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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: mark Willoughby on February 18, 2016, 10:11:00 PM

Title: Black walnut ?
Post by: mark Willoughby on February 18, 2016, 10:11:00 PM
Tell me about this wood .. Is it good bow wood or a heart break waiting to happen any do's or donts with it all input appreciated
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: KenH on February 18, 2016, 10:31:00 PM
Not  great bow wood, certainly, but OK in its place.  Depends on your application.  

As a self-bow ... not so much.  

As one lam among other better woods in a wood-wood composite, it's OK.

As one of a series of lams with fiberglass back and belly it's a nice color (the fiberglass provides 88% of the strength of a wood-glass composite bow..
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: Krasus on February 19, 2016, 12:30:00 AM
I like to use it in risers but not much else. Stained up with gun stock oil looks gorgeous.
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: Pheonixarcher on February 19, 2016, 05:39:00 AM
I use it in risers, overlays, accent stripes and veneers. I've heard it makes good core material when backed and faced with fiberglass or other better suited bow woods, but have yet to try that for myself. It's rather easy to work with, and looks great under finish. Curly, burl, or crotch material looks exceptionally stunning, but can be brittle and splinter easily.
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 19, 2016, 06:28:00 AM
I've used it as a core lam between Osage and bamboo. Gives a nice color contrast. Used it in risers too, kind of open grain wood. Curly walnut makes a beautiful riser.
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: Wolftrail on February 19, 2016, 11:17:00 AM
I have used it between maple for a power lam.  So far no problems over 350 shots..

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=013453
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: chackworth3 on February 19, 2016, 11:26:00 AM
I have used it as veneers and in risers that I reinforced with glass with no issues. I have also heard it makes a really good core wood with fiberglass bows because it is light but I have never used it. If you get a nice piece of burl or curly stuff it looks great under glass
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: David Flanrey on February 19, 2016, 12:03:00 PM
I have used it as core wood in glass long bows and have had very good success.  I also have used it in risers and as veneers.

I used it a couple times as belly wood in trilam and both failed.
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: breazyears on February 19, 2016, 04:24:00 PM
What kenh said.lol.
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: Walt Francis on February 19, 2016, 04:47:00 PM
I have used it for both veneers and risers in glass bows without any problems.  I highly recommend you use some stronger material/wood for stripes/support in the riser.  I had a custom Marriah built by Rick and insisted it not have anythig but a solid piece of walnut, despite his warnings and knowing up front he wouldn't warranty it.   You can guess what happened 9 months later, it cracked.  He made me another one at a discount and refused to take full payment for it.
Title: Re: Black walnut ?
Post by: mark Willoughby on February 19, 2016, 07:53:00 PM
Thanks for all the input guys