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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: BHTGdogs on February 22, 2009, 05:27:00 PM

Title: Elm bow layout?
Post by: BHTGdogs on February 22, 2009, 05:27:00 PM
I have a 65 in. stave to work with and would like some ideas as to what is a good lay out to get a bow around 70lbs. Or a recurve in the 60lbs range. At 28in draw.
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: Pat B on February 22, 2009, 11:32:00 PM
Have you built a wood bow before? I see you have a red oak bow listed above. Elm makes an excellent bow, either straight limb or recurve. It would depend on your ability as to what the best design would be.
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: BHTGdogs on February 23, 2009, 12:49:00 AM
yes i have built a few got a hackberry static recuve and a couple board bows also got a hickory in the works. Just want to rough them out so they will dry faster and be close to the right dimensions.
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: Diamondback59 on February 23, 2009, 03:32:00 AM
id make a static recurve   those elm static s are probley the fastest  out there for all wood  marc st louis  hold s that crown also   and iv had the idea of a hackberry static  for a while now  how about some pic s of ur s id relley like to see that   brock
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: BHTGdogs on February 23, 2009, 10:06:00 AM
sorry cant do pix I only have internet through my phone.
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: Pat B on February 23, 2009, 10:11:00 AM
I would go 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" at the fades and out 6" to 8" then taper to 3/8" tips for the long bow and 1 3/4" to 2" out most of the limb for the recurve. Make the belly relatively flat for the long bow and dead flat with a rectangular cross section limbs for the recurve.
  Marc St Louis builds beautiful high performance bows with elm.     Pat
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: BHTGdogs on February 23, 2009, 01:01:00 PM
so start to taper 8 in from the fades?
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: BHTGdogs on February 23, 2009, 01:11:00 PM
also can I leave a ring of sap wood on the back
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: ChristopherO on February 23, 2009, 03:03:00 PM
Here is a thought, if you are looking to rough them out for drying purposes why don't you use the dimensions Pat gave above for the recurve and if you decide to go long bow you only need to take of limb width later.
I've not used Elm, yet, but with the hickory recurves I want at least 1 3/4" width.  The current hickory recurve with the sinew curing is 1 7/8" +/-.  I think Pat has hit it on the head.
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: Pat B on February 23, 2009, 03:12:00 PM
You should be using all sapwood. Is this a board or stave? If a stave, peel the bark and whats under it is the back of your bow.
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: BHTGdogs on February 23, 2009, 03:38:00 PM
its a stave  can i have heart wood in the handle i wanted to try to get o two tone color bow
Title: Re: Elm bow layout?
Post by: Roy Steele on February 23, 2009, 11:04:00 PM
I agree with PAT it should be all sap wood.His DIM.seams good to but I think you better start with 1 3/4 limbs.