Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: swimbill on December 29, 2010, 01:52:12 pm
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Hi
Just picked up several 1X4 Ipe boards 3/4 thick. What do you think the best design is for this wood ???. I am considering a flat bow or a pyramid bow. Any advice is appreciated.
Swimbill
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Go with a narrow limbed ELB. Ipe is a great wood, probably my favorite for bow building. It's just so dense and it doesnt take a whole lot to make a good hunting bow out of. What are you going to back it with?...
-Ian
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No idea any suggestions?
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saw em into 1/2 slats even 3/8 back it with hickory or better bamboo wear a respiator while sawing it or sanding ipe is very bad for ya and gloves while working it brock
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Ipe will make a nice elb but depending on the draw weight you are looking for they should be considerably shorter than what you would expect from a lighter wood. For a 50# elb style I would not go longer than 62". Also makes nice pyramids and any other style boy you may want to consider.
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If I go with a bamboo backed bow any suggestions on were to get the bamboo? I have some hickory but it is not very good. Could I use linen for a backing?
swimbill
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Knightd, good guy and good boo too.
Jeff
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Would Ipe work well as a hickory backed Holmegaard?
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swimbill, missouritrading.com has good bamboo also (but no ipe). I'm just finishing my first boo-backed ipe and hope to post it soon. Mine is a skinny pyramid, 63" overall, 61.5" nock to nock, about 1.1" wide at fades. 50# at 28". Glued in 5" reflex and it holds about 3/4" after tiller. If you've never used bamboo before, there's a lot to learn, I ruined 3 pieces before this one came out OK. I'm also glad I got a bench type belt sander, you have to first cut the boo to the bow shape, then sand it to a knife edge all the way around or it'll be way too thick.