Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TreyNC on April 13, 2008, 07:45:00 pm

Title: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: TreyNC on April 13, 2008, 07:45:00 pm

So  I am back building bows and having some much needed sucess. I decided to make a lamination bow. I have an unlimited supply of red oak and some maple to work with. I just glued up a 1/16" thick piece of red oak to 3/8" thick maple(not sure what variety),  and glued on a maple handle. I am using urac 185 glue. the bow will be 1.5" at the fades to .5" nock and 64" over all, 62 n to n. Poundage will be what ever she will comfotably give me. Should I back this bow with rawhide? Raw hide is what I have on hand. I will be shaping this bow out tomarrow and could back then if needed. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions or obsevations would be greatly appreaciated as well.


Thankss

Title: Re: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: Hrothgar on April 13, 2008, 08:07:30 pm

TreyNC, are you using red oak on the back? Generally red oak isn't considered a flexible backing like hickory, bamboo, or even maple.  Probably is a good idea to back the oak with leather or silk, or some other strong flexible material. Hrothgar

Title: Re: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: El Destructo on April 13, 2008, 08:30:42 pm

I'm with you there...the Bow should be 1/16" - 1/8" Maple and 3/8" Red Oak...not the other way around....Red Oak aint too great in Compression....good luck

Title: Re: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: TreyNC on April 13, 2008, 09:21:52 pm

Thanks guys, I just thought I would try and find out. Thought maybe I would try the darker wood out to start. I will back this one with raw hide and cut out another the other way around tomorrow.

Title: Re: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: snedeker on April 13, 2008, 10:47:36 pm

if the red oak is edge grained totally parrelel, it will work fine with no backing.  Red oak is an suitable backing for maple. Your 1/16 over 3/8 will provide a bow with a relatively low draw weight.

Dave

Title: Re: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: TreyNC on April 13, 2008, 11:27:42 pm

snedeker, can you give me some ideas of thicknes to play with for say 55lbs. This was intended to be a learning project. If I reverse the wood species will this help? And how thick should the back lam be?

Title: Re: Do I need to back this bow?
Post by: Pat B on April 14, 2008, 02:04:10 am

Reverse this bow if you haven't gone too far bending it. Make the maple the back and the oak the belly. I have never used maple for back or belly but from what I hear about hard(sugar) maple it makes a good belly wood and a good back for not so strong belly woods. I have worked with hickory backed red oak so I'd bet maple would work very well with a red oak belly.    Pat