Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: osage outlaw on December 08, 2014, 09:32:13 pm
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I've been noticing a few new aches and pains when working on bow stuff recently. In a couple of days I'll be on the downhill slope to 40 ;D I thought it was time I found an easier way to remove the sapwood off of osage staves. I tried using my band saw but I usually get the blade in a bind and ruin it. On some staves I am able to split off the sapwood and a couple of rings, but most of the time I use a draw knife to clean them up. I did some research and decided to try out a chainsaw disc for an angle grinder. Its a Lancelot 14 tooth blade. I ordered it from the big auction site for less than $40 delivered. It arrived today and I tested it out. It took just a few seconds to put it on my angle grinder. You can resharpen it just like a normal chainsaw blade.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Snapbucket/374DB1F6.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Snapbucket/4C1F33C6.jpg)
It worked great. It ate through the sapwood with ease. I timed myself on a 27" long section of the stave. It was 3"-3.5" wide. I removed the sapwood and enough heartwood to get the worm tunnels out in 3.5 minutes. I'm pretty sure I could clean up an average stave in under 10 minutes. And I won't be feeling it in my shoulders or elbows tomorrow ;) I looked the stave over and I think I stayed within one thick ring. I'll seal it up and wait to chase a ring on it when I'm ready to make a bow.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC17066.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC17084.jpg)
I'll be using this outside from now on. It sure throws the shavings everywhere!
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC17067.jpg)
When I was looking around at the mess I had made I noticed this gal hanging onto the garage door above my head.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC17061.jpg)
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that should save you some work
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I think it will Bubby. Thanks for the late night shopping help ;)
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I know a guy at Tennessee Valley Manufacturing that roughs out flintlock rifle stocks outa $300+ curly maple blanks with one of them angry beavers!
With a little practice, you might come close to chasing a ring with one of them, Clint!
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Nice!
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Poor Baby! Getting close to forty! I remember how that felt a little over thirty years ago.😝
So no sympathy on that score, but I do thank you for sharing that discovery. I have an angle grinder and will pick one of those up when I get some of the yaller wood in house. I will be more circumspect in how deep I go with it--due to my experience level--but it should be a real help. I am having enough fun right now, removing 1/8 inch of belly from an oak board bow to not realize what shaving off more than an inch from a stave must be like--being as I am on the downhill slope to seventy. 😊
Best regards,
Russ
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Pretty cool! But be careful, I use angle grinders all the time at work and it's only a matter of time before it will skip/catch on you. Wire wheels and abrasive cut off wheels will mess you up. Can only imagine how much damage that would do. No such thing as a minor chain saw accident
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On second thought, what Paul says rings true. I would imagine it takes some significant forearm control on that puppy. And all joking about age aside, I am not the man I used to be.
(Forget the fact that I was never the man I thought I was!)
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Thanks for the warning Paul. I was a little leery of if kicking back on me at first. It never did though. I made nice easy swipes pulling it back towards me and it cut very smooth. I think it will be fine as long as I don't get stupid with it. Probably like most tools, a little common sense goes a long way.
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Have had one for years, quick, but scary! :)
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Probably like most tools, a little common sense goes a long way.
Aaaaaand that is why I'm not allowed power tools.
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Your right clint. Leave the handle on and keep 2 hands on it.
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The directions said to rotate the guard to a certain position. They were very clear on this. I figured it was for a good reason so I set it exactly as they suggested. No way would I try to use it with only one hand.
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I've had one of those in the shop for years, only used it a few times. It kinda scares the crap out of me. On mine the chain is "loose" in between two plates so it's just a bit of friction that gets it going. I think that helps with kickback too. Can you move the chain when you've locked the spindle?
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It does move. That is listed as a safety feature.
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Never used one of those seen em plenty but they look scary as hell. I might have to try it out someday.
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>:D
Those things are evil. Be super careful. I have a mate who does a lot of carving of big pieces. He uses one of these things for rough out and it has kicked back on him before.
Rotary tools are similar but a bit safer! I use them on risers.
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Hey Paul, should I send him my chaimail suit to wear? :D
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I have wondered how those work. Might have to pony up and get one. I'm on the downhill side to 40 too, I have less than 4 years left.
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I bought a similar tool 25 years ago when I was osage cutting crazy, still have it but don't use it anymore. I would clamp a piece of wood on my shave horse, sit in a lawn chair with my elbows supported on my knees for control and hog off sapwood.
The reason I quit using it was; I could get the sapwood off pretty quickly, probably 15 minutes a stave but it would take me 30 minutes or more to clean up all the grinder cuts on the back of a stave so I was back to square one.
I bandsaw or split the bark and sapwood off now. Bottom line, there are no really good shortcuts for this process.
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Im not sure time as much as imminent pain is important to Clint.
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Exactly Pearly. Bad shoulders run in the family. My mom, gandpa, and uncle have all had shoulder replacement surgery. My grandpa died from blood clots after his operation. If I can find a way to avoid future problems I'm all for it.
Eric, When I remove the sapwood with a draw knife I rough it off and don't pay much attention to staying with a clean ring on back. I seal it up and store it away. When I'm ready to make a bow I have to go down a ring or two anyway. I don't see much difference in using the grinder. I look at it as only having to use a draw knife on a stave one time instead of two.
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I understand, I am setting up the surgery date on my right shoulder tomorrow, a couple rotator cuff tears and a spur poking down in my tendon. In my case it is work/gym injuries and old age.
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I am only allowed to use a hatchet,, :(
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I'm going to try to get me one of those log debarkers that mounts on your chainsaw bar.
By the way I'm on the down hill slide to 40 myself. You guy's are sure making it hard for me to want to get out of bed this Thursday morning! I'll be 36, and I've really felt the getting older stuff this year for sure. Patrick
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I have been using something similar for years, an arbortech attachment for an angle grinder. I have chased rings staying at least one ring away from the intended ring. I mainly use it for carving bowls, and dishing out seats for chairs. One of the more dangerous tools for sure and demands plenty of respect.
If your not already doing so use plenty of protection like a good face mask for dust, a face shield for eyes and muffs for your ears. Green wood isn't too bad, but the dry stuff can really mess up your lungs, sinuses.
Arbortech has an adjustable polycarbonate shroud that encloses the blade, so only the minimal exposed area of the blade shows, makes the process a bit safer.
Hamish.
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The tool I mentioned is an Arbortech.
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I'd have totally broke that new blade in on that frickin spider!!!!! :o yuckkkkk!
Enjoy the new toy and be careful
Yeah on the 40 part, I feel for ya- I'm counting the days and almost to single digits, I'm not ready for it!
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Clint thats the same one I have , I use it to debark and remove sapwood but I dont do very well following rings with it
on some staves I can switch the grinder to 36 grit sandpaper and do I decent job except around character areas
Norton makes sanding discs with holes in them so you can kinda see where you are at as you go
I also had a special adz made up for chasing rings so I can swing with the wrist rather than pull with the shoulder it works good as a scraper also around knots and such
Take care of yourself hope to see ya soon !