Hickory selfbow help needed!!!

Started by TX FLY CASTER, July 08, 2015, 05:02:00 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

TX FLY CASTER

Well I have several staves that have been drying for about two years , problem is the Texas humidity never lets up. I have built many laminated glass bows but never a selfbow. Any good recommendations on literature or videos?

Mad Max

get it rought down to size and take it in the house to dry more.
weight it on scales, (Grams) and keep a log on the weight loss until it stops loosing.
when you start working on it bring it back in the house as much as possible.
Hickory needs to be dry
you are not dry enough yet.    :(    
MY Thoughts

Someone will chime in on some measurements for you.

I've had 3 or 4 in the house waiting for them to get dry enough
I would rather fail at something above my means, than to succeed at something  beneath my means  
}}}}===============>>

TX FLY CASTER

Will placing it in my bow oven help?

Mad Max

Yes 100 degrees.   Rough it down first.  
Any reflex or flip tips befor drying
I would rather fail at something above my means, than to succeed at something  beneath my means  
}}}}===============>>

mikkekeswick

Buy the Traditional Bowyers Bibles series. Start at vol1, make a load of bows, then vol2,3,4 and repeat!

takefive

There is so much information on self bows from past threads on this site.  Use the search feature and type in "hickory selfbow".  Bet you'll find a ton of info.
It gets humid even up here in Wisconsin.  All the wood in my basement is at 13 % or more MC.  I've been using my hot box at 100 degrees like Mark suggested.  A few days to a week brings it down to 8-9 %.  Good luck!
It's hard to make a wooden bow which isn't beautiful, even if it's ugly.
-Tim Baker

MikeWinVA

Make sure it is roughed down before hot boxing it.  If the stave is too large, force drying it could cause it to check.

KellyG

Post pics lots of pic. if you have a question ask with a pic.

most on here will help. dont be surpised if it is only one or 2. most let one or 2 floks help you out because no 2 bowyers do it the same.

TX FLY CASTER

So this is where I am at with the Hickory..... Not sure if this one will make a bow or not. Getting it roughed down so that it can go in the bow oven for a week or so.        

Contact Us | Trad Gang.com © | User Agreement

Copyright 2003 thru 2025 ~ Trad Gang.com ©