|
Post by Mebyon on Jan 2, 2005 16:37:18 GMT -5
Just thought I'd mention what I got for Christmas. A six foot yew branch! Six inches diameter and fairly straight. Just needs to season for twelve months! The problem was that I was given it in France, like 700km from my house in Portugal so I drove back with the thing tied on the roof rack. Got some very funny looks when we stopped for petrol. ;D
In the mean time Regan, I'm thinking of trying a piece of eucalyptus to make that long bow. It seems tough enough and I've got plenty well seasoned; - I'll let you know how I get on.
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Jan 2, 2005 17:21:32 GMT -5
How's your camera? any chance of a before pic
|
|
|
Post by Bravo 1 on Jan 2, 2005 20:42:33 GMT -5
6 inches of yew ? ;D Good for you! (erm...yeah, bad pun) Odd looks? ...that was your Christmas tree ...when we went through security on the way home from Italy, we had to spend 15 minutes explaining what a crossbow was...the funny thing was that I don't think they understood as I was able to take it (disassembled, though assembling takes seconds) with me...
|
|
Regan
Timeworn
Ancient
Must Try Harder
Posts: 2,382
|
Post by Regan on Jan 3, 2005 5:27:27 GMT -5
I'm not too sure about eucalyptus, isn't it rather splintery? I've never worked with it (I suspect my mother would slaughter me if I cut ours down) You should be able to get 4 out of that yew, providing it's straight enough ;D
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Jan 3, 2005 18:50:47 GMT -5
I'll have the digital camera back by the time I get round to the Yewl Log. I think it may be a bit bent to get more than one or two bows out of it but, when I get a cemera I'll post a piccie of the log.
As far as the eucalyptus is concerned, it's more sort of stringy than splintery. I've managed to split a chunk down into three lengths, the only problem is that they're a bit short, (5 foot rather than 5'6"), but they'll do for a first effort. Again, piccies will follow.
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Jan 25, 2005 17:04:10 GMT -5
Progress report. There is none! The eucalyptus sections I split out of the log have warped all over the place. I suspect any bow made from those would be good for shooting round corners!
The digital camera, which made it's way by hitch-hiking across France and Spain has now developed a 'let's flatten the battery in 10 seconds' syndrome. (Therefore no photos of a Yewl Log.) I've now left the camera in the care of a man called Jesus. I'm expecting great things, like never needing a battery again! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Jan 25, 2005 17:07:12 GMT -5
It's just not your week is it ;D Well let's hope Jesus can sort you out
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Jan 25, 2005 17:24:40 GMT -5
No chance for this poor sinner!
|
|
Regan
Timeworn
Ancient
Must Try Harder
Posts: 2,382
|
Post by Regan on Jan 25, 2005 17:48:34 GMT -5
Jesus :laugh4: You gotta love catholicism
How seasoned was the eucalyptus? It's best to dry it very very slowly. A few miles away from here there's a sawmill and they hose their woodstacks down 4 times a day in the dry season. And I know for a fact it's extremely dry in Portugal this winter.
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Jan 25, 2005 19:07:54 GMT -5
That was a very old pole Regan. I bought a load of eucalyptus trunks about five years ago to rebuild a barn roof. That was one that didn't get used and has been hanging about since then. I chose it because it was perfectly straight but when I split it down into staves it bent all over the place. I guess the stresses were all balanced out when it was just one thick chunk?
The Yewl Log is under cover, in the shade. It's quite damp down there by the lime-kiln so I 'spect it's in the right place. You're right about the lack of rain this winter but the dew forms every night and we still have green stuff coming up. They forecast a wet February here but, as they can't get the forecast right even one day ahead, I'm not expecting rain!
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Feb 11, 2005 15:44:03 GMT -5
A visitation from Jesus today! Camera returned, working perfectly, no charge, ("It was interesting", he said), that is a miracle! ;D Photos yet to be taken. New attempt a eucalyptus staves much straighter. Be back later. This post was brought to you by the Let's Instigate the Long Lost Interest in the Promotion of the Use of Telegraphese Society, (LILLIPUTS)
|
|
|
Post by Calislahn on Feb 11, 2005 15:45:50 GMT -5
:laugh4: You do make me laugh :laugh4:
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Feb 11, 2005 15:48:57 GMT -5
Bows with a flourish. Thank you madam!
|
|
|
Post by Bravo 1 on Feb 11, 2005 15:51:39 GMT -5
I've no clue what telegraphese is...but the way you spoke of your 'miraculous' guest got a laugh out of me :laugh4:
|
|
|
Post by Mebyon on Feb 11, 2005 17:46:08 GMT -5
Telegraphese. Good when in haste.
Like telegraph. Short. Like "You want kid, we want money, send money else no kid!"
Found myself talking like that in post Brav. Know me, normally long winded! ;D
|
|