Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: snag on February 10, 2013, 06:43:33 pm
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So I sawed some yew trees, sealed the ends, let them sit for 7 months. Got the splitting maul and wedges out yesterday. The first two have about a quarter turn twist in them. From looking at the bark they looked straight...? Must just be my inexperienced eye. Can this much twist be steamed out?
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Yew bark can be hard to read. I don't always risk splitting a yew log, but prefer small saplings, yielding only one bow per sapling, or sawing a larger log in two halves.
Yes, 90 degrees twist can be steamed out, but it's not great fun :p Probably requires several sessions.
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Do you think it is best to saw the pieces I've split at this point...in order to get some workable staves?
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Yes, saw yew! You can learn to read the bark of most any tree, it takes time (SPLTTING IS OVERATED).....try to go with someone that can teach you, your learning curve will be much less.
VMB
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Leave the twist.unless you want to spend hours trying to get it out. And I completely disagree splitting is not overrated.(not trying to start an argument)IMHO
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Bryce, I have cut staves for 20 yrs, and I guarantee I can get more usable staves/billets sawing then those that split their wood....that is just fact. Does it follow the grain as well as split staves....no it doesn't, but splitting is very iffy on where you place your wedges....sawing does not have that factor. Your right each to his own, but I wanted to explain my point of view.
VMB
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yeah, a 1/4 turn is a lot but not the end of the world.
You can lay the bow out a bit diagonal which will help a bit, you can steam some of it out (Yew likes heat/steam bending) but personally I've never taken twist out.
But best of all you can ignore it and just tiller the bow to draw straight despite the twist.
Here's one I did earlier, it's the one I use when I actually get out to a shoot.
(http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp195/Del_the_Cat/Website%20stills/Twist.jpg)
This link is to the finished bow as posted on PA
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,28324.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,28324.0.html)
Del
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Del,
that looks very much like what I have.
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Del,
that looks very much like what I have.
I was really jus' tryin' to make a wooden TV aerial ;D
Del
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I was really jus' tryin' to make a wooden TV aerial ;D
Del
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Del. You're dating yourself buddy. Well I guess they do still use those in some areas where they don't have cable, maybe?
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...yes I do..... ;)