Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Del the cat on May 01, 2017, 09:43:14 am

Title: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: Del the cat on May 01, 2017, 09:43:14 am
This came from a Laburnum (Golden Chain Tree) that died in our garden... the two halves have been starin' at me for years darin' me to try and make 'em into bows.
Having just finished a Yew ELB I was at a loose end so I've roughed 'em down a tad... and then a bit more and maybe I can see a bow in there.
This stuff is hard as nails after working Yew.
It has some nice even deflex, so maybe it's askin to have the tips gently reflexed.
Don't see any obvious problems  ::) :o
BTW the chalk line is the centre of the stave.
Del :)
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Stoker on May 01, 2017, 09:54:16 am
Isn't that what Simon used for his hollow limb bow
Thanks Leroy
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Benedikt on May 01, 2017, 09:55:27 am
Good luck!
Laburnum is one of the best bow woods!
You actually could have left the spawood on ;)
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Del the cat on May 01, 2017, 10:42:09 am
Good luck!
Laburnum is one of the best bow woods!
You actually could have left the sapwood on ;)
The sapwood looked a bit rough.
I have used it before ages ago on a primitive crossbow.
Del
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: BowEd on May 01, 2017, 12:07:27 pm
Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Del the cat on May 01, 2017, 12:09:53 pm
Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.
Knot? Wotnot? ;)
I've sharpened my tools and it's cutting a bit easier now, feels a bit like Osage.
Del
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: DC on May 01, 2017, 12:27:20 pm
You going to take another shot at shooting through the hole :D
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: bjrogg on May 01, 2017, 12:28:23 pm
Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.
Knot? Wotnot? ;)
I've sharpened my tools and it's cutting a bit easier now, feels a bit like Osage.
Del
[/quote
I thought that was going to be center shoot arrow hole. Can't wait to see what you come up with Del. I'm sure it'll be interesting.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: BowEd on May 01, 2017, 12:39:49 pm
Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.
Knot? Wotnot? ;)
I've sharpened my tools and it's cutting a bit easier now, feels a bit like Osage.
Del
I've never worked laburnum but one thing I do know feeling like osage with carving tools and being osage are 2 different things.I've seen it written that it was an outstanding wood though.
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Del the cat on May 01, 2017, 12:46:42 pm
I'm not planning on shooting through the hole... but then I'm not actually doing much planning at all ::)
Just keep noodling away at it and see what it turns into! :BB
Del
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: bjrogg on May 01, 2017, 12:53:52 pm
Love it when something that's not a plan comes together. I'm sure it will be interesting Del even if it's a video of you falling backwards as it blows up on the tree.lol. Just don't hurt yourself. My money is on shooting through the hole though.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: simson on May 01, 2017, 01:28:38 pm
That is a nice looking stave Mr. Cat!
How longis it and how thick is the sap? Use the sap only if it is 100% intact! and max 1/3 sap 2/3 heart.

I would definitely flipp or better recurve it, leaving a non bendy handle including the knot.

Good luck on your project, let's see what you're doing!
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Del the cat on May 01, 2017, 02:52:00 pm
The stave is 62"
I have the stave from the other half which is cleaner and nicely reflexed :)
I'll certainly let you all know how it turns out...
Del
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: wizardgoat on May 01, 2017, 03:14:38 pm
I recently cut some laburnum, I can't wait to get into it.
I found a large grove under a highway overpass, but only found a few worth cutting.
Such nice looking wood
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: upstatenybowyer on May 01, 2017, 07:21:53 pm
I've always wanted to try this wood. A guy down the street had a really nice tree with a few straight branches. I always drooled over it on the way to work. One day on the way back from work, the entire thing was cut into 16" logs on the side of the street! (A) I've never seen another Laburnum tree around here since.  :(
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave
Post by: Del the cat on May 02, 2017, 02:27:42 am
I've always wanted to try this wood. A guy down the street had a really nice tree with a few straight branches. I always drooled over it on the way to work. One day on the way back from work, the entire thing was cut into 16" logs on the side of the street! (A) I've never seen another Laburnum tree around here since.  :(
Yeah, seen good Yew cut up like that... make you feel sick that some idiot with a chainsaw doesn't appreciate wood.
Del
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: Del the cat on May 09, 2017, 11:12:20 am
Damn, it exploded, clean break mid limb. I'd got it to about 45# at 23" looking real pretty too ::)
There ya go.
Del
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: DC on May 09, 2017, 11:16:53 am
I wonder if the "died in our garden" had anything to do with it.
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: bjrogg on May 09, 2017, 11:21:37 am
Dang from pictures that looks a little punkie inside in that spot.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: simson on May 09, 2017, 12:04:46 pm
Such clean breaks is from not intact sapwood, the fungus already captered it!
Sorry for that.
Be sure on the other half, or remove all the sap to be save.
Good luck on the other!
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: leonwood on May 09, 2017, 12:40:17 pm
Oh no, sorry to see that! I was really looking forward to this one, lookked so nice already!
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: upstatenybowyer on May 09, 2017, 04:11:17 pm
Was it a nice explosion? >:D
Title: Re: Laburnum Stave... exploded
Post by: BowEd on May 10, 2017, 02:48:32 pm
I'm sure it happened fast with a break like that.No pre warn ticking.It was worth a try though.