Sweet Gum bow build

[Flyboy718]

Well here is my first actual cut tree and start from scratch bow and it's sweet gum.  I didn't have a draw knife so I used my machetii(sp.) and it all came of very easily.  I am bound and determined to find a good use for sweet gum, maybe it will make a good bow.  How long do I need to wait to let it dry before beginning?  
 

[Pat B]

You can take it down to floor tiller stage with no problems and it will dry quicker like that too.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

That sure is a nice straight post, I'll give it that much. Don't know a thing about that wood, but give it a try.......what ya got to lose?

[Flyboy718]

Pat, I put her in the shed until I finish up my red oak board bow...I also have to do some learnin to move forward from this point with the sweet gum as I have no idea how to lay this out and move forward.

[beetlebailey1977]

Interested to see how it turns out.  I have some cut and split that has seasoned for 2.5 years or so.

[Dave Bowers]

Make sure you seal the end with some glue or something.

[Flyboy718]

Dave...seal it even though all the bark is gone?  I am all new to this.

For some reason I fear that she may twist and do all kinda crazy things as it dries...maybe I should get it roughed out.  How do I proceed from this point?  Does anyone have a pattern of sorts?

[okie64]

You can rough it out to about 2" wide by 2"thick x 6'long and then clamp it down to a 2x4 with some spacers underneath it and that will keep it from warping and twisting. Yes you need to seal the ends and possibly the back too.

[Flyboy718]

How do I know which side will be the back?  Just pick a side or is there a particular way to go about it?

[b.glass]

Usually the back is where the bark was.

[okie64]

If the bark peeled right off and you didnt nick into the first ring then thats where your back is. If you gouged into it youll have to go down another ring to find your back.

[KellyG]

If it is straight grained as it looks get it split. The you will have two staves.

[Dave Bowers]

Flyboy, I am new also, but from what the TG folks have told me is that you always seal the wood.

[John Scifres]

If you split it into staves and then layout a 2" wide bow, and make it 5/8" thick all the way across the limb, it shouldn't warp.  If you put it on a form, you can induce reflex in it too.  It'll be dry in a month that way.

Here's some pics of splitting:    Wood 2009  

Here's how I rough out osage.  You won't have to chase a ring though on that whitewood.  Make your bow 68" from nock to nock.  Make it 2" wide from the handle to midlimb and then taper to 1/2" tips.  Mark the center of the stave and then layout a 4" handle and 2" fades.    Roughout  

Then tiller it:    Tiller 101

[Flyboy718]

John I am walking with you on your reply; however, please forgive me guys...I am still confused as to where the back of the bow will be because I scraped off all of the bark at once, there is no bark left on the stave.  I don't think I could split it either because in my opinion there is not enough wood there to make two staves.  In my case, do I really have to worry about where the back is going to be that much?  I will move forward with what John posted in his reply pending knowing where the back of the bow is...

[KellyG]

Flyboy,
the back is what is on the out side now as long as you did not cut thru it and you got the paper like layer off under the bark. Dont worry to much about that. You will only need to 2" depth at the handle area and 5/8" on the limbs or less.
Do a search on here for hicory or other white wood staves and see how they prep them. I mean even most saplings get split.
Good Luck,
Kelly

[John Scifres]

How wide across is that log?

[Pat B]

Pick the best side of the pole for your back. Make a mark in the middle of the pole from end to end. From there make a mark 2" on either side of center and another 2" either side of the last mark. This will be your handle and fade areas. Leave the handle round and begin to thin the belly side of the pole tapering down from the handle to the limb at the fades. When you get it reduced enough so the tips move 4" when floor tillered tie or clamp it down to a 2x4, back side down and place it in a warm dry place for a month.

[Flyboy718]

Thanks KellyG and Pat B, sounds like a plan...John I will getcha a measurement on the pole tomorrow.

[hova]

if all you got is a machete for right now , there is a post on one of the other sites i think pp about a minimalist survival bow  , i think 3 tools max. couple people used machete's...


-hov