| From: Bowdil Bowhunter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
You guys mention a lot about the moisture content of wood. What are you using to check the moisture? Thanks.
|
|
| From: Kodiaktd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
Digital moisture meter.
|
|
| From: fdp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
I don't worry about it to be honest. I can pretty well tell when I start working a stave whether it's ready or not.
|
|
| From: Tucker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
I put a thermometer and humidity meter in the room I store the staves in. There are charts that show relative humidity vs. temperature. When the staves reach equilibrium (no weight change or sufficiently long storage) you can then predict moisture content from the chart. Reducing or working down staves with no bending and allowing them to sit over time brings them to equilibrium faster.
|
|
| From: Stoner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
After I cut & seal my staves/billets/burls/crotch wood/etc. I weigh it & date it. Month later weigh it & date it again. Repeat till it stops losing weight. Ready for bows/turning/carving. John
|
|
| From: JustSomeDude
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
I have a digital meter that I mostly use for firewood. To test a stave (or firewood) you have to test a fresh cut
|
|
|
|
|
|
| From: 2 bears
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
Never thought about needing to make a fresh cut but that does make perfect sense. >>>----> Ken
|
|
| From: Cowboy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
I've been using a Lingomat, with 2 lengths of probes for 30 years and it works. I do custom wood work for a living and have built a few bows. I'm not a bowyer by any means, but doing architectural millwork, and fine furniture we constantly monitor the moisture content of all our stock. I grew up in the deserts of AZ&NM, and now live in CO. I don't get the humidity that a lot of y'all experience but we look at all the moisture/humidity issues prior to finishing, delivery, and installation of any project throughout the country. I hope that this helps.
Cowboy
|
|
| From: George Tsoukalas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 29-Jul-17 |
|
I should mention that as I work the wood into a bow I keep checking right until the first stringing. My meter is a pin type which only gives me surface reading so that's why I keep checking. Jawge
|
|
| From: Bowdil Bowhunter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 31-Jul-17 |
|
Thanks for the input. I have seen moisture meters from $25 to hundreds of dollars. I have a pretty tight budget, are the lower priced meters good enough?
|
|
| From: PEARL DRUMS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 31-Jul-17 |
|
I don't use anything but good judgement and listen to what my tools are telling me. I don't think meters tell us the truth.
|
|
| From: Russell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 07-Aug-17 |
|
Dry wood feels different than green wood. Green is cooler. Also, staves sound diff when end bounced off concrete (osage).
|
|
| From: Arvin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 08-Aug-17 |
|
Most of the above. Arvin
|
|
| From: Osage Outlaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 09-Aug-17 |
|
I don't check the moisture level. I rough out bows from seasoned staves and store them in my house which stays 74 degrees and 50% humidity. When I'm ready to build a bow I know it will be plenty dry enough. Since I started doing this I have noticed my bows take less set and have better performance. Before I kept my roughed out bows in the garage where the humidity fluctuates quite a bit depending on the weather.
|
|
| From: MStyles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 09-Aug-17 |
|
Digital moisture meter.
|
|
| From: Danzn Bar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 10-Aug-17 |
|
Ditto what Osage Outlaw said... Season Stave defination is cut splt and sealed for about a year. DBar
|
|
| From: 4nolz@work
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 10-Aug-17 |
|
It's a good investment you can be too dry too!
|
|
| From: Arvin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 10-Aug-17 |
|
I've heard below 10 is too dry from a reliable soarce. But I have been building at 6.5-8.5 for some time with success. I don't know???? Arvin
|
|
| From: PEARL DRUMS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 11-Aug-17 |
|
Reliable source? There is no such thing in this hobby! :)
|
|
| From: George Tsoukalas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 11-Aug-17 |
|
I go with 6-8% for hickory. 8-10% for other woods. Jawge
|
|
| From: George Tsoukalas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: 11-Aug-17 |
|
Arvin, go with what works for you. That's what I do. I think at this point we both have built hundreds of bows apiece. Jawge
|
|
If you have already registered, please sign in now
For new registrations Click Here
|
|
|
|
