Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: venisonburger on July 20, 2008, 07:31:07 pm

Title: Hemlock
Post by: venisonburger on July 20, 2008, 07:31:07 pm

I know hemlock is a soft wood, but after reading about sumac, tamarack, cedar and even pine, where would Upper michigan hemlock fall into the equation? I have a nice 6 foot hemlock thats drying, it is straight and had few branches on it. I plan on making it wide and backing with something. I haven't split it yet, but I think I'll split in half to start the drying process, I'm thinking if I split into staves right away, it will twist or develop cracks.
Now, does this wood have sap wood and heart wood? should I leave the sap wood on like people do on cedar?
Any one with info please give me some advice, either way I'm going to experiment with this wood but I'll take any advice I can get.
VB

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: Pat B on July 21, 2008, 12:39:11 am

I don't know if hemlock will make a bow. Like other conifers the upper side of a limb would probably your best choice. All of our hemlocks are dying out due to the Hemlock Wholly Adelgid, another invasive exotic pest.  >:(  I hate to see all those trees go to waste although nothing goes to waste in nature.      Pat

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: Hillbilly on July 21, 2008, 12:41:07 pm

VB, hemlock is really, really brittle wood, more so than most softwoods. I've always threatened to try one, but never have so far. If I were going to, I would make it long, and probably use a sapwood/heartwood mix like on a yew bow. I know that just from using hemlock wood for other things that when it breaks, it goes dramatically and explosively. The wood looks kinda like yew.

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: OldBow on July 21, 2008, 08:27:32 pm

Hemlock is one of my favorite general purposes woods because it is so millable. But It surely is too soft a wood to be used as a bow.

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: venisonburger on July 22, 2008, 01:23:29 am

Thanks for your input everyone.
VB

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: DanaM on July 22, 2008, 07:52:23 am

Try it anyway VB, I have a sumac bow and I always heard it was useless. Might want to wear a helmet, goggles and a cup though ;)

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: venisonburger on July 22, 2008, 11:57:41 pm

Yeah Dana, might as well, the wood is cut, it is from a tree that was taken down by another in a storm. I'll wear my bike helmet, but a cup? I don't even drink coffee
This weekend I'll split it in half so it can start drying.
VB

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: DanaM on July 23, 2008, 07:33:22 am

The other kind of cup Mark, ya know goes below the belt ::) ::) ;D

Only suggestion I can make is keep it long and maybe back it.

Title: Re: Hemlock
Post by: Staver on July 23, 2008, 11:33:34 pm

I usually use a very long cup and back it with rawhide!! :o  Sorry... couldn't resist  ;D  Joe H