To split or not to split thats the ?

[Callekanin]

Hi gang as the title states should i split or not, just recently was lucky to get donated a nice Yew log to me its approx 5 inch in diameter in the top end and approx 6,5 in the bottom (root /stump ) end both ends have been sealed with carpenters glue and hasnt been debarked since thats what ive allways been told with yew  :D

thnx in advance

Calle

[Pat B]

Is the wood seasoned? Is it straight, not growing in a spiral, barber pole). If it is seasoned and straight I would at least saw it in half lengthwise. It may split fine but I've never split a yew log so I don't know how well it will split.

[Callekanin]

Hi Pat

No the log isnt seasoned it was cut down early september by one of the parents at the local archery club i attend, its not spiraling but has a little bit of wind bending making the log not perfectly circular, staight ness probably off by 2-3 inches  ive screwed up more logs trying to split em cuz ive not had the proper knowledge of the wood ive tried it with so i was thinking the sawing as an option too.  Been told yew needa season at least 3-4 years and small logs you dont split but ive got no idea what would be considered a small log is that totally off the chart ?

Calle

[Pat B]

A friend sent me a 3" diameter yew log a few years ago. I sealed the ends but didn't split it. The next time I looked at it it had checked badly. I was able to get one decent stave from it but I wished I'd sawn it in half and got 2 staves.
 Sawing it(or splitting) in half will give the moisture a place to escape to help prevent checking. I'm just not sure about splitting versus sawing.

[Carson81]

Like Pat aid, get it opened up so the moisture has a place to go. To saw or split is tuff to say without seeing it. if you are not sure, then I would say saw it. You need a good bandsaw to rip a yew log in half. Getting it 3-4 years is good, but not necessary. 1.5 -2 years is sufficient.

[fujimo]

i have tried splitting them, i have found that they are inclined to run out.
some have had success splitting from the middle outwards.
nowdays i study it. see where i want the cuts- mark them with a chalk line- then cut them with my skill saw. then if i want to build a bow that follows the character of the stave- i follow the grain with my bandsaw etc.

big thing with yew- DONT chase the moisture out of it- keep it out of the wind and the sun- hopefully somewhere moist- let it cure slowly- then when it gets down to around 15%- 18% mc, then you can take it down to about 12- its the preferred mc for yew!
like pat says- cut it up now- and allow the moisture to escape from the belly- and it will also relieve some tension- help prevent checks etc.
 good luck

[Buemaker]

I only have experience with Yew growing here in Norway, the Taxus Baccata. Over the last 25 years I have cut, split and sawn a lot of Yew trees.  Yew splits very easy when newly cut, start your split with an axe at the top end and then use wedges as the split opens.  After I have split it in half to see if there is twist in the wood I take it t the bandsaw and roughly cut it into bow blanks. Some will stay straight and some will curve into reflex, deflex or sideways. I have experimented with drying Yew without splitting it and after 5-6 years when cut on the bandsaw it can bend any way, so you do not take tension out of the log by drying it a long time if it was there in the first place. That is why I take it down to bow blanks when freshly cut. The log will also check if dryed in log form and it will take a looong time to dry. Bue--.

[Buemaker]

I forgot, one more thing and that is if when cut in half you see the pith, get rid of it because a split often starts there and can ruin your stave.

[Callekanin]

Hi guys
Thnx for all the great advice, I decided to go with the sawing option since splitting sounded too scary ( great advice and knowledge there Fuji and Bue thnx ) btw Bue how did that super epoxy from Biltema behave    :D    ?
Well back on track , so ive should probably have posted pics before my chainsaw maddness (dont have a big enough bandsaw pew pew )but here goes a few pics of the 2 halves

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What ya think they are approx 68 inches , workable ?

And here at last i just had to share this pic , after sawing i went to shoot at the local bowhunters club , and one off the oldtimers had a little present for me i thought it was so awesome i just cant help myself from showing !

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Thnx again guys for sharing your wealth of knowledge and insight

Calle      

[Buemaker]

Hei mr. rabbit     The epoxy from Biltema worked fine, the gluelines became light gray. I guess you are looking at Bueforum. The door the staves are leaning against, is that the woodshed? If so perhaps the staves belong in there, anyway you will have some work getting those staves to finished bows. Let us know how it goes.  

[Callekanin]

Hi Bue , sounds good with the epoxy picked up a pack a looong time ago but never had the chance to get it in to use , yeah saw ya post in the what did ya do today thread. Not my woodshed dont have one  :(  its my machine house for my retro machinery for my MF 35 and the whole thing is uninsulated and has a steel roof so the temp is very unstable and can reach over 40 degrees Cels. in the summertime, was thinking the old pig stable that has the hayloft on top and keeps a more stable temp and humidity, ohhh yeah im a grand noob with bows i bet ima have a lot of work with those hehe  :D  sure will  

Calle