Strolling thru the hardware the other day I was browsing the timbers when I noticed a piece of Meranti that had a nice close straight grain on it. I picked it up at a bargain basement price so I think I have nothing to lose.....
Has anyone else ever tried this timber?
pete
Anyone tried Meranti for selfbow?
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littlejohn
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:53 pm
- Location: sydney
Re: Anyone tried Meranti for selfbow?
Hi Pete,
The only time I have used meranti has been in cabinet making and wooden dinghies.
I have used meranti that was a silver/grey colour and was so soft you could dint it with thumb nail pressure and when ripping with a saw you got long fibrous strands along with the saw dust.
At the other end of the scale a 40mm thick piece red/brown in colour that I bought to use as the keel for a dinghy almost stopped a 10†table saw. The saw dust was as fine as talcum powder.
The link below will illustrate the scope of timber sold as Meranti.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_5444.htm
The following link will enable you to check various timber species for their properties.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_5509.htm
Personally I would be reluctant to try meranti for a self bow but what the hell; you have got the timber so give it a go, very little to lose and a lot to gain.
A pyramid bow may be a more forgiving style for this type of timber?
Hope the information may be useful,
Daryl.
The only time I have used meranti has been in cabinet making and wooden dinghies.
I have used meranti that was a silver/grey colour and was so soft you could dint it with thumb nail pressure and when ripping with a saw you got long fibrous strands along with the saw dust.
At the other end of the scale a 40mm thick piece red/brown in colour that I bought to use as the keel for a dinghy almost stopped a 10†table saw. The saw dust was as fine as talcum powder.
The link below will illustrate the scope of timber sold as Meranti.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_5444.htm
The following link will enable you to check various timber species for their properties.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_5509.htm
Personally I would be reluctant to try meranti for a self bow but what the hell; you have got the timber so give it a go, very little to lose and a lot to gain.
A pyramid bow may be a more forgiving style for this type of timber?
Hope the information may be useful,
Daryl.
"And you must not stick for a groat or twelvepence more than another man would give, if it be a good bow.
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
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littlejohn
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:53 pm
- Location: sydney
Re: Anyone tried Meranti for selfbow?
Thanks Daryl,
those are interesting links. I'll save them and check them out further.
I agree with you...this piece seems very light so I was sceptical but the grain looks good. As I said I go it for pretty well nothing. So
I might give a pyramid design at about 68" a go. Absolutely nothing to lose. Pete
those are interesting links. I'll save them and check them out further.
I agree with you...this piece seems very light so I was sceptical but the grain looks good. As I said I go it for pretty well nothing. So
I might give a pyramid design at about 68" a go. Absolutely nothing to lose. Pete
Re: Anyone tried Meranti for selfbow?
little john sand the back of the bow very smooth & burnish it with a beer bottle, to keep back fibers down. The pyramid design is a good one to make, very little thickness tapering, good luck..Roscoe
Re: Anyone tried Meranti for selfbow?
I've seen Meranti used for Selfbows, it fails under compression. So - make it wide, make it long, settle for a moderate draw weight and use a working handle If you back the stave you'll get away with bloody murder, the belly will fall apart but the bow could remain in one piece - enjoy
regards Jacko
regards Jacko
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "
- Charles Darwin
- Charles Darwin