Hey Guys
I cut a hickory down awhile back and tomorrow have the opportunity to get some of it cut at a saw mill. I was thinking of having some boards cut for bow cores and then some planks cut down so I could later rip them down into backing strips. The core wood probable does not matter whether it is plain or quarter sawn. What about the backers? I was thinking of having the planks cut plain sawn at about 2 and 1/2 inches thick then would later be able to handle them on the band saw and cut them at quarter sawn to 3/16. Am I thinking right on this? The base log was very straight with no knots and the other logs look like I will get some self bow staves out of them.
Sounds like a decent plan.
No matter how it is cut there will still be,some run out.
A perfect scenario would be if you had control of the saw. Then you could make the first cut square with the grain. Then each following cut would be good.
The reason this happens is the tree is tapered and they usually just cut a slab off to start the cuts.
Have you stored the log properly since it was cut. If it sat on the ground it might not be worthwhile bow wood. Hickory begins to deteriorate shortly after cutting if not handled properly.
Assumin your wood is sound, your plan is sound
Thanks for the responses guys. When I cut the wood I debarked it, sealed the ends and have had it my "soon to be" wood shop. I take them outside for short periods of time so I can work inside then they get flipped end to end and back into the shop. thanks again, I feel more confident going into the mill now.
Bill