Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: cowboy on December 10, 2007, 01:17:55 pm

Title: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: cowboy on December 10, 2007, 01:17:55 pm
I'll try this one more time...
 Have some nice stave's of Hick (at least I hope I still do). Taking off the bark and sealing didn't prevent either checking or bugs ???. Anyway, I chased one down ten rings and still found a wormhole. What do ya'll think about a hick bow with a few small holes in the back? These bugs are tiny, the holes are about 1 mm in diameter, or is it all fire wood? Don't want to do a lot of work for nothing...

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Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: tom sawyer on December 10, 2007, 01:24:45 pm
As small as the holes are, and as tough as hickory is, I think you can get a bow out of the wood.  I wouldn't push the limits as far as design goes.
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: Hillbilly on December 10, 2007, 01:24:51 pm
I would guess that the stave should still work, I've seen pics of osage bows with holes in the limbs big enough for a chickadee to fly through. I have some hic staves with bug holes, too and I've wondered the same thing. If you'll test one, then I won't have to  ;D ;D >:D ;D
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: DanaM on December 10, 2007, 01:30:57 pm
Paul, the hickory I got from Pappy had 2 small holes in it, I'm assuming there from bugs. They are closer to the handle but
I wouldn't let em worry me to much, make a bow if it blows on ya you can tell us all about your failure and we will have a pity party >:D
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: bjordnolf on December 10, 2007, 01:32:42 pm
I've made some hickory bows that were full of those little holes, its nothin to worry about.
thanks
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: cowboy on December 10, 2007, 02:44:51 pm
Sounds like we're a go thus far ;D. Damn bugs, hehe......I've done chased that one down beyond bow capabilities but have plenty more to choose from, and hey - that was by far the worse one. Maybe the rest will work - with a backing ;). I'll let ya'll know...thanks..
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: Lilmoosecountry on December 10, 2007, 03:17:14 pm
I'll try this one more time...
 Have some nice stave's of Hick (at least I hope I still do). Taking off the bark and sealing didn't prevent either checking or bugs ???. Anyway, I chased one down ten rings and still found a wormhole. What do ya'll think about a hick bow with a few small holes in the back? These bugs are tiny, the holes are about 1 mm in diameter, or is it all fire wood? Don't want to do a lot of work for nothing...
Sinew sounds like your cure. I think it would be better to over build than throw away. This late in the game
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: Kegan on December 10, 2007, 08:36:08 pm
I made a hatchet bow from a standing dead piece of wood a little while back- the back was RIDDLED with holes. I was suprised it held. Just bone down the back and you'll have a fine selfbow.
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: Pat B on December 11, 2007, 12:08:35 am
Super glue! ;D     Pat
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: david w. on December 11, 2007, 12:25:37 am
i read inTBB1 a linen backing was better at brute protection than sinew is
i would back it with that

Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: cowboy on December 11, 2007, 10:09:12 am
I'm thinking super glue (in the holes) and a nice deerhide backing, if she blows after that ya'll will be the first to know. Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Worm holes in Hickory
Post by: YewArcher on December 11, 2007, 01:43:43 pm
I have made several bows with holes well bored into the back. One even had a hole all the way through. The bows are all still shooting today. I am not sure if you can break a hickory bow!

SJM