Author Topic: Question about storing staves  (Read 4923 times)

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Offline osage outlaw

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Question about storing staves
« on: May 21, 2010, 10:31:17 pm »
I am building a bow shop in the garage, and was wondering if it matters if staves are stored laying down, or standing up to dry.  I was wanting to build a rack to stand them up vertically in.  I was planning on putting a treated 2x8 on the bottom so they wouldn't be sitting on concrete.  I looked through all of my bow building books and couldn't find any info on it. 
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline sailordad

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2010, 12:30:35 am »
the only problem i could think of with storing verticaly
would be the temp/humidity differance at floor level and 6 ft above floor level
it may or mat not have a difance,but i store horizontaly just incase  ;)
i always wanted a harley,untill it became the "thing to ride"
i ride because i love to,not to be part of the crowd

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2010, 12:34:33 am »
All of my staves are leaning against a wall in my basement shop.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline sailordad

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2010, 12:36:56 am »
see i could just be over analytical and anal  ;D
i always wanted a harley,untill it became the "thing to ride"
i ride because i love to,not to be part of the crowd

Offline ricktrojanowski

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2010, 06:32:36 am »
I store mine anywhere I can find more room.  Most are in a rack laying down, with the back (bark side) up. But I do have some standing.
Traverse City, MI

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2010, 07:25:11 am »
Thanks for the help.  I think I will store them standing up.  I will flip them every few months or so.  I am not sure that will do anything, but you never know.  Once I get my little (8'x24') shop done, I will post some pictures.  I am still working on bows while working on the shop so everything is a big mess.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline hillbilly61

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2010, 08:32:52 am »
 I may be wrong, and please correct me if I am. When you stand the staves on end, won't that let the sap settle to the bottom end? Making it dry unevenly? I know alot of y'all do but it just got me curious :-\
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Offline Dean Marlow

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2010, 09:19:11 am »
I got staves on racks. Leaning in the corner of my shop. Laying down on boards and I can't tell the difference in drying. The name of the game is time to get wood dried out.

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2010, 10:03:21 am »
I haven't noticed a difference but my gut tells me horizontal is better. Jawge
« Last Edit: May 22, 2010, 10:15:34 am by George Tsoukalas »
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Far East Archer

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2010, 10:05:26 am »
I use to keep stand vertical against wall, but have problems with this.
It is humid here, so the moisture stays low to the ground and bottom half of staves stay moist, sometimes mold in case of bamboo.
Maybe its not a problem in place with low humidity, but from now I will dry wood horizontally.
This is mostly true if direct sunlight does not shine on whole stave.

As long as you have air flow, which I think is most important.

Offline Del the cat

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2010, 12:20:14 pm »
I use to keep stand vertical against wall, but have problems with this.
It is humid here, so the moisture stays low to the ground and bottom half of staves stay moist, sometimes mold in case of bamboo.
Maybe its not a problem in place with low humidity, but from now I will dry wood horizontally.
This is mostly true if direct sunlight does not shine on whole stave.

As long as you have air flow, which I think is most important.
Yeah, I'll go along with airflow...mine are horizontal, high up on racks on the grage wall, the back door is always open, and there is a good gap around the big front door. The wind fairly whistles through.
Del
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Offline Hrothgar

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2010, 03:02:00 pm »
I tend to lay mine horizontal and off the floor, mainly because my basement likes to flood after a rain. Up in the ceiling rafters is an ideal location if you don't have a finished ceiling.
" To be, or not to be"...decisions, decisions, decisions.

Offline Alpinbogen

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2010, 05:15:44 pm »
I have staves laying across sawhorses in a crawl space and staves standing on end in my basement.  Neither location is ideal for drying, but it's the best space-wise.  Just have to move on upstairs by the woodstove on in the hotbox when I'm working on one to get them dry.

Offline dmassphoto

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2010, 01:46:12 am »
Would an attic area be a good place to store staves?

Offline HoBow

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Re: Question about storing staves
« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2010, 07:21:58 am »
Dmass- that's where I store mine, but make sure it does not get to hot or they will check on you if the ventilation is not decent.
Jeff Utley- Atlanta GA