Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Knotty on May 30, 2016, 01:21:24 pm
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Hello once again fellow Bowyers!
Today I visited my grandparent's house, and found an old piece of furniture entirely made out of a Brazilian Hardwood (Probably Jatobá, Pau Ferro or Ipê) ..
I was wondering if any of you ever transformed wood furniture into a bow?
It's a strange idea, I Know, but since it's seasoned and sealed wood (with a coat of finishing) I'm sure it'd make a good bow if backed with Bamboo.
Please let me know!
Pictures follow:
http://prntscr.com/ba9taa
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http://prntscr.com/ba9vgs
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I personally would not destroy a perfectly good piece of furniture to build a bow. There should be other sources of bow wood around like shipping pallets, etc.
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You're right @Pat B , however this furniture was supposed to be thrown away long ago and somehow I managed to save it in a different non-used room.
Since it has pretty much no use I thought of doing something with it, but I totally understand your point of view!
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Yeah, in the age of cheap Ikea furniture finding such nice pieces is quite rare. I would leave the furniture alone. Besides, you can't be sure about the grain in that furniture; you might not be able to make a bow from that.
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Heck, I'd give it a shot. You don't have any other use for it and it's not like you're cutting up an antique roll top desk. ;D
If nothing else, you'd get some nice handle wood for wood lam bows.
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@Strichev , it's either going in the firewood pile or in the trash soooo I'll try to get some use out of it.
@GB I agree, never tried making lams but I've been thinking about it for quite some time, we'll see what happens.
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Is there any chance that you could find a supplier who has Argentine Osage Orange (some call it Fustic)? That's premium bow wood.
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Hey @GB , I have never heard of that wood species before,
And after doing a quick research I came up with the popular name "Madeira Taiuva"
Here in Brazil it's used to build house roof structures as it's very dense and resistant to rotting and different types of "pests".
Back to your question, since I never heard of it, I'm assuming it can't be found where I live currently, however, I could look in a few Lumberyards who could eventually get it for me from other regions..
I'll be quite busy this week but as soon as I can, I'll probably look after this wood and perhaps I'll let you know!
Feel free to PM me if you'd like to know anything else 👍
PS: Here's a picture of the pieces used for building rood structures
http://www.zun.com.br/fotos/2012/01/Madeiras-para-telhado.jpg
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If it's the same species and you can get it for a decent price as lumber, you'll have a nice supply of superior bow wood.
Here it is on the Wood Database:
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/argentine-osage-orange/
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@GB great! Thanks for your help 😊
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Call me a sentimental, old fool, Knotty.
I've kept some furniture from my parents and have had to sell or giveaway other pieces. I wish I could have kept it all.
So, no, I've never transformed furniture into a bow.
Jawge
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I've made a bow from an Ipe Bar railing. My wife's cousin builds bars for commercial buildings out of Ipe and they cut this piece wrong.
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@George Tsoukalas , nah man, I totally respect your point of view.
I guess I'm not that attached to things as others may be! 😏
@mullet , great! Finally the reply I was waiting for! Lol