Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: youngbowyer on February 18, 2013, 05:54:33 pm

Title: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: youngbowyer on February 18, 2013, 05:54:33 pm
I'm running low on staves so I decided to take a walk through the forest to see if there was any good wood to be harvested. found a perfect elm tree and I made short work of it with an ax and a bowsaw. Managed to get 8 staves out of it. I split it at home and hauled the split halves home on my bike,  that was an interesting experience ;) Here's some pictures.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp235/tombowyer/temporary_zpsfefc9ae7.jpg)
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp235/tombowyer/temporary_zps78a3c78b.jpg)
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp235/tombowyer/temporary_zps2dae0a81.jpg)
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp235/tombowyer/temporary_zps0383bac4.jpg)
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: Zion on February 18, 2013, 06:08:06 pm
Lol did ya have to sit on the log while u rode? Nice haul bro those are some really nice pieces!
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 18, 2013, 06:19:04 pm
Your a good kid! You worked hard and are rewarded with a nice pile of bow staves. Good job!
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: stringstretcher on February 18, 2013, 06:21:06 pm
Now for that I applaud you.  That is what it is all about.
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 18, 2013, 06:24:06 pm
Almost makes we wanna cry Chuck? You get so used to hearing a bunch of begging and BS , then this young MAN turns around and does this......yanks at my heart strings.
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: bow101 on February 18, 2013, 06:26:15 pm
Way to go guy, have tree will travel  :laugh: one way or another ya get'er dun.  8)
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: rps3 on February 18, 2013, 06:34:17 pm
You are the man.
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: wapiti1997 on February 18, 2013, 06:37:53 pm
Awesome!  You certainly put your heart in everything you do! I can't wait to see the bows you'll craft from those!
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: blackhawk on February 18, 2013, 06:50:55 pm
 :) ...where there's a will there's a way... :)
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: BowSlayer on February 18, 2013, 07:01:41 pm
i remember carrying home a oak log that the wind blew over, the bow broke into 3 peices (one limb broke while shooting the other i broke through fustration. )  >:D but i learnt from it. BD
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: youngbowyer on February 18, 2013, 07:10:51 pm
haha thanks guys. And no I did not sit on the log. I ended up just walking the bike home with the log balanced on the seat and steering wheel. There's a bunch of nice straight hickory trees there as well but there's no need to be greedy. 8 staves will do it :laugh: I'd like to rough one stave out so i can work on it during spring break. Will elm check and warp roughed out?
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: mwosborn on February 18, 2013, 07:47:56 pm
Very cool.  Nice work young man!  I would seal the back and the ends on them.  Some guys say that it is not necessary on white woods but I have gotten checking on some that were not sealed. 
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: youngbowyer on February 18, 2013, 08:04:50 pm
Very cool.  Nice work young man!  I would seal the back and the ends on them.  Some guys say that it is not necessary on white woods but I have gotten checking on some that were not sealed.
ok, i sealed the ends, i will probably shelac the back then.
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: TRACY on February 18, 2013, 08:50:21 pm
Very nice haul indeed! You're gonna like that elm for bows. I like your attitude and work ethic!


Tracy
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: osage outlaw on February 18, 2013, 10:23:26 pm
Great job getting those staves.  Like mentioned above, it is great to see a young person working hard for something they want.   

You need to find some wheels and make some sort of a cart to pull behind your bike.  Once you get your license you are going to be a stave cutting machine  ;)
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 18, 2013, 10:26:50 pm
If I ever grow up I wanna be like Tom.  He's a great guy and makes great bows.  Those staves are in good hands!
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: Carson (CMB) on February 18, 2013, 10:38:56 pm
Nice haul.  Wheel power is the way to go!
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: youngbowyer on February 19, 2013, 12:52:26 pm
You've got a long way to go JW ;) I have a quick question. I sealed the ends like i do with all staves but should i seal the back as well? And if i do seal it, can i seal it with paint or will that be too difficult to scrape off in the finished bow?
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 19, 2013, 01:00:32 pm
I've sealed backs with latex paint before.  No, it's not that hard to scrape off.  In fact, it scrapes easier then sands off, like I first thought of doing.  But for that matter, how about taking the bow down to the finished shape and pick a nice set of camo colors and seal the back like that and call it done!  Once it's cured, tiller and shoot!
Title: Re: Good Haul.
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 19, 2013, 01:01:34 pm
You've got a long way to go JW ;)

It's like this kid has a window into my soul!
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 19, 2013, 01:05:54 pm
I wouldnt paint any backs. Elm is generally grooved lengthwise on the back and you will have a real mess to clean up later when those micro grooves have left over paint to dig out.  I would use a clear sealer than cant be seen later if some is left behind. 
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: DarkSoul on February 19, 2013, 02:16:27 pm
In my experience, Elm is easy to dry and does not need the back to be sealed. Just don't put the staves in an overly dry place for the first few weeks (no heat box or near the stove) and you should be fine. Sealing the ends is - as always - necessary, but you've already taken care of that :)
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: youngbowyer on February 19, 2013, 03:36:38 pm
Thanks for the advice. I painted half the staves with latex paint and left a few blank. If i have trouble getting the paint of then o well.
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: BowSlayer on February 20, 2013, 05:43:41 am
anyone know anything else that can be used to seal the ends of staves? BD
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: Pappy on February 20, 2013, 07:35:50 am
I seal mosyt of my ends with wood glue. Nice haul young man,that was some mighty fine work right there. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Good Haul.(quick question)
Post by: osage outlaw on February 20, 2013, 07:57:04 am
glue, polyurethane, shellac, etc.