Author Topic: Salt Cedar Arrows (Read 1566 times)

TheBowhunter · « **on:** April 08, 2003, 09:04:51 AM »

Here is photo showing a bundle of salt cedar waiting to be done.
one out to show what I had to work with the next was after the bark scraped off. it is fallowed by one that I finished a while but these will look this Arrow too.
it took a lot of work. Scrapeing off the bark, sanding, and steaming. but they are stought arrows I can see why some say they are almost like carbon arrows they are strong.

duxman · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2003, 01:13:45 AM »

What exactly is Salt Cedar? I have never heard of it. Where do you find it?

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2003, 01:44:51 AM »

I cut mine in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. It grows along the waterways in these states. I understand it grows in many other arid states as well such as Texas and other. I have seen it in Nevada and California.
I have used it for a long time now, when I lived in Utah I run around with a couple of Navaho's they introduced me to this as arrow wood and many other things one of them even made Self Bows out of them.

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2003, 01:45:17 PM »

go here to read more about Salt cedar if you are still interested it can explain it beter than I. http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/tama1.htm

duxman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2003, 03:17:01 AM »

Now that I've seen a photo, I know what it is. I have seen it a local nurseries. It is an unusual looking shrub sometimes planted in landscape plantings. Obviously it is rare in michigan. Is it tougher than Standard cedar? Heavier? As you know cedar is not the most durable wood but it is cheap and makes a good light shaft. I've tried some other hardwoods, hickory and maple but they are quite heavy. Very tough though. I bought some ash this winter but haven't fletched em up yet. Always looking for something new.

alpini · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2003, 05:20:56 AM »

Bowhunter,
Thanks for the tip. I never thought of it. How long for drying time? Is there much shrinkage in the diameter of the shaft? How much are you taking down during sanding?
I'd like to say that thats a dang good looking arrow. Good job.

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2003, 01:39:39 AM »

Well I cut mine in June, or July. I target limbs around 3/8 dia. Sometimes you have to go a little bigger in diameter because the tip will be smaller. One good hint till you get the hang of what you want is to along an shaft for comparison then make sure you cut about 1/16 bigger on point end of the shaft.
Then I only sand off about 1/16 to get them at the 5/16and about three inches longer than your normal draw length, I work on them throughout the year. It is best to take the bark about a week after cutting then I brush them in a watered down solution of Elmers glue hang them to dry for about ten minutes. This helps to keep them from checking or splitting, Then I let them set for about a month tied in a bundle.
This is where the steam and sanding starts. steam the to soften them up and straighten them out . you can go here to get a better look at the picture. I kept it small here so it would take so long to down load for those who dont use cable or dsl. http://groups.msn.com/WhiteTailBowhunting/selfarrows.msnw?Page=Last

alpini · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2003, 01:55:41 PM »

Thanks Bowhunter
I'm gonna cut some and try it. I was just thinking the other day how I needed to get some arrows and didn't feel like ordering some.
I like selfbow you made, I'm attempting a try at that too.
thanks again

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2003, 03:16:41 PM »

good luck on the Bow I know after you get it done you will like it alot.
as for the arrows them too the slt cedar wood is some pretty tough wood and make for durable arrows. let us know more when you finish it post some photos.
I will be down in your neck of the country here Easter weekend to see the daughter at Almogordo, New Mexico. then on into Las Cruces to see some more family members. I say this cause it the wife family.

Hawkeye · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2003, 08:15:03 AM »

Hey TheBowhunter, where you located and was wondering if you wanted to trade some saltcedar for some rivercane shafts. I have about 200 cut and dried that I'm getting ready to take to Mojam.
I cut all of my own wood and make Osage selfbows and use Ash, Hickory, Hackberry and persimmon. I just drew a Either sex tag for KS and will be hunting around Chase and Raymond, just south of Great Bend.

Have a good one.

Mike
Norman, OK

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2003, 11:33:25 AM »

Hi! mike That river cane sound mighty good. I live in manhattan about 142.4 miles from (North/east) Chase. I do not have any salt cedar left over right now used the last bunch up with scouts and some of the neighborhood boys getting ready for this years bow hunt.
But in two weeks I will have some as I am takeing my granddaughter back to utah and planned on cutting some on return trip as well getting some yucca plants to make some strings out of. How much salt cedar you interested in? shoot me an email we get can get more details that way.