Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: LivingElemental on July 05, 2012, 06:14:42 pm

Title: Is this too twisted?
Post by: LivingElemental on July 05, 2012, 06:14:42 pm
I've posted a few times about this persimmon bow I'm starting on in my spare time, and I only have this one stave that ended up being workable.

After splitting the tree, I noticed a pretty decent twist near one end, so I cut it down from 6ft to 5ft. Today I got it clamped in and started shaving it down, and noticed there's still some slight twist on one end. Should I try to steam bend this out, or cut it down even further to make a short bushwhacker. How much shortening can Persimmon take before it says, "I'd rather explode at full draw."

Here are pics.

(http://i46.tinypic.com/2lxgkma.jpg)
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2a61sp1.jpg)
(http://i47.tinypic.com/2vimkq0.jpg)
(http://i47.tinypic.com/157m5h3.jpg)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/34t291t.jpg)
(http://i50.tinypic.com/f407bb.jpg)
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: Del the cat on July 05, 2012, 06:19:15 pm
No.
Del
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: DarkSoul on July 05, 2012, 06:35:34 pm
Some heat- or steam-straightening and it'll be fine!

Don't forget to seal the ends ASAP.
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: Del the cat on July 05, 2012, 07:21:53 pm
I think you can simply pull a taut string along it to give a straight centre-line, it may need to run at a very slight angle to optimise it, but I don't think there is anyreal problem there at all. I don't think you need to mess with heat bending, unless you actually want to do it of course.
If you want to see a problem stave, just google my Bowyers Diary!
Here's a link to an old post where I lay out a bow on a similar log.
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/marking-out-and-retail-therapy.html (http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/marking-out-and-retail-therapy.html)
Del
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: SLIMBOB on July 05, 2012, 07:40:16 pm
I'm with the Cat.
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: mikekeswick on July 06, 2012, 02:30:15 am
I would reduce it to floor tiller thickness leaving the tips full width then un-twist after boiling (in the water not just steam) it for around 45 - 60 mins.
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: LivingElemental on July 06, 2012, 06:16:40 am
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help.

I know you can't really see from the pictures, but the stave isn't just bent, which I know isn't a problem (it actually has a nifty natural reflex to the tip on one side), but the grain is twisted laterally, and I don't want to risk breaking it putting strain on compromised grain.
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: Del the cat on July 06, 2012, 06:46:07 am
I think you can get away with about 45 degrees of twist without too much worry, especially if it's a wide bow. It just needs a little care during tillering.
Heat straighten or tiller it twisted, there's no right and wrong, just do what interests you the most.
My best shooting bow is 'Twister', this is how it looked in the early stages.
(http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp195/Del_the_Cat/Website%20stills/Twist.jpg)
If you do tiller it without removing the twist, leave the tips a bit wider with temporary nocks, that will give you room to adjust the string line as you progress and the limbs settle down.
Good luck and have fun, that's the important bit!
Del
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: LivingElemental on July 06, 2012, 07:07:20 am
Great, thanks.

I'll make sure to post the end product.
This is the first bow I've started for myself to keep, so I'll be able to take my time tweaking it until it's exactly how I want.
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: Del the cat on July 06, 2012, 07:29:25 am
At the risk of boring you rigid, I've just checked back and found the post where I start making 'Twister' so you can follow it from stsrt to finish.
It may be of some help, although you won't have the sapwood/heartwood issues I had with Yew.
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/yew-primitive-stave.html (http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/yew-primitive-stave.html)
Del
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: Pappy on July 06, 2012, 07:36:26 am
As long as it's not twisted enough that the string won't stay on it should be fine,but if it was mine I would get it to floor tiller,maybe a little father and heat treat it out,it don't bother some or the bow that much but I just don't like it and in most cases it's not that much trouble to take out. Oil it,heat it and over twist in the opposite direction and let it cool.Not usually a problem. :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 06, 2012, 08:19:27 am
Leave the nocks a good inch wide and the handle full width until you string it or full draw. That will allow you too to track the string better on the handle.  I can go through it if you want me to. Jawge
Title: Re: Is this too twisted?
Post by: Buckeye Guy on July 06, 2012, 08:34:30 am
What twist ?!!
Looks to strait to me !!
Have fun
Guy