so i think i have read every post on this forum from the search button for "yew" read the bowyers bible and watched billets to bow. but i still have some questions.

attached some links to pics (sorry flickr wont let me post the actual pics?) of the fishtail spliced billets i was gifted. my questions revolved around the character traits on the back.

1. the stumps left from small branches that where cut off...where the heck do i even begin? treat them like knots? there is heart wood exposed in the middles, cut flat. if i want a backing of sap wood unbroken....??? i dont even really know what to ask because im so lost on those things haha.

2.the third picture shows small pin knots that have been sliced through. is that going to be a problem? how should i approach?

3. the last photo is of a hole in the back. if i remember from billets to bows it is a hole from what used to be a knot. i think? and i think i can just back fill that with tbIII and saw dust?

any other suggestions for things i havnt thought of would be great. thanks in advance


 branch stump 1  
 branch stump 2  
 pin knots  
 hole in back

The hole in the back is no problem. The sapwood is unbroken around it so unless it is totally rotten inside it is a non issue.  The only pin that worries me is the one on the edge. Try to round that edge as best you can. You may even eliminate that pin by doing so. The branch stubs are OK as they are. I would put super glue in the checks just for insurence. You can cut the stubs off but don't cut into the "branch collar" that surrounds them. That is the raised area around the stubs.

whew! thanks pat! you just saved me a lot of lost sleep.
i am kind of liking the branch stubs now. talk about diferent character. should i leave the cut edges square or can i round them a little to soften them?

i guess my only other question is how did you learn all that?? haha. did i miss some research or just a lot of experience?

either way thanks a million for sharing the wisdom.

I like the branch stubs too and have been looking for such a stave to make a bow with them left on. Not sure about Pat, but I learn by breaking stuff.

Over 25 years of breaking stuff!  d;^)

...you can round the edges of the stubs. I would add super glue to the checks in those stubs though.

superglue. check(pun intended).
thanks

That will make a sweet one for sure.

You got more advice from Shaun and Pat than I can give you. Mark Smeltzer and Keenan will be along shortly I'm sure and we'll learn some more.

Stiks

Also if you open up a free photobucket account you can post pics easier.

you can post from flicker, I have. I use photo bucket most of the time but have done a few from flicker. I will let you know how I need to look to remember.

ok got another question.
is there any big disadvantage to having a thick-ish layer of sapwood ?
have heard that a 1/4 inch sapwood layer is ideal.
the sapwood on these billets has already been reduced to one ring (which is amazing work considering how fine the rings are) but it is closer to 1/2 inch in a lot of places.

i am not inclined to reduce the thickness since, as thin as the current back ring is, the rings below become so tight and fine i almost cant even make out individual layers in some places.

ttt for the above question.