Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: ricktrojanowski on May 11, 2008, 07:57:43 am

Title: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: ricktrojanowski on May 11, 2008, 07:57:43 am

My family is cleaning out my Grandfathers house who recently passed away.  In the corner of the basement I found a really straight, ERC post about 5' tall, about 7" diameter with the bark still on.  All of the posts in the cellar are ERC.  I'm guessing this was one they took out or was not used in the building of the house.  The house is over 100 years old.  Do you think this is wood it too old?  It looks like it has very few knots, and no bug damage that I can see.

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: DanaM on May 11, 2008, 09:36:25 am

use it rick, man what away to remember your grandfather :)

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: 1/2primitive on May 11, 2008, 10:43:04 am

Ditto.
    Sean

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: ricktrojanowski on May 11, 2008, 11:02:40 am

I hope to make a shootable bow out of it for sure.  I think I'll  back it with something to be safe. 

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: Minuteman on May 11, 2008, 11:14:35 am

I'd use some medium thick rawhide for the backing. 100 years is some old wood.

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: salad days on May 11, 2008, 11:16:13 am

I love my gandpa's bow. Making one out of your grandpa's house is next level!!!

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: sailordad on May 11, 2008, 11:27:25 am

i was thinking of bamboo backing myself,you can keep it real thin and still get great protection and performance.

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: welch2 on May 11, 2008, 12:21:58 pm

I vote for sinew ,it's a special piece of wood . and cedar loves sinew .

Ralph

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: Pat B on May 11, 2008, 12:29:10 pm

Go for it. grandpa knew what he was doing when he left it there.  ;)  I would go with a raw hide backing like Chris said or possibly sinew like Ralph(if you have worked with sinew before) but I believe boo would possible be too overpowering. With a stave you want to follow the back contour and rawhide and sinew follow that bill.
   Enjoy the process and listen to what Grandpa has to say as you make his bow.  8)        Pat

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: DBernier on May 11, 2008, 05:13:25 pm

Rick, I would go with the rawhide or sinew also. Bamboo is a bit unpredictable in that even carefull sanding/scraping on the back will not insure you will not pull up a splinter. I have found if the bow is longer than 66" the likelyhood of lifting a splinter is diminished slightly. Love the look of the boo on the back though.

Dick

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: jamie on May 12, 2008, 12:23:42 am

if ya want sinew ive got some ya can have for it rick. peace

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: Coo-wah-chobee on May 12, 2008, 01:08:29 am

Like welch2 said....bob

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: George Tsoukalas on May 12, 2008, 01:49:52 am

Wow! What a way to honor your Grandfather's memory. Jawge

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: ricktrojanowski on May 12, 2008, 06:31:06 pm

Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate the encouragement.  I debarked it yesterday, and spit it in half.  Never having worked with ERC I am concerned with its "brittleness" . It seems sooooo dry, light and brittle.  Is this the case with cedar? 
 

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: jamie on May 12, 2008, 07:48:01 pm

yup. it does make a hell of a bow though. you want that sinew ill put it aside for ya

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: mullet on May 12, 2008, 09:36:11 pm

  I'll give you a word of advice. If it was me I'd reduce it down and don't flex it at all. Take it down to what you think is floor tiller and back it with sinew. Once it has cured then I would start flexing and shaving the wood to tiller and target wieght. Cedar will blow floor tillering before other wood will and there is no warning. I bet very old dry wood will do it quicker. Take it slow, a little at a time. Just my two cents worth.

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: ricktrojanowski on May 12, 2008, 10:13:57 pm

Jamie- I got some sinew but could always use more so I'll gladly take you up on the offer.  I'll bring the wood to Ct so you can check it out.
Mullet thanks for the advice, I'll definitely take it slow.

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: jamie on May 12, 2008, 10:44:15 pm

i'll put it aside for ya its yours

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: ricktrojanowski on May 13, 2008, 07:00:18 am

Thanks Jamie, I'll bring it along.  I'd like to pick your brain on it a bit,  I don't want too mess this one up.

Title: Re: 100 year old Eastern Red Cedar
Post by: Stickhead on May 13, 2008, 10:35:50 am

My two cents is to keep it wide and thick when you first reduce it.  ERC is very light, and you'll need more wood than with other types like Osage.  Also, I think it's ideal to keep some sapwood for the back and heartwood for the belly, if possible.  The sapwood takes tension better, and the heartwood is better for compression.