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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: 1oldbowguy on February 10, 2016, 11:36:00 AM

Title: Quarter sawn Sycamore.
Post by: 1oldbowguy on February 10, 2016, 11:36:00 AM

I have been told that Sycamore will make a good bow.  Has anyone used it before?  I have found some nice air dried strong grain in White Oak, Red Oak and Sycamore.  Could use some input about this.
Thanks.
   ;)

Title: Re: Quarter sawn Sycamore.
Post by: Eric Krewson on February 11, 2016, 06:35:00 PM

Copied from a wood description website. With a SG of 0.49 it would be in the questionable bow wood catagory. You need 0.50 and above.

Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

A medium hard wood with a specific gravity of 0.49

Sycamore can grow larger than any other native hardwood. Its wood is moderately heavy and hard but machines and works well. When Quartersawn (cut radially) it produces a striking ray fleck pattern that is reminiscent of snakeskin

Used by itself or as accents to other projects quartersawn sycamore will catch some eyes.

Title: Re: Quarter sawn Sycamore.
Post by: LittleBen on February 12, 2016, 08:45:00 AM

X2 what Eric said, although obviously he is talking about wood bows, and a fiberglass bow could definately make use of sycamore as laminations etc.

Title: Re: Quarter sawn Sycamore.
Post by: kennym on February 12, 2016, 10:36:00 AM

I had a board of sycamore , think I sold the lams off the good side of it. It was really cool looking.

Title: Re: Quarter sawn Sycamore.
Post by: mater on February 12, 2016, 07:23:00 PM

Ive made two, they are good bows. It is said to be a cousin to maple and acts like it. And quartersawn it has alot of character.

Title: Re: Quarter sawn Sycamore.
Post by: 1oldbowguy on February 13, 2016, 09:13:00 AM

Thanks to all for your help and it sure has lots of character mater