Author Topic: sapling bow??????  (Read 6490 times)

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Offline Bohunter0908

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sapling bow??????
« on: September 04, 2013, 01:40:43 pm »
Howdy
I've been away for awhile but I'm back
And I'm working on my first sapling bow
It a mulberry my neighbor had cut and I scavenged it >:D
My question is what do I do to the back debark and leave it or do I
Drive myself crazy trying to chase a ring .

Thanks, Bo
Laporte TEXAS
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

Offline Fred Arnold

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2013, 01:50:42 pm »
Makes a nice bow if the sapwood isn't over a couple of rings. The only sapling I worked on I chased to the top heartwood. There were a ton of pin knot clusters and I probably should have backed it. It failed, lesson learned.
I found many years ago that it is much easier and more rewarding working with those that don't know anything than those that know it all.

Offline Josh B

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2013, 02:33:16 pm »
We need a lot more info to give you a good answer to your question.  For instance, dimensions  length and thickness( some folks consider a 6" diameter tree to be a sapling) how much character, is the sapwood likely to be compromised with mildew,  what draw weight and length are you hoping for?  Also pics of your intended victim are always good ;)  Generally speaking, the more info you provide, the better plan we can offer.  Josh

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2013, 12:49:01 am »
 Deminsions are 48"L x about 1-1/2" W not to much character a few pin knots and larger knot
Knots from wherr the branches were no mildew. Im figureing on around 40# draw at 22"
it'll be a horse bow for sure I'm still pretty much an amature and I'm working with what i can get
My hands on and learning as I go so far I've made 4 bows and none have stayed in one piece
But I did get to shoot one i made from crepe myrtle before it broke i really enjoy making bows or
attempting to :o. I'll try and figure out to to post pics on here again I'm using my phone and tablet so its difficult sometimes

Thanks again,Bo
Laporte TEXAS
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

Offline Josh B

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2013, 01:55:53 am »
That is pretty small.  I think you should be able to get that weight and length with a good tiller and a little luck.  You are already going to have a pretty high crown, so chasing a ring will only make that worse.  Carefully remove the bark and use the first ring.  Drying it could be tricky as well.  If you leave it in the round, its gonna check all the way to the middle.  If it were Osage, you could  split it and still have enough wood for your bow.  Mulberry requires more wood for the same draw specs so splitting won't work on this one.  The best I can suggest is to shave down the belly to floor tiller and then really seal the whole thing up good and see what happens.  If memory serves me, you live in the Houston area?  If so the humidity should help some on the checking.  You might consider rawhide backing it after its cured.  That high crown will be under a lot of strain.  Hope I helped at least a little.  Josh

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2013, 11:20:00 am »
Sorry I forgot to mention its already cured and
I split it that's why its only 1-1/2"W I debarked it and
Took off the cambien layer it is pretty high crowned
I got it to floor tiller so the easy part is over. Thanks for the info Gundoc
And I'll try and get some pics posted hopefully it works out and if it doesn't
Hopefully I learn something.

Thanks, Bo
LaPorte, TEXAS
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

blackhawk

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2013, 01:23:01 pm »
I second Josh's recommendation of rawhide backing that...

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2013, 09:27:26 pm »
Well I've just about got this little  bow
Finished and it is still in one piece so far
Its gonna be a little lite but still use able
Its 47" ntn around 30-35# @ 22"
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2013, 09:28:59 pm »
Sorry I still haven't figured out how to post pics >:(
I'm still trying
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2013, 10:37:30 pm »
Howdy y'all
Well I got this bow finisged and
I got some pics but I can't figure out how to
Posted them HELP please
I'm using my phone that's all I have right now

  Thanks,Bo
 LaPorte TEXAS
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

Offline DavidV

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2013, 11:26:44 pm »
Upload them to Photobucket and paste the "IMG" links into here.
Springfield, MO

Offline Gus

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2013, 01:09:33 am »
Good to see ya back on Bo!

Hope your Family is doing Well.

Photobucket is the site I normally use for photos.
They do have an app for IPad/IPhone and Android.
But since I picked up an IPad I haven't figured out where to copy the direct link to the photo in Photobucket yet...

Regards,

-gus
"I taught him archery everyday, and when he got good at it he throw an arrow at me."

Conroe, TX

Offline crooketarrow

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2013, 09:27:59 am »
   Treat it just like OSAGE.
  If you can't use the ring right under the sap wood.
  You have to follow a ring.
  Nothing wrong with mullberry.
DEAD IS DEAD NO MATTER HOW FAST YOUR ARROW GETS THERE
20 YEARS OF DOING 20 YEARS OF LEARNING 20 YEARS OF TEACHING

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2013, 11:00:22 am »
Here it is
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow

Offline Bohunter0908

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Re: sapling bow??????
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2013, 11:10:38 am »
#2
Take a kid hunting today and you won't
Have to hunt for the kid tomorrow