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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Msturm on February 07, 2016, 04:17:00 AM

Title: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: Msturm on February 07, 2016, 04:17:00 AM

I got a couple sledge hammer handles, they look bran new, the grain seems good. They are Hickory.  If I cut off the tapered bit where the hammer head goes and do a z splice I think I might be able to get a usable stave out of them.
Anyone ever done this before?

Any obvious problems in this idea?  

Thanks!

Sturm

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 07, 2016, 06:14:00 AM

It should be ok.

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 07, 2016, 08:12:00 AM

TBM had an article about pick axe handle bows, maybe 3-4 years ago?

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: Pat B on February 07, 2016, 10:53:00 AM

It seems you'd have almost as much in sledge hammer handles as you would if you bought a decent stave or board.

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: mikkekeswick on February 07, 2016, 01:25:00 PM

I did it years ago when I first got into making bows because I didn't know where to get boards back then.
I made a 60# or so sinew backed recurve out of mine.
That wasn't the best choice of design for my humid climate but it worked and that was all I cared about then!

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: Msturm on February 07, 2016, 08:39:00 PM

Yeah Pat I would love to come across a real stave of hickory or Especially Osage, Just not quite ready I don't think. I inherited these handles from my buddy who is moving. I figured why let them become fire pokers when they might make a useable bow.?.. either way it will be good practice.... I am turning into a bow making junkie. Since that Euc. bow I posted a couple weeks ago, I have started a Guava, Red Oak is at tiller stage, I have  a BBH glueing up and now this...handle bow might be a takedown. I  went from 0-100MPH real quick.

Thanks Guys! (its your fault     :biglaugh:    )

Sturm

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: Pat B on February 07, 2016, 10:36:00 PM

I bet you could trade a guava stave for a hickory or osage stave from someone.
 Heck, give the handles a try. You won't know til you try.

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: M60gunner on February 12, 2016, 06:05:00 PM

I read an article about using axe handles years ago. Had to be late 80's. I spliced like in the Glen St. Charles video. After that I roughed out the bow according to the article. At the time I was into trying bow making. I ended up giving the roughed out blank to another woodworker. He finished it up but we lost contact so I never found out if that bow was very durable.

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: Msturm on February 12, 2016, 06:17:00 PM

Do you guys think I could get one of those take down sleeves from 3 rivers and go with a take down model?

Title: Re: Sledge Hammer Handles as Billets?
Post by: fujimo on February 12, 2016, 11:51:00 PM

check out how big jim makes his take aparts.
 he has a how to on his site!
thats my next two piece! if i ever get into my bow shop again!!   :D