Started working on an old piece of ERC that I cut last summer and then threw in the wood pile cause it had lots of knots. Dug it out last week and thought i would just try it for practice as I recently cut some pretty clean ERC I will work later.
Anyway, I thought I would get about 1/2 way to my 27 1/2" draw and it would break. (I haven't read too many good things about ERC other than it is pretty). To my surprise, I have it tillered to my draw length and 48#. It is 68" ttt. Shooting it just with the tillering string tonight it really is a quick wood and zips the arrow well.
I made it wide - 1 7/8" to mid limb and then tapered to 5/8" at tips. I made a rounded or crowned belly to save as much heart wood as I could - but most of the bow will be sapwood. The back is just under the bark.
When I started peeling off the "cambium" layer just under the bark I was surprised to find a pretty yellowish colored sapwood.
I think it is worth finishing out and backing with some rawhide I have.
Here are a couple of pics - it is still rough.
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/mosborn1007/cedar003.jpg)
left side has been peeled away to sapwood - right side still has a layer on top of the sapwood.
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/mosborn1007/cedar005.jpg)
lots of knots (i think 22 total) so had to use mostly a scraper and sandpaper to work the belly.
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/mosborn1007/cedar004.jpg)
rounded belly with just a bit of heartwood remaining.
Love trying new things!
Mitch
ERC bows are SO pretty as long as you dont ask them to bend.
I agree.
Awe the heck with it!!! Ask it to bend!!! (just back it first like you said )
Going to be a pretty one if it stay together ;)