Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:06:20 pm

Title: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:06:20 pm
Just wondering who has exp with board bows, I have 2 ash boards and one hickory but they are quarter sawn and wondering if I can still make bows wit the quarter sawn, they were a gift from another bowyer and ont want to offend him by asking. thank u
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: JoJoDapyro on December 05, 2014, 01:14:27 pm
Chances are they are usable. If they came from another bowyer I would say you are fine.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:19:41 pm
its just ive heard that they aren't the best
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: half eye on December 05, 2014, 01:25:30 pm
I have made a lot of bows from quartersawn boards that I cut myself. I prefer the quartersawn layout. These bows were up to 70 pounds weight, never had any issues and when it comes to boards I wouldn't have it any other way.....just one guys opinion though.
rich
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: bubby on December 05, 2014, 01:29:52 pm
Quartersawn, riftsawn, flatsawn all make bows, get to work >:D
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:32:13 pm
Thanks Guys I appreciate the input I was also thinking of using the hickory for backing but haven't decided
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: DarkSoul on December 05, 2014, 01:36:54 pm
Quartersawn (as well as rift sawn and flat sawn) makes a fine board bow.
Neither ash nor hickory needs a backing, as long as the grain runs straight on all four sides of the board.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:42:41 pm
I know it doesn't need baking was just a thought to try and get a couple more pound out of the ash  ;)
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: DarkSoul on December 05, 2014, 01:52:00 pm
Is the board not thick enough on itself? What do you mean by "get a couple more pound?" That's a matter of tillering, not laminating.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: bubby on December 05, 2014, 01:57:58 pm
Yeah if you have 3/4" thick wood you can get a bow up to atleast #70
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:58:29 pm
Sorry fairley new to this, but will backing it not give me a heavier poundage, with same tiller just asking I don't know  :)
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 01:59:33 pm
the boards are at least 3/4 thick
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: JoJoDapyro on December 05, 2014, 02:03:10 pm
If you made a bow that had a 50# draw, and backed it, it would up the draw weight. But with a 3/4 inch thick board there really isn't a need to up the draw weight. My suggestion is build a bow that is shootable, and don't worry about poundage quite yet. Have you shot many traditional bows? a 50# traditional bow is a lot different than a 50# compound.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 02:07:30 pm
yes I have I shoot my buddys 55# right now but a bit heavy yet so I am shootin for 45-50# range to get started and yes it is much different than compound
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: JoJoDapyro on December 05, 2014, 02:25:40 pm
I just ask because some people haven't, and assume it is the same. Shooting a 85# compound all day isn't a chore, a 55# self bow is.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 05, 2014, 02:31:00 pm
yes I was surprised at how much stiffer the self bows are its a mollegbet design and shoots awesome
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 05, 2014, 02:50:07 pm
I just finished a hickory pyramid bow that pulls a nice 45# at my 26 inch draw. 

Like others have said, it's all about avoiding the grain run-outs ON ALL FOUR SIDES. If you are making something with a stiff narrowed handle, you will want to glue on a little builder-upper on the handle and fade out section, but 3/4 inches of hickory meat is more than enough to make a bow heavier than your shoulder (or mine for that matter) wants to pull!!!

If you live in a dry climate, the hickory will probably outperform the ash.  But both will suffer from humidity, hickory just hates to give back any moisture it sucks up from the environment, greedy stuff that it is!

Go for it! Post pics as you go!
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: bradsmith2010 on December 05, 2014, 06:50:09 pm
make the simple board bow first,, then try doing one with backing,,
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: bubby on December 05, 2014, 07:49:53 pm
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,35312.0.html here's a build a long
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/  and heres a link to jawges site, great info there
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 05, 2014, 09:01:57 pm
1/4 sawn works but check the edge grain. There must be no run outs. Thanks, Bubby. Jawge
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: BowBreaker on December 06, 2014, 02:30:06 am
I have an Oak Table Top, 1" thick, made from 6, 1" x 6" and 1" x 4" quarter-sawn slabs or slices.....would this make any good bows? I only paid $15 dollars for this wood, and it is 66 inches long, by 24 inches wide. I am wondering if this would be good Bow wood? There is a woodworking shop in town that has a band saw and would cut it to any width needed....Thanks!
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: eponym on December 06, 2014, 10:02:44 am
White or red oak? Both make good board bows but white is more resilient. If the grain is good then you'll be fine to make bows.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on December 06, 2014, 10:43:17 am
I love and prefer working on board bows.  I prefer quarter sawn.  I will NEED to be backed.  My favorite backing is bamboo but rawhide works well also.  Hickory works well also of course.  TB3 is great glue though I've been curious to try the Elmer's glue that says it is heat proof and water proof.

I currently use Uni-bond or Weldwood Plastic resin.
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: bow101 on December 06, 2014, 01:34:57 pm
I just finished a hickory pyramid bow that pulls a nice 45# at my 26 inch draw. 

Like others have said, it's all about avoiding the grain run-outs ON ALL FOUR SIDES. If you are making something with a stiff narrowed handle, you will want to glue on a little builder-upper on the handle and fade out section, but 3/4 inches of hickory meat is more than enough to make a bow heavier than your shoulder (or mine for that matter) wants to pull!!!

If you live in a dry climate, the hickory will probably outperform the ash.  But both will suffer from humidity, hickory just hates to give back any moisture it sucks up from the environment, greedy stuff that it is!

Go for it! Post pics as you go!

Do you have any pics... :D
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: Mooseman78 on December 06, 2014, 04:46:51 pm
thanks for all the info, I will hopefully be starting soon have to fire up the wood stove lol
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 06, 2014, 07:33:21 pm
I just finished a hickory pyramid bow that pulls a nice 45# at my 26 inch draw. 

Like others have said, it's all about avoiding the grain run-outs ON ALL FOUR SIDES. If you are making something with a stiff narrowed handle, you will want to glue on a little builder-upper on the handle and fade out section, but 3/4 inches of hickory meat is more than enough to make a bow heavier than your shoulder (or mine for that matter) wants to pull!!!

If you live in a dry climate, the hickory will probably outperform the ash.  But both will suffer from humidity, hickory just hates to give back any moisture it sucks up from the environment, greedy stuff that it is!

Go for it! Post pics as you go!

Do you have any pics... :D

Stained and first coat of polly-you're-insane put on it today.  Another coat of polly and a leather grip sewn up and she get's her own thread posted.  I generally don't post pics of my bows, but this one was for laughs and someone might get a chuckle out of it. 

Atta boy, Moosie!  Show that wood who's boss!
Title: Re: board bows
Post by: arachnid on December 07, 2014, 04:44:20 am
I love and prefer working on board bows.  I prefer quarter sawn.  I will NEED to be backed.  My favorite backing is bamboo but rawhide works well also.  Hickory works well also of course.  TB3 is great glue though I've been curious to try the Elmer's glue that says it is heat proof and water proof.

I currently use Uni-bond or Weldwood Plastic resin.

I use Elmer`s on al of my bows (thats what I got... :-\). Never had any prolems...

I HAVE made board bows with not-so-perfect grain on the sides. Seems to work if you limit yourselt to 1-2 runoffs... that is, of course, if you can`t find a prefect board.
Always look for the best board you can find.