Hickory Backing Slats

[Digital Caveman]

I'm looking for hickory backing slats for a purpleheart lam project.  I have a number of different items to trade, feathers and finished arrows to start with, but other stuff as well.  I have had a nice cow horn lying around ...

PM me if you have any backings and let me know what you'd want in return.

Thank you,

[Pat B]

If you can't find them elsewhere I think Mike Yancy at Pine Hollow has them. To ease on shipping have him cut them in half. You can re-join then with a scarf joint at the handle.

[Digital Caveman]

I saw he sells board staves, but I couldn't find backing strips, and I'm not shure about ripping and smoothing lams from a hickory board.  I may want to build a bend through handle, and so may need a single piece.

I did find some 1/8" hickory backings at 3 Rivers Archery.  They cost more per volume, but they are already a uniform thickness.  I don't expect the same quality, but I've read that hickory can stand a lot of ring violation.  3 Rivers is half a country closer, but the total cost per volume of wood is comparable.

I'm still debating between the two, it will probably come down to whether or not I can get a few good backings out of a 3/4" board with a table saw and rasp.

Thank you,

[Pat B]

I bought a 5/4" x 6" x 10' hickory board years ago and cut backing strips from the 5/4 side. I first cut the board to 6' with 4' left over and made bow blanks and backing strips from both pieces. I cut the strips to 3/16" and sanded both sides. After the sanding the strips were 1/8" or slightly less.

[Digital Caveman]

I'm not so good with a table saw.  The best I could safely do would be to rip the board in half along the narrow edge.

I mentioned the backings strips to someone yesterday and I heard hints today, so I think I know what I'll be getting at Christmas, we'll see.

P.s.  I do like Pine Hollow Longbows, I've used his takedown sleeves, sinew, and artificial snakeskin to great effect, it's jut that in some cases I can't quite afford his quality.

[Eric Krewson]

I have cut backing strips from a split stave with my bandsaw, I do have a jointer and would smooth one side and run the stave through my bandsaw against the fence. I would cut multiple strips that would be rough cut. After the first cut I would cut them a little thick and smooth the back and belly on my belt sander or jointer.

[Digital Caveman]

I have none of the above tools.

[Pat B]

You have to be very careful cutting backing strips with a table saw. It can make a dangerous projectile out of a backing strip. If you do use your table saw don't stand or let anyone else on the outgoing side of the saw where the backing strip can be launched.

[Digital Caveman]

You mean kickback?  How can it get launched in the direction it is being pushed?

[Hawkdancer]

Slats that thin don't get held by the riving knife and the blade is rotating up on the backside of the table - things can go out quite fast.
Hawkdancer

[Digital Caveman]

I see, thanks for the tip.

[Morgan]

Used to have a 1/2” x 2” rectangle hole in my shop wall from just this thing.

[Lumberman]

Hey tradcraftsman, I have Hickory slats, pm me if you are still looking