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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: wyatts daddy on January 24, 2009, 12:02:00 AM

Title: working with curly maple
Post by: wyatts daddy on January 24, 2009, 12:02:00 AM

Here are a few pics of a bow I have just finished and I'm very pleased with how it has turned out. I want to ask if you guys can post your pictures of bows you have made with curly maple and share a few comments on what you use to dye the maple or darken it! What I did was apply some finish sand it off a couple times. What do you think?
Thx Bill
 (http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/wyattsdaddy_photos/dgshooter034Small.jpg)
 (http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/wyattsdaddy_photos/dgshooter033Small.jpg)
 (http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/wyattsdaddy_photos/dgshooter032Small.jpg)
 (http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/wyattsdaddy_photos/dgshooter031Small.jpg)
 (http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/wyattsdaddy_photos/dgshooter022Small.jpg)

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: Focusource on January 24, 2009, 12:46:00 AM

Beautiful. I would call that bow "Sun Devil".

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: kurtbel5 on January 24, 2009, 01:42:00 AM

Is that Paduak?
What are her spec's
That is a beauty!!   :clapper:  
         Kurt

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: mwmwmb on January 24, 2009, 01:54:00 AM

nice looking bow. is that in the mail to be delivered to Arkansaw??   :biglaugh:

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: wyatts daddy on January 24, 2009, 02:01:00 AM

The riser is a combo of paduak and curly maple with maple and ebony accents. 62" 46# 28". I'm still looking for your photos and tips on how to use the maple.
Thx Bill

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: SteveD on January 24, 2009, 05:34:00 AM

Wow That is beautiful. Great Work.

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: reddogge on January 24, 2009, 09:56:00 AM

In gunstock making we would use analine dyes to dye the maple.  I've used a yellow leather dye first and then a darker walnut dye over top and steel wooled it down to where I wanted it.

The tradional dye was aqua fortis applied and then heated to bring out the lighter golden brown and darker stripes.  Then kill the aqua fortis with vinegar to keep it from turning green.

Both of these will give you lots of contrast between the dark and light stripes.  The lighter stripes will turn a golden brown.  Maple finishes are highly subjective with some preferring a darker finish and some like the blonde looks.

Title: Re: working with curly maple
Post by: str8sh2ter on January 24, 2009, 05:02:00 PM

Bill,i beleive you could use any stain for the riser.I don't know how you'd go about trying to stain the limbs since the clear glass in over it.I'm told that you couldn't stain them first because of the oils in stains.It would effect the glue up. The same guy that told me that mentioned a type of pigment is used .you can talk to him direct.  www.lakesidearchery.net (http://www.lakesidearchery.net)  Lindell Beene Jr. is his name.He's been making bows for 30+years.