Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on November 11, 2010, 12:37:05 pm

Title: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on November 11, 2010, 12:37:05 pm

Has anyone here ever tried to make a self bow out of a Cedar fence post? I'm thinkin about givin it a try! Not sure if it will work

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Buckeye Guy on November 11, 2010, 03:06:37 pm

Not Me , but I have seen bows made from them
I believe Ed is his name at Owl bows.
Go for and Have fun!!!

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: woodstick on November 11, 2010, 03:44:10 pm

i have made them from osage fence post.

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Kent D. on November 11, 2010, 04:56:51 pm

Red/aromatic cedar, no.  Moutain juniper (what we call cedar down here in Texas) yup.  Quite a few of them. 

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: PatM on November 11, 2010, 06:57:13 pm

Red/aromatic cedar and the western vartieties of juniper are pretty much the same thing. In fact they crossbreed where ranges overlap.
 The heartwood of various post woods tends to be very durable so it can be salvaged years after a post has been put in the ground.
 Fence posts up here in Canada are made from white cedar. Very durable also but not up to being bow wood.

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Pat B on November 11, 2010, 07:05:48 pm

ERC heartwood is pretty rot resistant. I'd dry it out well and give it a try. You might want to back it with rawhide, silk or linen.

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on November 11, 2010, 08:38:15 pm

The reason I ask is that I can get them for somethin like $2 at tractor supply co in town. And since they havn't been employed as a fence I shouldn't need to dry em!

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Pat B on November 11, 2010, 11:45:46 pm

Be sure it is ERC and not Western Red Cedar!

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: gutpile on November 12, 2010, 10:29:43 am

definitely back it...or it will blow.....or only make a light weight bow... 8)...gut

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 12, 2010, 10:31:59 am

There are about a dozen of these downed cedars behind my house on my neighbors land. he said cut all I want.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/dead%20cedar/logonground.jpg)

These have been on the ground for about 20 years but are sound.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/dead%20cedar/logsplit.jpg)

I have used most of the wood to make tillering gizmos but did recover a couple of completely clear bow staves from the logs.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/dead%20cedar/shellacedstave.jpg)

This wood seems to be mighty brittle, don't know if it will make a bow but I will back it with hickory when I do make an attempt.
 

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on November 12, 2010, 10:47:08 pm

If it will make a bow tho, can you imagine how light it would be?

Title: Re: ERC bow out of a fence post?
Post by: Sparrow on November 12, 2010, 11:17:26 pm

Love ERC ,never tried a bow, but anything you make from it smells good and looks good. I'd do a bow with a rawhide back, nice and long.  ' Frank