Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: ZaneMyers on February 27, 2017, 09:43:20 pm
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Where can I get some Ipe to make a bamboo backed bow. I don't want a bunch just a piece or two. I would also like to know where the best place to get bamboo backings is. Any advice would be appreciated on how to make the bow. I have only done bows with staves before.
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Carson at Echo Archery.
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Thanks I'll have to order me some hopefully we'll see some bows in a few months.
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Carson at Echo Archery! X2
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Echo Archery ×3! Carson will send you a great piece of wood.
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You will love it. I think an ELB or ALB is the best design. 1" wide is plenty and somewhere in the 67-69" ntn range for a 28" draw.
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You will love it. I think an ELB or ALB is the best design. 1" wide is plenty and somewhere in the 67-69" ntn range for a 28" draw.
Man I can't wait to try a boo backed one. I might try local lumberyards though.
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Thanks everyone for the advice!
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I was just wondering would a hickory backing work? I think it would be easier to cut a hickory backing. It would look cool I think or should I just stick with bamboo.
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I was just wondering would a hickory backing work? I think it would be easier to cut a hickory backing. It would look cool I think or should I just stick with bamboo.
Echo provides ready to glue-up bamboo.
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I was just wondering would a hickory backing work? I think it would be easier to cut a hickory backing. It would look cool I think or should I just stick with bamboo.
Yes hickory will work very well assuming it is good quality.
I'm sure Carson at echo archery provides excellent material, but you might wanna consider just buying an Ipe 2x4. A 10 ft piece runs maybe $50 but it's quite a few bows. Maybe 6 or 7 depending how you build them.
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I'm sure Carson at echo archery provides excellent material, but you might wanna consider just buying an Ipe 2x4. A 10 ft piece runs maybe $50 but it's quite a few bows. Maybe 6 or 7 depending how you build them.
Just playing a little devil's advocate, as getting your own supplies is always going to be cheaper, but some things to consider about getting your own lumber vs buying from a reputable vendor:
1) Do you have the materials available locally?
2) Do you have the equipment (or access to) to rip your own boards?
3) Do you know what to look for in a board (not all boards are created equal for making bows)?
4) Are you prepared to spend a decent amount of time looking for proper bow-making materials? There might be a good piece of ipe, hickory, bamboo, etc, in the big hardware store, but be prepared to look through tons of boards to find the right one.
At the end of the day, if all you're looking for is material to make one bamboo backed ipe bow, I would just order the materials online. Since Echo Archery has been mentioned a few times, if you figure in shipping, you'll be spending about $80ish for the pre-flattened bamboo and an ipe board. While this is more expensive than just buying a good ipe and hickory board on your own (or finding bamboo that will work), you'll not only be getting Grade A materials that will do their job if you do yours, but you're also supporting a business that supports PA (and also is active on this forum as well).
Just my $.02, take it for what it's worth. ;D
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4) Are you prepared to spend a decent amount of time looking for proper bow-making materials? There might be a good piece of ipe, hickory, bamboo, etc, in the big hardware store, but be prepared to look through tons of boards to find the right one.
Eh, it can be that hard for belly material that's going to be backed?... ...
The grain doesn't even have to be perfect?.. ..
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4) Are you prepared to spend a decent amount of time looking for proper bow-making materials? There might be a good piece of ipe, hickory, bamboo, etc, in the big hardware store, but be prepared to look through tons of boards to find the right one.
Eh, it can be that hard for belly material that's going to be backed?... ...
The grain doesn't even have to be perfect?.. ..
how many lam bows have you made??? I can tell you without a doubt that you do need very good material for the belly of a board bow. If you use substandard material it will fail. Grain swirls, wonky grain, knots etc will fail over time. If the woods fibers aren't running parallel with the surface of the board the wood is weaker than if they were. The further they drift off parallel the weaker the wood is. The number is different flaws that will harm a lam bows durability is surprising.
You need to use the very best materials you can get or else you are on a road to nowhere.....and that means looking through lots and lots of wood in the stacks or going to somebody who knows all this and supplies good wood - if you find somebody like this their knowledge of selecting good wood is invaluable to beginners or anybody who just wants enough wood for a bow or two.
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While this is more expensive than just buying a good ipe and hickory board on your own (or finding bamboo that will work), you'll not only be getting Grade A materials that will do their job if you do yours, but you're also supporting a business that supports PA (and also is active on this forum as well).
Just my $.02, take it for what it's worth. ;D
I couldn't agree more Ty
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1" wide is plenty and somewhere in the 67-69" ntn range for a 28" draw.
Yeah, ipe was one of those woods that taught me to start with less! I would start 1.5" wide and 1/2" thick back in the day , plus a backing, and half wear out my tools bringing it down.
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Another question. What should I use to glue it?
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Uni bond, Smooth on or TB3 will work fine. I would lean towards the two epoxies if I had a choice.
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Im buying 4 -5/4 by 4... true dimensions are 1x3.5 ipe boards from ABS shipped at 150...I can rip these boards and get two bows per board...so 8 total bellies, no knots supposed to be straight grain will see when they arrive...hoping for the best ...gut
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Tiny pin knots can be trouble in ipe, and are difficult to see. I would suggest wiping them down with something to make the grain pop so you can better see any flaws. Sometimes I will use like a spray poly to bring out the grain
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0000 steel wool will shine it right up to. Makes it easier to read the grain and see imperfections in the lumber.
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well Im holding off on purchasing for now... guy said he cant guarantee straight grain boards... not sure if I should even try..trying to get a pic of a board first...
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I ordered my ipe from Echo..it is on way..guaranteed to be straight grain...think I made a good choice....
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You won't be disappointed in the quality of materials or the quality of service you get from Carson at Echo
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board arrived...grain....straight as an arrow....I swore I purchased two but only received one..so I looked at invoice.... MY BAD....lol...gut