The Iowan Path

[iowabow]

Got the rails cut free from last year's log. The screws were in too tight to remove last year and I never got back out to cut them free so they set under the snow all winter. Annette and I moved all the gear and rails down to the log and got things set up for the milling this afternoon. Then we went to the dam on the pond and checked the status of our overflow ditch and then seeded down the slope on the dam to stabilize the soil. I have the DNR coming on Monday to do a site visit and advise on pipe drain size and installation. All in all my mind is at ease now that we have 9 inches of free board. This should be good for the emergency over flow ditch height and the pipe then will be dug to create a 1.5 foot free board...anyway that is my current mind set. Also a 6 inch low spot on the dam will be filled and raise the free board just a bit more.

[iowabow]

The mill work went well here are a couple pictures of the afternoon activities.

[JW_Halverson]

Short sleeves and the Gun Show is ON!

Nice work on that log.  How thick are the slabs?

[Olanigw (Pekane)]

Ah, the "sit and scooch" method.  Very effective with those Alaskan mills.

[Eric Krewson]

I have thought abut getting one of those same chainsaw mills. How big a saw do you use with yours?

[iowabow]

I have thought abut getting one of those same chainsaw mills. How big a saw do you use with yours?

The first saw was a 50 cc but it  would lag so i bought on craigslist a 55 cc and it works much better. The key is to order a couple rip chains.  The chainsaw surface is cleaner than a saw from a standard mill. 

@ JW as far as the guns well bow building, timber stand  improvement, and digging that trench has kept me in shape this winter.  The slabs are 1 1/4 , and 2 1/4 .

@ Olanigw when the arms get tried it is the best method plus you get to sit and take a break while the saw does the work. I am getting smarter by running the saw down hill now. This way gravity can do some of the work.

[JW_Halverson]

I am getting smarter by running the saw down hill now. This way gravity can do some of the work.

Uncle of mine out in Washington state cuts vine maple, yew, and other PacNW woods for bowmaking and told me there was never a good piece of bow wood downhill from the truck!

[Don Case]

Uncle of mine out in Washington state cuts vine maple, yew, and other PacNW woods for bowmaking and told me there was never a good piece of bow wood downhill from the truck!

Great attitude, but in reality I've found the exact opposite. It's one of Murphy's Laws.

[iowabow]

This tree was just given to me wow!!!

[iowabow]

Here is a picture from wood I cut yesterday and pulled out from the valley with the quad today. This is butternut hickory.

[JW_Halverson]

Is that yellow heartwood in that dropped tree???

[bowtarist]

Good Stuff John!! dp

[iowabow]

Is that yellow heartwood in that dropped tree???

Yep osage orange

[iowabow]

Good Stuff John!! dp

Thanks man...too much fun

[Went tam]

JB and I are getting started on his bow tonight.