Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Huaco on August 22, 2008, 12:48:47 pm

Title: Anybody have a stave
Post by: Huaco on August 22, 2008, 12:48:47 pm
Ok... So I think I just ended up chopping down that Flowering Dogwood as a good gesture for the old lady... It was pretty badly checked... I think I will save it though for various wood needs such as a knife handle or something.  Anyway, It made me feel good to get that tree down for the ol lady.

I am really wanting to get into bowyering.  Unfortunatly, at this point in my life I don't have much time or access to land to tromp around and look for saplings, or trees to produce a stave. 

 I don't really know what wood to ask for.  I know Osage is about the best... not sure if I want to start with that or something a bit less snaky! 

What would you fellas suggest a novice to start with?

Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: Pat B on August 22, 2008, 12:53:03 pm
Craig, I probably have something you could use. Let me see what I have and I'll send you a PM. ;)    Pat
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: El Destructo on August 22, 2008, 12:56:25 pm
Ok... So I think I just ended up chopping down that Flowering Dogwood as a good gesture for the old lady... It was pretty badly checked... I think I will save it though for various wood needs such as a knife handle or something.  Anyway, It made me feel good to get that tree down for the ol lady.

I am really wanting to get into bowyering.  Unfortunatly, at this point in my life I don't have much time or access to land to tromp around and look for saplings, or trees to produce a stave. 

What would you fellas suggest a novice to start with?



A Red Oak or Hickory Board from Home Depot.....Lowes or Mesnards....that would be a cheap purchase and a good learning experience too...
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: Huaco on August 22, 2008, 01:02:20 pm
Ok... So I think I just ended up chopping down that Flowering Dogwood as a good gesture for the old lady... It was pretty badly checked... I think I will save it though for various wood needs such as a knife handle or something.  Anyway, It made me feel good to get that tree down for the ol lady.

I am really wanting to get into bowyering.  Unfortunatly, at this point in my life I don't have much time or access to land to tromp around and look for saplings, or trees to produce a stave. 

What would you fellas suggest a novice to start with?



A Red Oak or Hickory Board from Home Depot.....Lowes or Mesnards....that would be a cheap purchase and a good learning experience too...
I tried this option about 1.5 yrs. ago.  After chasing the first complete ring and floor tillering, the bow turned out to be about 15 pound draw!  Maybe I just used the wrong technique.  It was a 1x2 6' long red oak... The fellas in HD wood department were looking at me strange.  I must have looked through 100 sticks to find "the one".
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: DanaM on August 22, 2008, 01:19:00 pm
No need to chase a ring on a board bow :o Find a board with the straightest grain and back it with linen or silk, easy as pie :)
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: El Destructo on August 22, 2008, 01:23:18 pm
Ditto what Dana said...and I always try to find Edged or Biased Cut wood....and then Back it or not....it will hold up....
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: Huaco on August 22, 2008, 02:33:36 pm
No need to chase a ring on a board bow :o Find a board with the straightest grain and back it with linen or silk, easy as pie :)

I read up on how to back with silk... My question is, what kind of silk and where do I get it? 

Can I just run down to the local fabric store and pick out any silk, or does it need to be unbleached/natural stuff?

Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: DanaM on August 22, 2008, 02:38:08 pm
I think any silk will work, I've always used linen and yea I buy it at the fabric store.

In case you haven't seen it check out Jawge's site lots of info on board bows.

http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/archer.html
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: sailordad on August 22, 2008, 11:31:45 pm
i have heard on here that he silk will need to be cut a certain way to retain its strength though,one way it pulls apart fairly easy,the other not so easy.


good luck



                                                             tim
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: mullet on August 23, 2008, 06:54:41 pm
  I buy my silk at the fabric store also. I like the unbleached. When you cut it just cut it so the threads ar running the length of the bow. I usually glue it down with TB3.
Title: Re: Anybody have a stave
Post by: shamus on August 24, 2008, 11:25:17 am
Talk to your local tree trimmer.

Tell him what you need and offer to buy the logs from him. You can get them for a decent price. I got a few hickory logs for $20
apiece a few years ago.