YEW log into Billets and 3 BOWs - 3 FINISHED BOWS - Renamed title again

[globalmark]

Hi
Just been given this Yew log by a Old Famous Bowyer that lives local to me in the UK - he's had for 20 years but doesnt make yew bows anymore due to the dust almost killed him.

so will try and make a yew bow or 2 and make some laminations out anything left ..

But due to the big Knots in one side i was wondering if anyone had a idea of best way to split it into halves or anything .

It already has some shakes and splits doesnt look like had ever been end sealed - so not sure will get any Billets out of it but like to try

I have split a few logs before but these big knots in one side look like if done wrong will ruin this..

So if anyone has some experience on splitting these funny shaped logs - is it best to try to split it through the middle of the knots or should i keep them in one half ..

or shall i just Bandsaw this in Half ?



Thanks Mark

[Buemaker]

My guess is that you might get som laminations from the heartwood, but I am afraid that you have firewood. Yew as large as this should not be dried in the round, but split at least in half when cut. There will be too much tension and it developes cracks in the center that cannot be seen,and as can be seen deep cracks goes from the outside and into the log.
The color does not look good in this one.
I cut my first Yew around 1990 so I have cut many over the years.
One can always hope that I am wrong about this one, good luck.

[Flem]

I'm with Bue on this. I have tried to split some knotty yew, it's an iffy proposition. I think I would saw it into lams.
There are some talented, experienced log splitters on this forum, maybe you will get some useful advice.

[globalmark]

Thanks for the reply

I kinda already knew that - unfortunately when someone gives like that have no choice
 the few logs I have done I always split when green ..
Guess it’s to the saw and see if can get some laminations and handle material then - but I will keep hopeful Watch as I go ..
Thanks Mark

[globalmark]

I had a Go and Bandsaw the Log - was pretty Bad condition so many shakes and cracks but might get one Bow as nice tight rings ..
but also Made some laminations but they are bit bendy so maybe ok once straightened and middle layer in something ..
Mark

[Wolftrail]

Sweet looking staves ya got there.  I dont use much Yew only ever built one Yew self bow so far.  Not one for doing any steaming dont ask why, I use dry heat to straighten some bows and add some reflex thats about it.  I had some yew boards a few years ago and after ripping them the lams went side ways and every which way, the wood was under tension in a big way.  The boards were a full 8" wide and 3" thick.

[globalmark]

Hi
no they are not that sweet - to many cracks and Shakes - no doubt as left as a round log - also nothing straight ,
But having a go anyway - managed to Glue up 2 staves from the 4 billets
1 bow should be ok as nice matching pair but other stave not sure we will see .

used draw knife to get ends of billets to size
marked stave to string line of both will approx go through handle
stuck on with PVC card with splice marked
stuck on scrap wood so can cut splice square
cut on bandsaw then cleaned up with bandsaw and small rasp/file
few test fits then glued .

[globalmark]

test fit
Glued stave 2 (different one from test fit) - have glued tiny bit recurve at handle as one billet bends wrong way - so hopefully will help bit .
 

[Flem]

Kudos to you! You are obviously not one to back down from a challenge
I've got some twisty Yew that I managed to saw into 3/16" slats. Still haven't had any luck getting them flat. Now I'm hoping you will shed some light on the subject.

[Roy from Pa]

I've found that some yew has a mind of it's own.

I had some 36" long yew billets about 2" wide and 1/2" thick that were twisted/warped.

I'd heat and straighten and clamp them down.

Take clamps off the next day and a half hour later they were warped again.

Gave up after 4 tries.

[globalmark]

Hey Guys

No i like a challenge when comes to building stuff - am a cabinet maker so the wood work comes easy made table once for fun with 250 piece wood in it ..
i also made a yew bow before from a twisted bent stave and its not to bad 88lbs -

This Log was given to be by Rex Oakes a UK bowyer and he kept for 20 years so feel like have to try and get something.
worst can happen is it breaks and get some time consuming firewood - or will make some chopsticks haha

I will not even try and straighten the staves  - i glued up with tips line up through handle as best could so as long as tillering goes OK might get a bow .

FLEM - all my offcuts i cut 5-10mm then passed them through my Thicknesser down to 2-5mm (different ones) but none are flat or straight -but will use for something .

Will add photos as I go

[Flem]

Did you run them thru a planner or sander? I tried running them thru my drum sander, but it does not have pressure feed rollers and would just chew up the high spots. Maybe I should try my planner....hum

Roy, I tried steaming the crap out of these and clamped them flat. They also sprung right back to their original twisted shape. I did hand plane/sand some and once they got down to about .150 they were quite compliant. But that was a LOT of work.

[globalmark]

The laminates - yes i had the rough bandsaw slices which varied in thickness and just passed them through the Thicknesser - I didnt use a surface Planer at all as they were not straight enough - just through the thicknesser and every few passes reversed side of the piece - they still came out like Bananas but a even thickness banana and they are useable now  - probably could get them down to 2mm in thicknesser -
will need cutting and or straightening with steam but some pieces i could use under glass or bamboo straight away ..
or glue loads together and get a quad laminate yew bow maybe haha ?

The rollers inside holds the piece down under the cutters so don't need to be flat to go through really .

[Flem]

You will have to excuse me as I don't speak proper English, but what exactly is a thicknesser?

[Roy from Pa]

A thickness planer (also known in the UK and Australia as a thicknesser or in North America as a planer) is a woodworking machine to trim boards to a consistent thickness throughout their length and flat on both surfaces.

[Flem]

Thanks for the clarification, I was confused when Mark said he did not use a surface planer.

[globalmark]

Hey Flem

In cabinet making in UK and Australia yes -
A surface PLANER just cuts one edge perfectly flat and square and usually you manually push the timber through the bed (table) which has the cutter in it .
Where a Thicknesser has rollers that pull the timber through and holds the timber down to the table bed itself  usually with a cutter above the timber -

Is in the USA a thicknesser is called a Planer
What do you call a Surface Planer - as they are 2 very different machines do different jobs ??

[Fishinglink]

We call it a jointer.  Or people like me everything is a planer. English, the hardest language in the world.

[Roy from Pa]

Planers:

https://www.grizzly.com/planers

Drum sanders:

https://www.grizzly.com/drum-sanders

[Flem]

Don't know why I never thought of using a planer/thicknesser for getting lams close to dimension. Might have to put thin slats on a sled and sharpen the knifes!