First time with Hackberry

[mooseman1967]

As the title says, had some big limbs blown down on my Hackberry tree in the yard so first thoughts were staves. I have worked with Osage start to finish a few times and was wondering if there are any do's or don'ts between the two. I've heard it's a pretty good bow wood so any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. Thanks, Dave
 

[mooseman1967]

[SportHunter]

Seal the back and ends and wait for it to dry. Hackberry bends well with steam if you want some recurve on the tips. Toast the belly to keep set to a minimum.

I built a few in typical flatbow style, roughed out at 2" wide limbs, finished limbs were 1 7/8" wide. My layout would be 4" handle, 3" fades, 12" to 14" parallel (depending on desired bow length)at 2" wide then taper to tip. Probably 66" to 68" long NTN. See TBB volume one, page 135 for flatbow style layout.

[White hair]

As he said seal it. I love the stuff. Made my first Mollegabet from it. Seems very strong and power is good. 1 3/4 wide working limbs.

[mwosborn]

Hey Dave -  Hackberry is my favorite white wood that I have worked with.  If you are not in a rush to make one, I would do as suggested and let it dry good.  If you want to start working now, go ahead and cut one out using your bandsaw and then let it dry - you could even clamp it up to add some reflex while it dries if you wish. (Marv and I did this at last years bojam with some fresh cut hackberry that he bought down)

As already mentioned, wide limbs 2" to begin with and you can always narrow them.  I personally like a pyramid style.  Taper from 2" wide at fades to 1/2" at tip.  Those that I have heat treated have responded well.

I have also made a sinew backed recurve with hackberry - it does bend easily with steam.

Good Luck!

[KellyG]

Your phyiscal weight of your bow will be light aslo. I made one in a hill style nice bow. toast that belly and toast it good and I bet you will be please.

it is very light wood too once dried.

[mooseman1967]

Thanks for the info guys, might rough one out and let the rest of them dry with the rest of my wood. So far this is the only one I stripped the bark should I do that to all of them and paint them of course?

[scrub-buster]

I would get all the bark off and seal them.  If you wait that bark will stick like glue on the wood and you will have to carefully chip and scrape it all off.

[Pat B]

I use spray shellac to seal bow wood. It is fast, easy and can be removed easily with a good rub down with alcohol.

[BigErn]

mooseman,
    Not trying to steal your thread,how is hackberry for riser material?Will it take stain good?
                              Ernie