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Author Topic: moisture content and hickory  (Read 3011 times)

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Offline Aries

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moisture content and hickory
« on: October 28, 2015, 10:29:33 am »
I am used to working with osage so I usually don't stress much about mc after the bow is properly cured, what I am worried about are the 3 hickory long flat bows I am working on with some Newby bowyers in training. I have had the hickory staves split and driving for 6-8 months and over the last month they have had the bark off, they have now been in my hot box at 90 degrees after being worked down to rough dimensions.
I have a prong style moisture content reader but I have had a hard time getting measurements with it. Any other tips on determining moisture content?
Any tips for finishing and storing these bows to help keep them in good shooting condition.
I appreciate the help guys
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Offline Pat B

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Re: moisture content and hickory
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2015, 10:35:21 am »
You live in a relatively dry area(maybe not lately) and hickory loves dry! 5% to 6% is ideal. When the weather is wet, don't stress the bow or stave. You can work it down to floor tiller now and if storing in a hot box you shouldn't have to worry about the M/C at all. When you finish working on it put it back in the hot box until next session. Once winter gets here the M/C generally drops so no worries there.
 
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Offline wizardgoat

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Re: moisture content and hickory
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2015, 11:16:00 am »
Get a kitchen scale and measure the weight. When it doesn't drop weight for at least a week it should be good.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: moisture content and hickory
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2015, 05:02:14 pm »
I'd bet dollars to donuts those staves are ready to rock. A 90 degree hot box is the ticket. Hickory loses it almost as quickly as it gains it, in the raw.
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Offline Drewster

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Re: moisture content and hickory
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2015, 07:12:20 pm »
Aries, in addition to using my hot box, I also use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in the hot box.  You can get a hygrometer/thermometer from Lowes or Home Depot for about $10.00.  Also download a Wood Equilibrium Moisture Content Table and tape it to your hotbox.  The chart will tell you the MC of the wood at a particular temperature and humidity level.  Sometimes, I have to add trays of water so the wood doesn't get too dry.  A kitchen scale like wizardgoat suggested will tell you when the MC equalizes at a specific temperature and humidity level.  It all works together to give you good accurate information when working with hickory.

Hope this is helpful.  Works well for me.
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Drew - Boone, NC
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