Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Thesquirrelslinger on December 18, 2013, 05:20:41 pm

Title: Red oak sapwood
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on December 18, 2013, 05:20:41 pm

So I have this great 7 foot red oak board, approx 3" wide, by about 3/4ths inch thick or so.
It is about half softwood, half heartwood. The problem is there isn't enough heartwood to make a heartwood only bow, and I don't think there is enough sapwood due to a small amount of grain runout.
Is there enough a difference that I shouldn't make this thing into a longbow, with the right half sapwood and the left half heartwood(or reversed) in each limb? is it different in compression and/or tension?
I don't want to turn this board into a propeller ;)

Title: Re: Red oak sapwood
Post by: blackhawk on December 18, 2013, 05:23:45 pm

As long as you chose a proper grained board and you do your part right it should be fine....make a bow

Title: Re: Red oak sapwood
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on December 18, 2013, 05:25:11 pm

as in, if its weaker this thing is gonna twist beyond belief.
Like in spirals.
Literally.

Title: Re: Red oak sapwood
Post by: Pat B on December 18, 2013, 05:31:50 pm

You can control any twisting with tillering.

Title: Re: Red oak sapwood
Post by: blackhawk on December 18, 2013, 05:35:26 pm

There isn't going to be enough significant difference in density between the sapwood and heartwood in red oak ..I haven't found any difference between the two in my experiences with boardstock or tree stock