Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TurtleCreek on December 09, 2011, 03:08:38 pm
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I will be heading out later today in search for a sapling or two suitable to make a bow/bows out of. I want to seal the ends as soon as I cut them so here's my "stupid" idea- I plan on taking a wax crayon to rub over the cut ends and then melting that with a lighter to seal it. Will that do the trick?
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don't know if that will work, but it seems like if wax works, it would be easier to melt a candle over it.
Tattoo Dave
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I could try that too.... Just looking for a way to immediately seal the ends as it's a little too cold up here to use any type of urethane or shellac outside.
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A lot of guys dip the ends in melted wax, but you'll need a heat source. When it's cold, I just use spray latex primer.
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I just bring a tube of glue allong with me it would still take some time to dry in the cold but I dont see it being a big issue? I have never tried wax but have heard of others using it. Let us know how it works seems like a good alternative in cold weather, but again I have never tried it?
Josh
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I just buy a gallon of the cheapest deck sealer I can find and dip the whole end in. Or, cut them extra long and dont worry about sealing it at all.
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I'll be hiking back in quite a distance and thought this would be a good idea that I could just fit in my pocket as I don't want to carry too much stuff with me.. The wife will be tagging along for a photo expedition and we'll be taking her vehicle, I figured the wax method would be a better option as it would set and dry better in cold weather. If I used glue and got any of that on the seats or floor of her vehicle, I might as well just stay in the woods and live there for a few years!
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I'll be hiking back in quite a distance and thought this would be a good idea that I could just fit in my pocket as I don't want to carry too much stuff with me.. The wife will be tagging along for a photo expedition and we'll be taking her vehicle, I figured the wax method would be a better option as it would set and dry better in cold weather. If I used glue and got any of that on the seats or floor of her vehicle, I might as well just stay in the woods and live there for a few years!
;D
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What exactly are you cutting and what diameter? With most whitewoods you should have enough time to get it to your vehicle and get it to your garage where it'll be warm enough for using shellac or glues etc....I've done this before n once when I was concerned about it I just got some gooey mud and covered the ends,and that kept it fine till I got home.
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I would be looking for elm or hickory saplings 2 to 3 inches across
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I just cut a log that's a few inches longer than I need, so that I can cut the ends off when I get ready to make a bow. It's rare for checks to affect wood more than an inch or two from the end of a stave or log, at least in my experience.
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Elm n hickory will be fine till you get it home. Leave the crayons at home for the kids to play with...lol :laugh:
And I as well always cut a few inches above and below of the best useable length stave in a tree/sapling. ;)
Now go on n get out there >:D
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I always thought wax on the ends would be easy to damage or break off on the trip out of the woods and to the house. Never tried it so I don't know for sure.
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I just use a bottle of elmer's glue, just like the kind we use to eat in grade school :D
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Melt chocolate over the ends... at least you can give it a crafty lick on the way back if you get hungry ::).
Del
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With little to no sap in the tree right now the odds of those ends doing anything in the next few months are slim to none.
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I wouldn't worry about it until I got back home. Cut them long and never seal the ends. A bottle of cheap wood glue(Elmers, etc) will seal lots of 3" saplings and wouldn't be difficult to carry.
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I agree with you there PearlDrums. I cut some 3'' diameter staves about 3 weeks ago in the freezing pouring rain.
I brought them inside, peeled the bark off and they have been in 75' temp since and no checking what so ever.
I have to wonder if it is better to harvest wood for bows in the winter, rather than spring or summer.
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good idea Del.... Maybe a snickers bar melted and coating the ends. I hear the caramel and nougat are good at preventing checks:)
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You can brush on some poly when you get back to your house. Jawge
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Ive used string wax before so I'm sure that will work. The ends don't have to be sealed solid just slow down the moisture loss. I've also used spray paint a lot. I cut my staves longer easer to add reflex while green and if there 4 or 5 inchs to long. I don't even bother just cut them off when your ready to start. If the woods where you have to follow a ring it's much better to see the ring also.
BOW JUNKIE on woods that you remove the bark and sap wood removeing alows the moisture to excape evenly. Where you leave the bark on more moister has to go out the ends. Sealing pervents this.
I do cut my staves in the winter now. When younger and could'nt wait I've cut a lot in the summer. Never really could tell the difference in proformance. There is a differnce in drying time. Now I do cut all my staves in the winter only because thats when I love being out and about. Plus it's my down time between buck season and gobbler season.