Hackberry Limb

[Dell M]

Wind broke a 6" limb out of my hackberry tree. I have it cut to lenght and ends sealed, will split it out today. Do I just peel the bark to get a back, or do I need to chase a ring? Best style of bow for this wood? Need advice, Thanks.

[SportHunter]

Peel the back and seal ends and back with shellac. I had some hackberry check after debarking so just to be safe seal it.

This page has pictures of the hackberry bow I finished for the 2012 TG swap. Most of the details are in the swap thread.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=007772;p=2

[KeithG]

do not chase a ring. Peel the bark off. Sand with paper than use a socket extension(3/4" x 6") and rub as hard as you can.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I peel the bark, seal the ends and leave the back alone. I have built all kinds of hackberry bows of various styles. My last one was a 56" static recurve with 3 layers of sinew. 66" long, 1 3/4" wide fades for a 25-29" draw is a solid design for your first few. Heat treating is almost essential to keep some zip in the bow. Hackberry is very soft and will follow the string without tempering.

[Dell M]

Thanks for the advice, I ended up with 3 fairly good staves, so I'll try a couple different ways.

[LittleBen]

I think coaster had some experience with hackberry too but I can't remember. You can't go wrong listening to Chris though. Heat tempering is almost as tedious as sinew (ok not even close) but its also effective. Good luck and keep us posted

[WestTexan]

I've got one going for the swap right now... 66" to start with,13/4 wide at the fades out to 6 inches then tapered to 1/2 at the tip but left that wide for now also. I hope to get some pics up in a day or 2.... It will be on the swap thread.

[RingChaser]

Pearl,
What is the best way to heat treat Hackberry. I believe this is something I have been missing. It seems even when I start with good reflex, the bow ends up with more string follow than I should. I sure good use some solid advise when it come to the Hackberry.

[WestTexan]

You can put it back on your cawl and toast it. I set my heat gun on high and heat about 6 inches at a time to a light brown and lightly clamp it down as I go. You will need to check the tiller again...it's hard to really keep the heat even so you will have stiffer spots or at least I have anyway.