Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jacob1 on November 25, 2021, 01:46:08 pm

Title: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Jacob1 on November 25, 2021, 01:46:08 pm
I got some bamboo for backing and some ipe for the belly but also have some red oak that I’m making into a bow could I combine all three the bamboo oak and ipe because the ipe is a little thin only 3/4 inch  and I don’t know if it would come out the draw weight I wanted
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Pat B on November 25, 2021, 03:59:05 pm
You could build a 200# hickory backed ipe with a 3/4" thick ipe board...without the red oak.  Make a 66", 1 3/8" at the fades, out about 6" and taper it to 1/2" tips(for now). Use part of the remainder of the ipe for the handle riser and add about 3" to 4" of reflex at glue up.
 I would start tapering and tillering the ipe before adding the hickory backing so the ipe has a smooth reflex bend in the bow.
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Jacob1 on November 25, 2021, 04:24:50 pm
Wow I guess I greatly underestimated the strength of ipe
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Pat B on November 25, 2021, 09:14:42 pm
With a 1/8" backing the ipe will probably turn out to be 1/4" or so. Using the full 3/4" board you will be able to get the plain of the belly below the handle securing it won't pop off.
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Jacob1 on November 25, 2021, 10:04:25 pm
I have a big unplaned  bamboo strip that is about 2 inches wide so would it be possible to just split it in half and make two 3/4 wide bows?
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: PatM on November 26, 2021, 12:55:24 am
It can be done.
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Marc St Louis on November 26, 2021, 08:08:28 am
In this case it's best not to be greedy.  A 3/4" wide hunting draw weight bow can be tricky to tiller
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: bownarra on November 26, 2021, 08:59:15 am
Forget the tri-lam to begin with. Make yourself a simple dual lam bow. You will then have a working bow to copy. The core on a tri-lam flatbow would need to be thin or tapered at about 0.003" per running inch or else you could easily find yourself running out of belly!
You don't say what style of bow you are looking to make? Flatbow of some sort or a bendy handle bow?
3/4" wide is asking for trouble!
I make my boo backed ipe elbs 1" wide at the handle.
Title: Re: Bamboo backed bow making
Post by: Jacob1 on November 26, 2021, 09:11:38 am
I was looking to make a English longbow of about 60-80 pound draw weight