ERC with character (and a helmet) Done!

[DuBois]

I couldn't wait any longer and I took out the hatchet and roughed this stave out. I think it has wicked potential
All the curves are natural and the back is the outside of the 4" tree branch that was cut in Sept. 2012 and been in my shed since.
I debarked the back right after cutting-it has no check or cracks anywhere  .

Thanks to you all.
Marco DuBois

[coaster500]

Wow!!! 

I'll say a prayer for you 

ERC is tough when the stave is without to much going on (knots, ect). Yours is a real challenge, if you pull it off that will be something!!!

[Pappy]

Cool stave,good luck with that and be sure and wear a helmet.   What Coaster500 said. 
   Pappy

[okie64]

If your determined to use it then I would sinew back it for sure. Personally I would try to find a cleaner, straighter stave if it were me.

[M-P]

Howdy Dubois,   I do agree with the others in that this could be tricky.   Sinew is widely agreed to be a very good pairing with junipers and will definitely improve your chances of success.   ERC is a fairly light wood and wide thin limbs are a good idea, but I'd still narrow the tips and get rid of most of that branch.   Small, solid knots on the belly are ok, but can be fatal to the bow if present on the back.  ERC can be heat bend so you might want to even out some of the bends  as you get closer to final dimensions.
I've always opted to leave the back alone once I've stripped the bark, and end up with mostly sapwood in the bow.   Other's have said they prefer to see more heartwood and remove some of the sapwood, or decrown the back.   Since you're planning to sinew the back, reducing the sapwood seems like an OK idea, but it increases the work  and increases the chances of problems ( ie. snap!!!).
Ron

[DuBois]

Thanks to you all for the honesty and input.
And the prayers cause it looks like I'll need em

I decided to decrown it and trim it down some, steam bend as needed, and then sinew it with 3 courses. At least I'll get some sinew experience 

[M-P]

It sounds like a reasonable plan.     Keep us posted.   Ron

[soy]

You sir are a glutton for punishment And I can respect that... , de crown with caution and keep the pictures coming... safety glasses

[Marc St Louis]

Make the bow narrow and a shallow D section.  That will take some strain off the back

[DuBois]

OK, thanks Marc.
I'll see what I can do around the knots and where I can narrow some 
Anyone have any ideas on the knot question or how many sinews a bow like this would take for 2 or 3 courses if I can get it to average about 1.5" wide at 57" long?

[PEARL DRUMS]

A dozen back sinews would get you close for 3 layers.

[DuBois]

OK, I cleaned out the knot holes on the back which ranged from 1/4" to about 1/2" and total 9.
I haven't seen anything like this done and so of course I had to try it once it stuck in my head

I filled the holes with hide glue and saw dust and worked in wet sinew strands, let it dry, then layed them down with the sizing glue, let em dry, and then sinewed 3 courses over that and created a slight crown to the back.





Belly is slightly D profile.

I know this is probably nuts but I was inspired by Ionicmuffins insanity to post my progress instead of waiting til the end 

[DuBois]

So here's the "progress".
Have been waiting for the sinew to cure but thought it was time for an update. Should be tillering in a couple weeks


After this, it's straight and knot free for me... Unless it works

[Del the cat]

We all wait with baited breath.
Good luck.
Del

[DuBois]

We all wait with baited breath.
Good luck.
Del

Yes, I'm sure there will be many fitfull nights sleep for the masses until the results are known 
Thanks for the good luck Del, I'll need it.