hi everyone im a bit new to making my own bow having only ever shot them and given taster sessions to kids before so please forgive me for being the newbie :)
Im looking at making a two laminated 70 inch bow about 50draw weight and was wondering if an ash backed oak with a maple power core would be the right combo.
any advice would be welcome even on what to read
thanks
I've heard of many doing hickory as the backing like 1/8 inch thick.
Someone on here should know if the ash,would work,as well.
Probably.
Steven,
I'd say if those are the wood materials you have, I would use the maple for the backing and the ash for the power lam. I have never used ash for a backing. It may be ok. I don't know about it. I do know maple makes a good backing. If you had access to hickory it would also be a good wood for backing. IMHO
The only woods that I have used for backings are hickory and bamboo so I would not be much help.
I wouldn't use ash at all if it was me. Find some Hickory if at all possible.
thanks guys will go out and search for hickory or bamboo for backing. i have some oak which came down last summer drying which should be ok thanks again all
If the hard maple is straight grained it doesn't need a backing unless you are trying to glue in some reflex in which case you could use a strip of maple to back the maple with. For no reflex, but for extra protection you could use rawhide or linen. I have one ash backed elm bow that was gifted to me which has held up well, but never used ash as a backer myself. I have made a number of bows with hickory, white oak, and bamboo as backers with good success.