Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Ryan Jacob on April 20, 2019, 07:46:48 am
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So I went to get a stave two days ago and I’m almost done debarking it. It currently 68” long and about 2.6” at its widest and 2” at its narrowest point. It’s only kinda snakey until your reach the dog leg. This piece is strange in that it’s mostly heartwood and denser than any other pieces I’ve used. If only it were straighter. Should I go with a flat bow or perhaps a Manny-type bow?
https://imgur.com/a/IoH06wd
P.S I also need help uploading pics properly
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Really wish I could help Ryan. I've got nothing though. Never even seen that type of wood.
Bjrogg
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Oh yeah, it’s guava by the way
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I've only worked guava once with a stave Mammy sent me and I made a flat bow from that. Is there enough wood to remove the dog leg? If so, I'd do that to start with.
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well I agree remove the dog leg,,
I have not worked with that wood so hoping I can give advice that will apply,,
seems like you will have to go with what the stave will give,,,
if you need it longer as you tiller,, then splice extensions,,
not sure how that wood does with sinew ,, but that might be an option if you are going to make a bow shorter than expected,,
also bend in the handle might be good,,
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PatB
Cuting the dogleg off would give me 55-6 inches which would be enough for a bendy handle. I might go with that if it’s absolutely necessary. Only thing is that it might throw the tips out of alignment.
bradsmith2010
I’ll take what I can get. But, I can’t do splices because there isn’t any good glue here. Sinew doesn’t agree with the climate either.
I just tested an end cut and it sinks in water. I hope that’s a good thing. I knew I should’ve cut some black palm instead. If I do decide to keep the dogleg, Im gonna need LOTS of help along the way while tillering.
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I don't remember if I had to use heat to correct the stave I had, I don't think I did. The wood is strong and heavy and some of Manny's bows were incredibly crooked and still worked well for him.
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https://imgur.com/a/IoH06wd
P.S I also need help uploading pics properly
When you go to copy the code use the one under “Linked BB” then just copy and paste in the topic font window
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that would give you a 25 inch draw with bendy handle,,
that is enough for nice power stroke,,
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Never worked that wood so not much I can add, but on the pics. An alternative...a free program called Gimp. I and some others use it. Simple to use. Open the program, drag and drop in the pic. Click scale image. A pop up window opens with the dimensions of the pic currently. In the window type in 900 by 1200 (that's what I choose for size). Now go to File and choose export. Add the ext .jpg to the file name. Hit export and another pop up opens. click the box that lets you preview the size. Now just slide the dial until you are under 200 kb. hit export and your done. Picture ready for PA.
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Thanks for all the inputs aboutthe bow and the help with pics. I think I’m gonna let the wood dry out a bit more before I cut anything off. Hard to put wood back on.
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Keep an eye on the stave. If it start's checking you may have to expose the belly to let some moisture out. If you knew which side would be your bow you could reduce the belly to floor tiller stage without harming it. Then bind it to a 2x4 or other form so it will dry without twisting or warping.
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I would honestly look for another stave or cut 3ft worth of the cleanest wood, cut in half with a bandsaw and splice it. It would be calling it close since it is not all that thick either. Another thing with guava is that there is no need to remove the bark. It will pop off without any repercussions as you tiller. It is flaky stuff and doesn't cling to the sap wood and tear out fibres. It will do more damage than good trying to remove the bark from a stave like that. It takes guava a long time to dry and I am not sure why this is. On the plus side, it doesn't check or twist while drying, but you'll need to give it well over a year in your climate before getting to work on it. Do you have crepe myrtle there? It is pretty much identical to guava in working properties and the tree itself looks incredibly similar as well. It also makes a good bow and is significantly easier to find a clean stave from if you are having trouble finding a good guava stave.
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Limbit
I’ve got neither a bandsaw nor good glues here. Found out the hard way that hide glue doesn’t dry for squat here. Ants just love to eat it too. I’m debarking it because I don’t want any grubs in the wood. The last time I left the bark on, it was infested in 2 weeks. I got no crepe myrtle here either. If I had better wood, I would use it, but the black palm wouldn’t fit in the van and both my tamarinds have bee hives, allergic. Also, I’m not asking to much from the wood. I can’t pull much past 40# anymore due to lack of practice and injuries.
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If it won’t make a bow, I’ll just chuck it in the burn pile by the way, got neither the ability nor permission to trade, no point in spending time on a failed project.
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Try to cleave it, you need to split it in order to work it so you'll have to cleave it at some point, also it will reduce any chance of shakes developing. How well it cleaves, or not, will show you exactly what you have to work with.
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Ryan,, it will make a bow,, just take your time and you will get it shooting,,
I suggest taking the easy way ,,,( really no easy in bow making)
the dog leg is gonna add another issue you really dont need,, just cut it off and start to tiller what you have,, simple bend in handle,, when you get a better stave make a longer bow,,
I am 6 ft tall,, I shoot bout 25 inch draw,, accurately,,, once you get used to it,, no problem,,
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So I cut the dogleg off right, now when I split the stave, guess what was on the other end... GRUBS. Thankfully they’re far enough out towards the tips that they’ll be removable but it’s definitely gonna limit the bow to 34ish pounds of draw. Luckily, that’s all I can pull right now.
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stay positive,, glad you got rid of the grubs,, :-M
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I have made quite a few bows out of guava in Hawaii. It is a great bow wood but pretty hard to work. I think you made the right move cutting the dog leg off. I have never had any luck splitting guava. I always just make 1 bow out of the stave so i use a hatchet to cut it to rough shape. Strawberry guava (the choice bow wood in Hawaii) will not check. So I kept my freshly cut roughed out staves in my car in 90+ degree makaha sun to speed dry them. I am not sure what kind of guava you have there though. Grubs are a bad sign. Before you go any further check the entire back for little black pinholes. if you find them quit while you are ahead and go get another stave. In my experience your bow will lift a splinter there. every time. Guava really likes being toasted on the belly too.
Good luck!
Msturm
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When I found the grubs, they were dead. It seems they tried to infest the tree earlier but the wood healed over them. I just split it to make it easier to work with, it’s the dry season right now so it should dry out relatively fast because we haven’t had rain in 3 months and anywhere here IS the 90+ degree car. In fact, you could fry an egg on the pavement.
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On a side note Ryan, if your temp is that hot down there, it isn't a bad idea to take Msturm's advice and put it in the car for a bit. In fact, do it with any guava you collect. It is a seldom known fact that heat above 130F for at least 30 minutes will effectively kill any insects living inside the wood ( the heat needs to be the same completely in and out of the wood for that amount of time so it will take much longer than 30 minutes). Of course, most people would cringe about the idea of it since it would likely cause the wood to check, but guava doesn't really check or warp. Cause it to dry out super quick as well if you don't seal the ends I guess.
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Limbit
My parents use the car to get to work... maybe the attic might work