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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Alexander13 on November 21, 2014, 12:19:00 PM

Title: Apple staves
Post by: Alexander13 on November 21, 2014, 12:19:00 PM

My in-laws have a very old farm that's been in the family since WW2.  On the farm is a small orchard with a half dozen heritage apple trees, of various kinds.  After our massive ice storm last winter(Toronto, Ontario) we had a lot of pruning and cleaning up around the property.  The apple trees are so big and old that one of them became uprooted, but still alive and I was able to get a straight and undamaged 7 foot x 10" dia log out of it.  After I cut it and sealed the ends I quarter split it and have it drying in the tractor shed.  Next summer after they've seasoned a year, I am going to make some staves and try my hand at a self bow from heritage apple wood.
I just have a few questions, has anyone ever worked with apple before?  If yes do you have any suggestions or tips?  I've posted photos of the full log and the splitting process and I'll update the thread when I start carving them up. Hopefully I'll end up with something that looks and acts like a bow.
Thank for looking
Joel
  (http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/jralexander13/wood%20work/B91C267F-50B3-4F38-A664-AF4265EF194C_zpsklpx9qwn.jpg) (http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/jralexander13/media/wood%20work/B91C267F-50B3-4F38-A664-AF4265EF194C_zpsklpx9qwn.jpg.html)

  (http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/jralexander13/wood%20work/7f9d38b9-16f8-42fe-b44a-32fc10155d5e_zps1020a84f.jpg) (http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/jralexander13/media/wood%20work/7f9d38b9-16f8-42fe-b44a-32fc10155d5e_zps1020a84f.jpg.html)

    (http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/jralexander13/wood%20work/1E245408-7720-4148-8272-BF3F5C371D99_zpsqwdmapn5.jpg) (http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/jralexander13/media/wood%20work/1E245408-7720-4148-8272-BF3F5C371D99_zpsqwdmapn5.jpg.html)

  (http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/jralexander13/wood%20work/68187553-7FC7-42DF-8671-C1E1A551329D_zpsupswsusi.jpg) (http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/jralexander13/media/wood%20work/68187553-7FC7-42DF-8671-C1E1A551329D_zpsupswsusi.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Apple staves
Post by: Pat B on November 21, 2014, 05:02:00 PM

I've seen a few very nice apple bows but have never made one. Treat it like any other whitewood.

Title: Re: Apple staves
Post by: takefive on November 21, 2014, 05:34:00 PM

I've never made one either, but I'd give it a shot if I could find a stave.  In fact, I've never even seen one, but I've read quite a few postings that have said it's good bow wood.  Looking at the color in your staves, it should make for a pretty bow.

Title: Re: Apple staves
Post by: monterey on November 21, 2014, 06:06:00 PM

If I recall correctly, it has a fairly high specific gravity.

Title: Re: Apple staves
Post by: mikkekeswick on November 22, 2014, 02:21:00 AM

Apple is great bow wood. Elastic and has good density. From the two bows i've made i'd recommend roughing out only a little bigger than you would for an osage stave. It's quite a bit better than most whitewoods.
That's a good find you've got there! Mine were billets.

Title: Re: Apple staves
Post by: Alexander13 on November 24, 2014, 08:27:00 AM

Thanks guys,
I'll keep you posted when I tackle one in the spring/summer.