greybeard wrote:Looking good Neil, yew might be on a winner with this one.
greybeard wrote:
From the Wood Database;
"Comments: Although this tree is sometimes called by the confusing name White Cypress Pine, it’s not technically a true pine (Pinus genus), though it is included within the broader Cupressaceae family, which includes several genera which encompass the more general term “cypress.”
This Australian softwood species is one of the hardest conifers in the world, rivaling some species of Yew (Taxus spp.) found in the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, it’s forgivable that this “softwood” species is commonly used for flooring."
In my research into Australian yew-type timber, I came up with Celery Top Pine but I used the Cypress on the same weekend to (finally) build a decent workbench. As it happens, Cypress is the local, cheap & available timber. I liked working it so I thought I'd see what the properties were like, which lead me to the wood database...
Species Name - Avg. Dried Weight - Mod. Elas - Mod. Bulk
Pac. Yew - 705 - 9.31 - 55.9
C.T.P - 645 - 12 - 56
Aus. Cypress - 650 - 9.32 - 51.5
Eng. Elm - 565 - 7.12 - 32.7
I included the Elm because I recently read (in TBB IV, I think) that this is a species that, given no other timber to ever use, many 'expert' bowyers would pick. I thought it an interesting comment. Anyway, the 'theme' linking these is that they are all 'bendy' (low elastic modulus) with relatively high crushing strength (bulk modulus). Basically, the limb will bend/store a lot of energy for a given weight but also be able to withstand the compression forces that result from that. Looking at the numbers closer, does anyone else see just how close to Yew Aus. Cypress is? It's uncanny. Celery Top is only 30% stiffer than Yew but otherwise very close, too.
I classify these timbers, to myself, as 'soft (to work), bendy, strong', quite the opposite of Ironbark, Spotted Gum, etc, which are very stiff & hard to work. I'm not saying on is better than the other, though, just a matter of preference.
greybeard wrote:As the bow is backed was it constructed from a milled board? can only imagine what a split stave would be like.
cmoore wrote:Great work Nez! Bow looks ace
Was the Cypress from a board or stave?
Yes, the bow was from a board.
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$23.12 from the local hardware store for both, but I can get them cheaper directly from the mill in Narrandera. I bought them to send to Canada for a timber swap with a mate - I'm getting some Yew! You must think I have an unhealthy obsession with the species, but the truth is I just have a love for working it. My first, deeply cherished bow was made from Yew.
I have a huge Cypress tree with a clean (branch free) 9'-10' in front of my solar panels that I'll be taking down soon. It's difficult to avoid Cypress around here but not easy to find one that's significantly large enough for clean staves. Only problem is that it twists, but that's just a challenge to overcome. I've a feeling this stuff will take direct or steamed heat well, as CTP & Yew does. I think it's to do with the density, but I'm not sure. Back to the tree - when it comes down I'll be splitting it to staves (and a few slabs for tables
) I will be passing a few on. At a guess, you could probably keep the sapwood on and have the nice contrast, but it's just a guess.
perry wrote:Good stuff Neil, it's been a long time since I saw a Cypress Bow, excellent ! There is a simple elegance to a straight Limbed Bow that is hard to get past.
regards Jacko
Thanks, Jacko! I don't do a whole lot of straight bows but they grow on ya. Still not happy with the tiller - too much bend at the fades and the right, outer tip is a bit stiff, but I'll persevere. Overall the tiller is quite 'arc-ish', so not perfect but not bad. A lot easier when you use ground laminates!