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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: JamesV on December 25, 2011, 11:03:00 AM

Title: Cypress core?????????
Post by: JamesV on December 25, 2011, 11:03:00 AM
I have some really nice, clear cypress lumber and would like to use it as a core for a glass bow. What are your thought and suggestions?
Title: Re: Cypress core?????????
Post by: Living_waters on December 26, 2011, 12:50:00 PM
Dont know about core wood have no experience with it, but the Seminole made self bows of bald cypress. I love it for arrows
Title: Re: Cypress core?????????
Post by: mater on December 26, 2011, 02:12:00 PM
When Im not sure, I cut one laminate and bend it hard and make sure it isnt to brittle.
Title: Re: Cypress core?????????
Post by: rmorris on December 26, 2011, 03:08:00 PM
James, I attempted to do some research for you but i could not find a definitive answer on what I was looking for. Cypress is a conifer and many of the conifers contain the chemical that is used to make turpentine which is a solvent. If this chemical is present in cypress this has the chance to cause delamination issues over time. Hopefully you will be able to find out more and I wish I could be more help.
Title: Re: Cypress core?????????
Post by: snapper1d on December 26, 2011, 03:37:00 PM
Cypress!!! Thats a real good question.Cypress is really light wood and it could possibly make a real good core.There is not much resin in the wood as like boards but the green bark,limb tips do have lots of resin.The cypress ball are loaded with the sticky gummy nasty stuff!!!
Title: Re: Cypress core?????????
Post by: Duncan on December 26, 2011, 03:52:00 PM
Check some boat building sites and while cypress is very rot resistant it may not stay glued for long due to the natural oils present in the wood.
It is not favored in boat building where epoxy encapsulation is the technique to fasten and preserve the wood for this reason.
But you may be able to soak it in acetone and remove enough oil to be able to use it. Or you could just try it as is and see what happens.