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Author Topic: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?  (Read 3531 times)

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Offline 15DLongbow

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Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« on: February 22, 2012, 05:37:00 pm »
while doing the final tillering the bow got a nice crack through the back...the burlap/TB2 backing held it together..i was wondering if this can be fixed or if i should just scrap it and start bow number 2?
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2012, 05:40:46 pm »
You can see the grain is running diagonally across the bow... it was pretty much an accident waiting to happen.
I think with board bows you pretty much need a board with no grain run off in any direction before you start.
Better to spend 2 hours looking for a perfect board than 8 hours making a bow doomed to failure.
Don't beat yourself up tho'... I had one go BANG last week.
Happens to us all.
Del
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Health warning, these posts may contain traces of nut.

Offline RBLusthaus

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2012, 05:43:07 pm »
start  bow # 2.

It is interesting to see where the bow broke - - looks like it broke right along the grain line which exited the back.  It is the hope that the backing would have protected against this kind of failure, but sometimes the wood just has other ideas.  Hang that one up in the shop to remind you that nobody (and no stave or board) is perfect.

Russ 
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Offline 15DLongbow

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2012, 05:44:14 pm »
yeah, Im definitely keeping this one...she was my first :D well, Looks like i may be taking a run down to the home depot today to look around!
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2012, 05:59:13 pm »
Have some patience and find a good board. If the pile doesnt have a good board in it, walk away and search another day. Look into hickory and maple as well. Bad grain isnt a gamble its a sure break 99% of the time in a board bow.
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Offline 15DLongbow

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2012, 06:35:36 pm »
just got back from home depot, another Red oak board. grain is much better only 1 run off on the entire length. I cant seem to find anything besides Oak, Maple or Poplar around here...
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Offline Gus

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2012, 07:01:49 pm »
What part of the country are you in 15DLongbow?

-gus
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Offline 15DLongbow

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2012, 07:31:08 pm »
Central connecticut, The lowes/home depot's only carry maple, oak and poplar boards...nto real sure where else to look other than the woods. lol
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Offline Bevan R.

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2012, 07:43:16 pm »
You might check your yellow pages for tree removal services. Contact them and see if you can get friendly with them. Also, try to find people that sell firewood. Check with them about getting upslit logs. Another option is the trade thread here.
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Bowmakers are a little bent, but knappers are just plain flaky.

Offline paulsemp

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2012, 07:54:04 pm »
Once that happens you will never look at grain in wood the same. You almost need that once to make you look twice at a piece of wood. Congrats on braking your first and if you keep at it won't be your last. Don't burn it, keep it like a trophy!
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Offline 15DLongbow

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2012, 08:07:33 pm »
Its not my last, actually already started Bow #2! the risers glueing on right now, gonna start shaping out tomorrow..
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Offline Bernal

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2012, 08:17:43 pm »
Don't be afraid to look for specialty hardwood stores that cater to carpenters. The one I've started going to was very understanding when I said I wanted to look through every board because I wanted it to make a bow with. I just kept the pile organized and they were very friendly. I also just paid them a few more bucks to rip the boards into nice stave dimensions. :)
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Offline bubby

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2012, 08:57:28 pm »
try and get plain sawn or fully quartersawn wood, i've had more luck with quartersawn myself, Bub
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2012, 09:14:42 pm »
There is a lot of board info on my site.  You may want to take a peak. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
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Offline sweeney3

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Re: Is it fixable? Or well Carved firewood?
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2012, 09:18:02 pm »
Bow number 2.
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