Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: MAK on June 14, 2009, 01:56:36 pm

Title: ? about maple backing
Post by: MAK on June 14, 2009, 01:56:36 pm

How good is quatersawn hard maple backing?

Should it be thicker than 1/8"?

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: El Destructo on June 14, 2009, 05:28:16 pm

                    Excellent for Backing Material ..... And 1/8 to 3/16 is plenty thick enough for most Bow Backings

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: adb on June 15, 2009, 07:27:58 pm

As long as the grain runs horizontally, maple is awesome backing material. Actually, it's become my favourite. I've used it with osage, walnut, maple, jatoba, yew, and cherry. I was especially pleased with the maple backed cherry... it made an awesome flatbow. I do leave my backing strips 3/16" with maple, instead of the usual 1/8" with boo or hickory.

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: Craig/Fl on June 15, 2009, 08:07:07 pm

Where's a fella find maple backing, all I've ever used is hickory and bamboo, sounds kinda interesting.
Craig

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: NTProf on June 15, 2009, 08:51:14 pm

Mike, at Pine Hollow Longbows, sells maple backing strips, if you are not able to cut your own.

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: adb on June 16, 2009, 01:09:00 am

I cut my own.

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: elk country rp on June 16, 2009, 11:04:24 pm

8/4 boards aren't too hard to find with good grain. i buy flat sawn 8/4 & rip it down to quarter sawn strips. i run the strips over my upside down belt sander & clean them up a little with a palm sander. i've found the overall lumber quality much better in bigger dimensions. sometimes i even get a board nice enough to get a section with a chaseable ring for a selfbow.

Rob

Title: Re: ? about maple backing
Post by: adb on June 17, 2009, 01:00:29 am

I do mine exactly the same. Plain sawn 8/4 boards with straight grain, rip 'em on edge, and you have a backing with straight longitudinal grain.