Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stringstretcher on January 16, 2008, 09:13:43 pm

Title: Curly maple ?
Post by: stringstretcher on January 16, 2008, 09:13:43 pm

Has anyone ever tried using curly maple as a core and bellly wood backed with bamboo???  I have a friend ask me if we could laminate one up like that and I have no idea if the curly maple will hold up.  Anyone tried this?

Title: Re: Curly maple ?
Post by: Pat B on January 17, 2008, 01:05:48 am

Irregular and swirling grain is what makes maple(and other woods) curly. If the stave is a board then the grain has been violated many times along the staves length. It might work as a core woos but you won't be able to see the beautiful grain so why waste the curly maple. Save it for a bow or arrow rack and find something else for a bow.    Pat

Title: Re: Curly maple ?
Post by: Ryano on January 17, 2008, 01:16:17 am

Pat is right. Its grain is seriously violated but I think the right piece could work with a backing if you pretaper the belly and don't get crazy with deflex/reflex at glue up. Remember your bending the wood before the backing is glued on with a perry reflex design, the thiner the belly is the easier it will bend and hopefuly not break.