Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: toomanyknots on January 24, 2014, 02:46:39 pm

Title: Twisty cores?
Post by: toomanyknots on January 24, 2014, 02:46:39 pm
Well blood wood for me never wants to stay straight. It always twists like a barbers pole right off the first cut. But I always wanted to try it as a core, as it seems most everyone else uses it as a core (in english longbows). I ripped some out recently, it is a bit twisted but not absolutely horrid. I mean, it ain't ideal either though. But I was wondering what a twisty core might do to a bow once it is glued up and tillered out? I am thinking of using it in a triliam english longbow as a core, maybe 5/16" or so thick in the middle, tapered to 1/8" or so maybe at the tips. For the life of me, blood wood does not want to stay straight.
Title: Re: Twisty cores?
Post by: BOWMAN53 on January 24, 2014, 02:52:27 pm
i would think that once its sandwhiched between to pieces it wouldnt make a difference. but im horrible with glue ups so i wouldnt know anything of use.
Title: Re: Twisty cores?
Post by: toomanyknots on January 24, 2014, 05:08:22 pm
i would think that once its sandwhiched between to pieces it wouldnt make a difference. but im horrible with glue ups so i wouldnt know anything of use.

Shoot, I'm sure you ain't no worse than me,  :). I'm wondering if the internal stress of gluing up the bow with the core that is wanting to twist will come out during tillering the bow?
Title: Re: Twisty cores?
Post by: Pat B on January 24, 2014, 05:09:08 pm
You might try to straighten it out a bit before glue-up by clamping it to a form and heating it up. I know tropical woods don't manipulate well to heat but it might help some.
Title: Re: Twisty cores?
Post by: toomanyknots on January 24, 2014, 05:29:37 pm
You might try to straighten it out a bit before glue-up by clamping it to a form and heating it up. I know tropical woods don't manipulate well to heat but it might help some.

I haven't thought of that yet. That would be nice if it works. I would love to use blood wood as a core, just because it is so pretty. In reality it is dense and oily, it probably sucks performance wise. Maybe I should use it as a belly instead?