Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gsulfridge on March 07, 2013, 11:20:25 am
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I just received to nice ERC logs. Both are over 6' and pipe straight with no visible knots. After hearing all the horror stories, I'm hesitant to tackle them, but they sure are nice!(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/6EB41FEF-0C77-424C-B215-F857B85A6274-1537-0000047AC8F37C84_zpse697dd02.jpg)
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Those look great. ERC that nice is a rare find in my area. At least where i can cut any.
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Here's a pic of the heartwood.
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/F38357CA-9DF7-44FE-BAC3-D06E7AA8666F-1537-0000047ADB49D66C_zps30295925.jpg)
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Sure smells good to me ;D
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You are wise to be hesitant and should not mess with them, you should send them to me immediately just in case you get the itch to try them. I will be happy to save you from the ERC, again send them to me. >:D
Grady
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Grady, would you trade me some ocean front property for them? ::)
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Very nice logs :) Never seen any pictures of straighter ERC than those! Decent amount of heartwood too, which is very nice on the belly of the bows.
You must seal the ends ASAP, though.
I would also recommend splitting them rather sooner than later, to prevent heart checks from drying round wood.
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Those are some nice logs. Thing I can't figure out is how did it grow that straight without any knots. I got some straight stuff on my property but its got branches coming off all over it, so I been hesitant to cut it for bow wood. I think you should do well with those. Danny
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I sealed the ends with PVC glue. That's all I had handy. Sure made the color pop out!
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/AF97D18C-2EC9-4D00-B0F8-0D30AA44A41F-1537-00000489EBC80E90_zps83436eb2.jpg)
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Grady, would you trade me some ocean front property for them? ::)
Absolutely, right here in the heart of beautiful Arkansas. :laugh:
Grady
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Very nice logs :) Never seen any pictures of straighter ERC than those! Decent amount of heartwood too, which is very nice on the belly of the bows.
You must seal the ends ASAP, though.
I would also recommend splitting them rather sooner than later, to prevent heart checks from drying round wood.
Don't split ERC...too soft...kerf cut with a circular saw at the very least...but cut the stuff out if you can...and I've left ERC to dry in the round with bark still on and never had an issue with checking...just sealed the ends n that's it.
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looks very good,, cedar still scares me,,but some of the sweetest shooting bow I have ever shot were cedar I think the cedar is like yew you want very tight rings a guy in Kentucky used to sinew back cedar and they were very nice bows,, his cedar was the purple colored stuff, how are the rings on these logs,
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very nice, seal it and forget it for ? how long?
chuck
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Howdy, I've always split juniper and found it very easy to debark and split cleanly. Sawing a kerf on oppisite sides would work,too. I just worry that you'll get checking and splits if you don't. Although rare, there is at least one variety of wood wasp that will attack bark-on staves. Debark now or spray with insecticide. Ron
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How long does it usually take to dry ERC to a workable state? I have some ERC that is nice and clean from a cluster drying and was wondering.
Grady
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When the heartwood is the desired prize with ERC it is best to cut it out and get more bang for your buck,and you will get less waste,and won't risk dinging it up....and if you store it indoors you don't have to worry about bugs in most cases ....I store mine inside and never once have had a bug issue....ERC and yew are the only two woods I consider best to cut out instead of splitting.
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Huh that odd cause I always split mine..most split straight as an arrow too..I have about 8 good staves....80 inch long too...I would split them so they can dry..they aren't gonna dry hardly any in log form and sealed..js..gut
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Grady, I'm not sure about drying time. Someone else may chime in. I've never worked it before.
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ERC dries as good as any wood , hickory being the most hydroscoptic IMO..never going below 15% unless hot boxed in the south....I would certainly split those logs man or they are not gonna dry..you can bet on that....look down south we make split rail fences and the majority are out of ERC...those logs look like they will split straight as an arrow..imo.I would just quarter them and leave them for 3 months ..then maybe split one of the quarters if there is enough and rough out..erc is very soft wood too...so be careful when hoggin off your excess wood...gut