Guys, is it possible to flip the tips of a red oak board bow?
I've made a couple of board bows following Sam Harper's site and 4est Trekker's build-along. They shoot okay but aren't very strong.
Thought I'd try flipping the tips on the next one.
Stan :rolleyes:
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,10377.0.html
Look this over, and you should be able to get as strong a bow as you can handle from a red oak board if designed and tillered to the boards potential.
What do you mean by "aren't very strong?" If they are not pulling the poundage you are aiming for, simply add thickness to the limbs. I've built oak board bows for a couple of my buddies that pulled 70#+ at 28". And yes, you can recurve oak. I find that adding an underlay after it's bent will help to keep it from pulling out. Best of luck! :)
4est I have made a decision this year to try and harvest my first deer with a red oak board bow to calm the naysayers (they are the ones using the $1200 bow guns). The one I have picked is one of 2 I made using your build along to a tee (not customizing it) It is 62# @28", I tillerd it to 30 but never checked the poundage should be getting close to 70. (ps the other one came in at 58# and now it is a two piece take down Goldwing side arm :) )
I suppose it is though I've never done it. The more bows you make the better your chances for making weight. To speed that process I recommend spending less time trying to increase the weight of a bow to making more bows. I should have listened to myself when I started. :) Jawge
Thanks, guys.
4est, My first bows were a little thin. Mostly I want to experiment and was curious. I also have several students that are getting interested in making a bow. We don't have access to a lot of power tools and I like keeping things simple.
Jawge, I'm beginning another board bow and plan to build many other bows of different styles. The boards are easier to come by and are great learning devices.
Jeff, thanks for the link. This is a great site.
Thanks, ya'll. I enjoy reading along and it always amazes me how everyone responds to help out.
Stan