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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: bigcountry on March 02, 2010, 11:31:00 AM

Title: Is a power Lam needed?
Post by: bigcountry on March 02, 2010, 11:31:00 AM
I have a quarter sawn osage board 3/4" thick.  Going to back with quartersawn hickory.  Is a power lam needed?  Or just for looks alone?

My dimensions will be 1.5" wide at the end of fades.  Straight 1.5" wide for 6", then taper to 3/8" at the tips.  I plan on 5" bulbous handle and 2" fades.
Title: Re: Is a power Lam needed?
Post by: Apex Predator on March 02, 2010, 11:50:00 AM
Starting with 3/4" osage you will not need one.
Title: Re: Is a power Lam needed?
Post by: Pat B on March 02, 2010, 12:31:00 PM
No! Like Marty said, at 3/4" you won't need one. I have never used a power lam because I've always started board bows and backed bows with 3/4" stock and reduced the limbs from there so no chance of the handle area bending.
Title: Re: Is a power Lam needed?
Post by: bigcountry on March 03, 2010, 10:03:00 AM
Thanks guys, my last build, I had trouble around the power lam end where it feathers and intersection of the boo and IPE. so I was hoping to not use it now.
Title: Re: Is a power Lam needed?
Post by: No-sage on March 03, 2010, 10:31:00 AM
I use 7/16" slats and never used one.

It doesn't matter how thick your belly wood is, they're not needed.