Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Sagebrush on April 28, 2020, 12:10:12 pm

Title: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: Sagebrush on April 28, 2020, 12:10:12 pm

Hey guys.  I am working my way into some tri lam bows and I have maple and walnut for a few cores.  I also have access to some beautiful tight grained Alaskan yellow cedar.  Is this too light for a core lam?  It has made some wicked arrow shafts.  Thanks for your thoughts.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: PatM on April 28, 2020, 12:26:01 pm

I've heard of it being used as a core in glassed  longbows.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: simk on April 28, 2020, 01:57:35 pm

i have used larch between yew and ash once. but only around 40# - not sure if its strong enough for higher stressed bows - shear strength is not the best with those woods...

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: Hamish on April 28, 2020, 03:22:10 pm

Harrison, a glass bowyer did some experiments with softwood(not yew though, yew is good) for cores. They shot well but didn't have the durability of hardwoods or bamboo. Apparently the softwoods work hardened. I can't remember if they failed in shear, though it sounds likely.

Walnut and maple are durable core woods in shear stress. Walnut is prettier.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: Bryce on April 29, 2020, 12:43:27 am

I wouldn’t use yellow cedar for anything other than carving masks and bentwood boxes.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: BowEd on April 29, 2020, 10:06:38 am

I generally like using denser wood for cores.Although I've got friends that use red cedar as a core for FG bows with success all because the wood is so pretty.I've seen lower density elm and black walnut get crushed before.Could be design flaw though too.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: bownarra on April 29, 2020, 12:06:09 pm

Stick with the maple and walnut - both are perfect core woods.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: Sagebrush on April 29, 2020, 09:09:04 pm

Thanks for your responses!  I figured it would be a bit soft for heavy bows.  Bryce do you not even like it for arrows???  My friend has literally a ton of planks from a salvaged Columbia river tree.  The arrows I've made over the last week are stupid strait and just a bit lighter spined than port orford cedar of the same diameter.  Again thanks guys.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: DC on April 30, 2020, 09:44:54 am

It's a nice wood for a lot of things. I love the smell but some people hate it.

Title: Re: Alaskan yellow cedar core lam
Post by: Bryce on May 01, 2020, 08:52:31 pm

Quote from: Sagebrush on April 29, 2020, 09:09:04 pm

Thanks for your responses!  I figured it would be a bit soft for heavy bows.  Bryce do you not even like it for arrows???  My friend has literally a ton of planks from a salvaged Columbia river tree.  The arrows I've made over the last week are stupid strait and just a bit lighter spined than port orford cedar of the same diameter.  Again thanks guys.

Would be okay for kids shafts