Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 12:23:43 pm

Title: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 12:23:43 pm
I've got a bow I'm working on with knots that are dead on the back and live on the belly.   My thought would be to drill out carefully the dead and live both.   It seems that me the remaining grain would be the same as if it was all dead removed.   I like the see through look and I think it would simplify things.    2nd opinion?
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: blackhawk on August 27, 2015, 12:28:36 pm
Got some pics? What kind of wood?

Hard to say going in blind with vague info ..but ive done it with no ill effects with osage
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 01:09:52 pm
Osage
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 02:56:50 pm
 :D
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 02:57:25 pm
Oh geeze of course they load sideways
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: LittleBen on August 27, 2015, 04:19:28 pm
I've never done it, but looks like you left plenty of extra meat around that knot to eliminate any concern. I'd drill that bad boy out! Probably will just take longer than pushing out a dead branch because you will have to clean up the inside of the hole on the belly side. Again I've never tried but my suspicion is that's it not difficult, just more time consuming.
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 04:25:57 pm
1/4" bit and a chainsaw file will make short work of it I think.
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: LittleBen on August 27, 2015, 04:28:23 pm
Really looking forward to seeing this one completed.
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 27, 2015, 04:31:52 pm
You can dig just a bit out and leave it be, fill with thin super glue or drill it out. Any of those will work fine.
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 04:37:27 pm
Good deal.  I LOVE holes in my bows.  I can't wait to finish it and see the look on the faces of the wheelie shooters at the range!  I just wish there was more snake in this one too >:D >:D >:D
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 27, 2015, 04:39:53 pm
You left enough around the knot to equal the width of the rest of the limb, that's all that matters.
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 27, 2015, 05:44:24 pm
Osage has been a good teacher as far as following the grain.
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: Pappy on August 28, 2015, 04:58:09 am
I usually dig them out with some small carving tools but I guess drilling would work if you are careful, by digging[yes it takes a little longer] I can follow the grain right down into the whole, drilling would seem more like a worm whole. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: Selfbowman on August 28, 2015, 09:58:21 am
I have done as pappy said before. Guys I have tried a couple of times to make the limb work -bend and work on a big knot. Every time the limb wants to or does split at middle of knot length wise from center of knot. Has anyone had success with this. I love those kind of character bows but I don't like hand shock. I have built some bows you can drop a half dollar thru  that have good cast but too much shock. Succjestions.   Arvin
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 28, 2015, 10:03:49 am
In the past, I've left them and shot it with superglue.
It is crucial to tiller leaving the knot flat. It should not bend as much as the rest of the limb.
Jawge
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: Pappy on August 28, 2015, 10:09:56 am
If you make the limb accordingly wider to the area you took out the limb weight shouldn't be any different.  :) I do usually leave it a bit stiffer through the knot area. :) I have had some split like you asked about but normally if I am careful and follow the growth ring and grain down into the knot which is sometimes very tedious I have no problem. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: Selfbowman on August 28, 2015, 02:27:08 pm
Ok Jawge I will accept that an quit tring ! Bows with big knots have shock and don't try to bend the knot and you won't have a patch on it which adds weight and shock. Lol thanks George. Arvin
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 28, 2015, 05:32:58 pm
Selfbowman, I haven't noticed bows with knots having much more shock but I've broken bows including osage when I've neglected to leave the knotted are a bit stiff. Jawge
Title: Re: Live knots
Post by: E. Jensen on August 28, 2015, 05:45:04 pm
I dont understand how knots cause hand shock