012, 11:48:29 pm

Yes!  ;)

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 30, 2012, 12:01:29 am

Great! Sorry bout your tree dad! >:D

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Postman on July 30, 2012, 12:20:28 am

"Pruning" the tree will make it more productive next year....     ;) Plus I'm sure you saw that limb was affected by the Japanese Fujipox virus...

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 30, 2012, 12:25:24 am

There you go! Thanks Postman!

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Bryce on July 30, 2012, 04:19:04 am

Makes a GREAT!!! Bow

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 30, 2012, 01:24:23 pm

Do you just treat it like a white wood then?

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: rossfactor on July 30, 2012, 01:53:49 pm

Drying apply can be really tricky.  It likes to check mor than almost any wood I've seen. I'd either:

1. Immediately rough it out to almost finished shape, and then put glue on any areas that have exposed pith, wrap it in plastic and let it dry for 3-6 months or;

2. Leave the bark on, seal the ends with glue and leave it for a year.

Don't split it in half and dry it, or remove the bark and dry a round branch.  Either of those are likely to induce checking. Just a word from the unwise.  ;)

Gabe

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Bryce on July 30, 2012, 04:50:41 pm

Since where on the subject could a 1" wide 61" long crabapple sapling make a 50-55#@28" bow?
I've only made one apple bow so I'm no expert.

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: rossfactor on July 30, 2012, 05:17:44 pm

Can't answer your question for sure Bryce, I'd reckon its doable, but ambitious.

One of the absolutely best bows I've ever seen was a crab apple character bow made by J.D. Duff back in 07.  The thing was amazing.  Check it out.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,4575.0.html

Gabe

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 30, 2012, 05:24:26 pm

Rossfactor, that is an amazing bow! So just leave the log whole and seal the ends? Don't even split it into staves?

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: rossfactor on July 30, 2012, 06:03:12 pm

Leave it whole and seal it or rough the bow out green (and seal it :)). I usually rough fruit wood bows out green, but it can be a crap-shoot.

Gabe

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: rossfactor on July 30, 2012, 06:04:01 pm

If you split it into staves and let it dry that way I think it's much more likely to check.

Gabe

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 30, 2012, 06:19:12 pm

what glue do you seal it with?

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: rossfactor on July 30, 2012, 06:22:13 pm

Guys use different stuff. I've used TB2 or 3.  Anything that provides a decent moisture barrier will reduce excessive drying on cut surfaces like the ends of the stave.

Gabe

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: turtle on July 31, 2012, 12:36:20 am

I dont claim to know anything about apple as bow wood, but i wish you luck. Lately ive been sealing my staves with school glue from a craft 2000 store. Around 12 bucks a gallon.

Title: Re: Apple as a bow wood?
Post by: Peter-t123 on July 31, 2012, 10:38:40 pm

Hi Lee, you may find some of the replies on my thread (and the bow i built) in the english warbow section, i would also like to very strongly agree with any advice you have received about seasoning, i cut a stave of crab apple recently, sealed the ends, and put it aside in a cool corner to dry, 2 days later i went to look at it and it had nearly ripped itself into pieces with some gigantic checks, it seems that this wood will check beyond easily and you should be very cautious with seasoning