Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bloodhound on June 15, 2013, 10:02:44 am

Title: Ash
Post by: Bloodhound on June 15, 2013, 10:02:44 am

Last august i cut an ash 6 inch diameter, same night i skinned it split it and glued the tips then put them in the barn at my cabin. Just retreived them and the ends look great but tiny cracks all over the back. This is how i treat maple and hickory, does ash need to be handled differently?

Title: Re: Ash
Post by: AH on June 15, 2013, 12:20:03 pm

I would seal the backs too.

Title: Re: Ash
Post by: Pat B on June 15, 2013, 12:58:14 pm

I seal the back of any stave I'm working on or storing. I use shellac and it can be easily remover when needed but it is cheap insurance. You can fill the checks with super glue and you should be OK.

Title: Re: Ash
Post by: DarkSoul on June 15, 2013, 05:36:21 pm

Did you split the log into halves or quarters? I think quarter splits should not crack on the back. If it did, the humidity might have been very low, at some point in time.
In my opinion, but not experience, ash, hickory and maple can all be treated the same when it comes to drying.

Title: Re: Ash
Post by: bow101 on June 15, 2013, 06:50:55 pm

Is it ok to back a maple board with Ash..?        ???

Title: Re: Ash
Post by: dwardo on June 16, 2013, 06:36:24 am

Ash should be easier to season due to its relatively low native mc. Must have got dry too fast. Done this with some lovely elm my self and wasn't happy. I have sealed the back of every stave since or left the bark on till mid way through seasoning.

Title: Re: Ash
Post by: AH on June 16, 2013, 03:00:56 pm

Quote from: bow101 on June 15, 2013, 06:50:55 pm

Is it ok to back a maple board with Ash..?        ???

you could....unless there's grain violation on the maple I'm not really sure why you would back it?