New S.Tex Elm primitive

[Tombow]

Almost done, I think. A screw up as I realized too late that the stave had split deep and I had to remove more wood than expected after thinning the handle. South Texas Cedar Elm, 72" total with Huisache nock overlays...pulling >60# at 28". Several small knots, so I left it thick in those areas and it has a "lumpy" look. Shoots fast, though.  Anyone ever stain a bow with old coffee?  Tom
IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/atkinsont/FullDraw.jpg[/IMG]

I just had to add some Huisache.....


Thanks for looking.!

[Tombow]

Some of the pics didn't come through.......I'll try again.

[smokeu]

Good job.. Tried the coffee not a lot of success though, couldnt get a dark enough stain.

[Tombow]

Couple more shots.....

[Aosda]

Looks good.  I've tried coffee too on a scrap piece of wood, didn't come out too well.  But I had a thought that I'm gonna try by the weekend.  Ya know how coffee left in a hot pot too long turns to sludge?  I was thinking if you made a strong pot of coffee, then put in a sauce pan on the stove to reduce, you could try making a sort of gel stain.  I'm gonna be trying it on some knife scales.

[DustinDees]

Tombow, nice looking bow there. love the lumpy look. kinda funny, i tried cofee last week, one cup of water w/ 1 cup cofee on the stove to a boil, then i simmered till it was black as oil, strained it let it cool and tried on the bow..... nothin. this was on hickory so a little caramel colored already, i couldnt tell if it darkened it a bit. the sludge idea sounds promising to me tho, didnt take the time to get it that thick.

Dustin D.

[Pappy]

Well done,how dose it shoot ?
   Pappy

[GregB]

Nice job! Looks like it's braced a little low, though it could be just deceiving because the bow is so long. 

[Tombow]

Thanks for the replys guys. Pappy, it shoots pretty good, a hard pull for me but I like the feel of that resistance and something to get used to. GregB, I may need a few more turns on the string, it is a bit uneven in the brace, so hard to tell. My next project will probably be Hackberry since I've been curing some and need a break from the Elm. I appreciate all the advice from you experts!  Tom

[islandpiper]

Try plug chewing tobacco, chopped into a container of household ammonia.....thin as desired with water.   

piper

[Bullitt]

Nice, that's a primitive looking bow, great job! How about adding some white vinegar to the coffee? I know rit dye recommends it when setting. A friend of mine used folgers instant on a hickory board bow, looked nice. Good shootin, Steve

[Tombow]

I boiled down some strong coffee this morning and applied; kinda' yellowish brown. It soaked in well on the belly but the back doesn't want to take it much. I'll take a picture once I put some finish on it. Thanks guys.
Tom

[Tombow]

Coffee stain.......

[Aosda]

  Now it has a nice sun tan.  I tried getting sludge, but after more than an hour all I did was reduce 8 cups of coffee down to one.  More of a motor oil.  I tried it on Maple, Hickory, Red Oak, and Cherry.  Two coats each.  I'll post pics for ya if ya want, so you can see the difference.

[Tombow]

Aosda, I'll probably never use coffee again but just wanted to see how it worked. I boiled it down with the grains very to very little liquid, almost burned...well, burned. I was rubbing the grains and all into the wood. Sure I'd like to see your attempt!
Tom