Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gaust on October 29, 2013, 05:29:51 pm
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Okay, first things first. Had a hackberry tree in my backyard cut down and I got to save an 8" - 10" diameter x 77" long portion of the trunk. My goal is to split the log and make several staves for selfbows. I have it sitting outside and have sealed the ends of the log with spar urethane. Should I split it immediately and get it indoors before the cold, rainy weather hits? (http://Hackberry Log 1.JPG)Hackberry Log 2.JPG
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Go ahead and split it.
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Yes. Split it now.
Peal the bark off and seal the backs and ends. Then get it indoors.
Don't leave that Hackberry outside. It will rune in just a few short days.
Maybe get it indoors first.
David
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I agree to split debark and seal as soon as possible I've lost hackberry to procrastination :-[
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There's a good sized log that was cut down by a road crew recently near my house. I have been eying it for 3 days now, don't know when it was cut. I have just been too busy to pick it up. Plus I don't know exactly how to get a car parked up near it, it is by a really busy road on a hillside sort of, but right next to the road. I wonder how fast the bugs will get to it?
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Thanks, all. I'll get that log split first thing in the morn. Then start taking the bark off each stave. I'll seal the backs as well prior to storage inside my garage. When I take the bark off, is it important not to violate the growth ring below it? Or is that only necessary if I don't back it?
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Be as careful as you can,but it probably will be tough to get off this time of year,first ring under the bark is you back,but most Hackberry I have used is pretty easy to chase a ring if you violate the back while de barking. :) Just get it out of the weather as soon as you can is the main thing.I have left the bark on,just more chance of bug if you do. :)
Pappy
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Be as careful as you can,but it probably will be tough to get off this time of year,first ring under the bark is you back,but most Hackberry I have used is pretty easy to chase a ring if you violate the back while de barking. :) Just get it out of the weather as soon as you can is the main thing.I have left the bark on,just more chance of bug if you do. :)
Pappy
A sharp draw knife is great to get the bark off I find (mine was sent to me by criverville, thank you again!). I take off all the hard part, and leave a bit of the soft part underneath, which I then will switch to a dull butter knife to scrap the soft stuff off. I usually can get a stave done pretty quick this way when the bark sticks, without violating the back.
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Sorry to hijack this post but is it important to seal the back of a hickory stave after removing the bark? I sealed the ends and removed the bark (on some of the staves, left bark on some) but I didn't seal the back before putting them up in the shed.
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Sorry to hijack this post but is it important to seal the back of a hickory stave after removing the bark? I sealed the ends and removed the bark (on some of the staves, left bark on some) but I didn't seal the back before putting them up in the shed.
Most of the time, probably 99 percent of the time, they will be fine without sealing the back. I had a couple check on the back on me once, but it was very slight, the staves were very big and thick, and it was very hot outside. And even then, I still made bows out of them, and they were fine. I have never sealed the back on a hackberry stave myself.
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Whew! Bought a sledge hammer and some wedges and I just split the log and got two good staves so far. I'll finish splitting the other half this afternoon. I might get three staves out of that half. This is hard work for a 64 year old. But I'm determined to turn this wood into something beautiful if it doesn't kill me first.
George(http://Hackberry Log 3.JPG)
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Just finished splitting the log. Got five staves from it. Three are okay, the other two are questionable because of a slight twist in them. Next I'll remove the bark with my draw knife before I store them for the winter. I'll probably go ahead and seal the backs, too.
George
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Be VERY careful when you remove the bark with a drawknife! You must not damage the wood that is directly underneath the bark. Try to peel off as much as possible, and scrape with a dull (draw)knife when necessary. Any nicks in the first layer of wood (which will become the back of the bow) can become a problem.
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Thanks, DarkSoul. Will do, but will I recognize that layer when I see it?
George
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Twist is not anything scary in hackberry. You can use either steam or dry heat to correct twist.
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Like JW said twist is not a problem with Hackberry,and yes you should be able
to tell the top ring when you get through the bark,just go slow and scrape if necessary. :) I seal most any wood when I remove the bark,sometimes it won't cause a problem if you don't but ant worth the chance,sealing them ant hard. ;) :)
Pappy
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Thanks, JW. That's good to know. I have a couple of staves that will have to be eventually straightened.
Dark Soul, do I take off the brittle soft stuff directly underneath the bark at this time? Or can I store it with that on for my drying period?
George
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Just answered my own question. I removed the brittle stuff down to the first growth ring and sealed the back with Elmer's glue. That's one down and four to go.
George
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Bought a sledge hammer
:) I always just use another piece of wood, usually a big fat honeysuckle trunk, 8).
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Wondering if would be better to rough out a bow from a stave before setting it aside to dry out. Any suggestions?
George