mesquite staves

[Spotted Dog]

 traded for 2 mesquite stave and I have never worked any before. What is the best way to do this?
Remove sap wood or not ? Heat or steam bend ? Back or not ?  They will ( I hope ) make SW style bows.

Dog

[tattoo dave]

I've never worked mesquite either. Is the bark still on it? If it is you may have to end up chasing a ring after removing bark. I like steam heating, but that's just my preference, but like I said, never worked mesquite. It may prefer dry heat. I'm sure somebody who's worked it will chime in. Good luck!

Tattoo Dave

[Marc St Louis]

Never worked any but a former member of the board made a self-bow out of some many years ago.  Unfortunately it's been too long and I don't remember any details

[wizardgoat]

Check out Chucks bow in BOM right now. His is sinew backed

[Spotted Dog]

Bark is on. They have a small amount of sap wood. Snakey too.

[Spotted Dog]

Thanks on link to Chuck's bow. Steam I will try. Lots of slow work ahead.

Dog

[loefflerchuck]

No need to remove the sap. Makes a beautiful contrast between heartwood and sap. I have heard they are stronger in compression. The Apache and Navajo bows I've seen of mesquite are sinew backed.

[Josh B]

This is the only selfbow that i managed to get made out of mesquite. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27311.0.html.  I recommend backing it.  Josh

[Badger]

  I have worked with mesquite a little bit. I never really had what i would consider a decent stave. I found it easily frets and would recommend bend through the handle designs and if the stave is short make it a short draw bow.  Like most acacia woods it is fast and very responsive but difficult to tiller out to full draw without fretting.

[neuse]

I do know Mesquite gets those wood worms really bad, leaves behind saw dust.
I guess spraying them would help that.

[Spotted Dog]

My staves are short, so bendy handles they will be. More than likely back. The heart wood is real dark.

[Spotted Dog]

 The church where I go is helping Navaho peoples right now. I thought I'd try a Navaho bow and arrows.

[Spotted Dog]

 Looks like I am going to be able to get a 41" bow out of one of them. Got it cut down so far as to be able to profile it.