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Author Topic: Scotch Broom  (Read 6370 times)

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Offline Maxspin

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Scotch Broom
« on: February 11, 2013, 11:09:19 am »
This stuff can make a bow? I read it on the internet so it must be true. :-\



Anyone played with this? Does it check? Definitely going to require some straightening. No such thing as straight pieces.

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Offline Carson (CMB)

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2013, 11:58:49 am »
It has a tendency to check badly.  It is very dense wood, but I have trouble finding large diameter pieces that are even billet length.  Looks like you have some good ones there.  Watch for rotten heartwood. 
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"The bow is the old first lyre,
the mono chord, the initial rune of fine art
The humanities grew out from archery as a flower from a seed
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Offline Maxspin

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2013, 01:04:56 pm »
I'll get a picture of the ends. I am sure that I have some with rotten heartwood. I am just hoping to get 1-2 bows out of these.

Keith
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Offline Tom Leemans

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2013, 01:27:02 pm »
Unwritten rule of bowyery...
When a species of wood, generally not thought of as "bow wood" is brought up on a bow making forum, the author assumes the responsibility of testing the capabilities of that wood and posting the results for all to see.  ??? :D
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Offline sleek

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2013, 01:29:55 pm »
Yes it does, and I have seen some nice bows made of it too... Just not by me :)
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Offline ionicmuffin

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2013, 02:13:31 pm »
I am also interested in scotch broom. we have LOADS of it EVERYWHERE... Many of them around here are known to get near 4 inches in diameter... im hoping to collect some soon and use it :D
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Offline bubby

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2013, 02:16:09 pm »
shure does, I have seen at least one posted on this site, Bub
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Offline bubby

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2013, 02:19:08 pm »
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline vinemaplebows

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2013, 03:03:14 pm »
Maxspin,

                           Seal the ends keep them in a cool place for at least six months, similar to drying ocean spray or indian plum. Check your in box.
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Offline bow101

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2013, 04:13:49 pm »
Mmmmmmm. ok soundsa interesting. Where abouts do you live..?
Here on the West Coast there are quite a few other species that are good for bow making.
This is something I found out about Spruce. Beside using YEW for bows and other woods they also used spruce to great extent. 

Spruce is valued for its wood, which is light, soft, and relatively strong and flexible.
Aboriginal people made spruce saplings into snowshoe frames and sometimes into bows. They heated the gum to make a glue to fasten skins onto bows and arrowheads onto shafts.
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Offline Maxspin

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2013, 06:23:17 pm »
Quote from: bow101 on February 11, 2013, 04:13:49 pm
Mmmmmmm. ok soundsa interesting. Where abouts do you live..?

I am outside of Olympia WA.
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Offline ionicmuffin

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2013, 06:28:00 pm »
you and i live very close! amazing how were all surrouded by such nuts...i mean, such awesome people  ;D
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Offline randman

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2013, 06:29:21 pm »
I can testify that Scotch broom makes freakin awesome bows. Very strong in tension. Don't peel the bark off of those or rough them out as you will get unuseable reflex and massive checking on the bark side. Seal the ends and leave them for a month and 1/2 and then you can start to work it (inside). It gives up moisture real fast and seasons fast enough that once you have peeled it and roughed it out (you'll still get some drying reflex) it'll be dry enough to tiller after a couple of weeks. after a year it gets really hard. I can usually find longer staves around here no prob (Seattle) but those short ones will work fine as billets. Just don't glue any reflex into them when you splice em because you'll get enough reflex just with the seasoning.
It responds real well to heat treating and great with sinew.
Here's some shots of mine:
The one on the left is sinew backed (it's actually the second bow I ever finshed to shooting and it was way under weight so I sinewed it - my first sinewed bow ) 45" ntn 35#@22". The one on the left is 35#@24 - 1" wide.
All of the staves in the last shot are scotch broom and the one that is 4th from the right is going to be my trade bow this year (now that I got my name and I know who it's going to) Its pulling about 60lbs right now.
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Offline bow101

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2013, 07:04:21 pm »
Quote from: Maxspin on February 11, 2013, 06:23:17 pm
Quote from: bow101 on February 11, 2013, 04:13:49 pm
Mmmmmmm. ok soundsa interesting. Where abouts do you live..?

I am outside of Olympia WA.

Randman has built some great ones from Broom......what can I say.  8)

Other than that, Try finding some spruce and back it with something as it is on the soft side. This will be my next project for board style laminate. I will hope to back it with maple.
Here are a few species hopefully around your neck of the Woods...no pun.
- OCEAN SPRAY
- CHOKE CHERRY
- VINE MAPLE
- MOUNTAIN MAPLE
- DOUGLAS MAPLE
- DOGWOOD
- APPLE
I almost forgot one of the better bow woods Yew.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2013, 07:20:37 pm by bow101 »
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Offline Maxspin

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Re: Scotch Broom
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2013, 10:55:33 am »
Randman,
Those are very nice. I only found one long enough for a bow without splicing. I will have to stop again and look for some more.
Is this the normal color for the heartwood or do the all have rot.
The one on the upper right looks bad for sure.



Keith
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