Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: IndianKid on December 30, 2014, 02:29:22 pm

Title: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: IndianKid on December 30, 2014, 02:29:22 pm
So #1 went boom, and we'll on my way through #2  :P

This is from locally harvested Red Oak and is 71" long
After handle, limb is 1.5" wide gradually tapering down to 1/2"

Question is what's a good thickness to rough to before tillering ?

Secondly, since it's wider near the handle will the limb wind up
a little thinner there ?


Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 30, 2014, 02:46:27 pm
Remove material on the belly until the limbs bend at least a few inches, that is the thickness you need.
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: bubby on December 30, 2014, 03:18:34 pm
Are you using a straight taper from fade to tip,  red oak does like to be a little wider 1 3/4"  to 2" with a stiff handle but with a na style d bow u can narrow it up some, listen to pearlie he gave good info
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: IndianKid on December 30, 2014, 04:26:33 pm
Sounds like the best measurement I could
be given..

Yes, straight taper and
started out at 1 3/4 but
I goofed and drew line wrong :(

So now it's a little narrower than
originally planned but thought may be
a lil extra thickness might bring it back...

Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: bow101 on December 30, 2014, 04:38:09 pm
Dump the red Oak use Maple. Or use White Oak.
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: bubby on December 30, 2014, 05:20:49 pm
Red oak will make a nice bow, i built a pyramid bow for my father in law from a ro board, 35-40# i dont remember which, and the bow took little set and was fast as hell, while its not the best choice, it will make a nice bow, probably more red oak bows get built than anything else as it's a common board and easy to get, in California there's oak everywhere
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: bradsmith2010 on December 30, 2014, 10:16:50 pm
yes red oak will make a great bow,, :)
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: Comancheria on December 30, 2014, 10:49:18 pm
Indiankid,

Going back to what Bubby said about being able to get away with a narrower build if you go with a full-width, working handle, on the bow that failed, how thick did you make the handle itself?  And where did it fail?  Thanks,

Russ
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: Comancheria on December 30, 2014, 10:56:36 pm
Indiankid,

Going back to what Bubby said about being able to get away with a narrower build if you go with a full-width, working handle, on the bow that failed, how thick did you make the handle itself?  And where did it fail?  Thanks,

Russ
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: Badger on December 30, 2014, 11:16:37 pm
  If you go with a slight bend through the handle and 71" long 1 1/2 wide should be plenty for 50#.
Title: Re: Red oak self bow question...
Post by: IndianKid on January 03, 2015, 01:04:54 am
Russ, it failed mid limb (backed with rawhide) so not 100% sure if I had any tool marks.
What I think happened was there was a vein of sapwood here and there, though most was belly
side but see a small bit right under the back where it cracked... I ordered my x-ray glasses
and hope to never have that problem again lol..