Pat, no go on buying good stuff local tried many times looking for furniture grade wood. Unless I drive a couple hours. Roy mentioned z splice I'm no stranger to splices and joints so that's an option I will check into.
Staves have been on my mind as well, I was under the impression it had to be a tree at least a foot in diameter but not so. Was reading about bows from saplings. There is a guy up the road who sells fire wood I haven't talked to yet. The bug has really got me so I'm getting more motivated to find a better supply, who knows might even take a crow bar to my wallet.
Well back to the shop got a hickory board on the operating table.