Hey I was at the sawmill/lumber place the other day and couldn't help but buy some white oak and have it ripped into thin strips. Once I thickness them I think they'll finish at 7/32 - 3/16 thick.
Anyone have good and or bad experiences with white oak for backing? Grain is very straight.
Comparison with hickory?
I know this is good for backing, just wondering what kind of durability to expect.
Thinking about backing some Ipe, Jatoba, Osage, etc.
Thanks
hey litle ben i asked the guys on here about using oak and they said to back it with hickory.
hope you get an answer to this as it will help me too good luck
My experience has been that white oak is a very good backing. It rates as good as hickory or hard maple for me. One of the traditional bowyers bibles indicates that in tests it breaks after hickory. I can't remember which volume or who was doing the testing.
thats good to know i was assuming white oak to be the same as english oak that might be why the guys told me to back it with hickory (off to do some researching) :banghead:
I understand it to be a superior backing. right up there with hickory.
I have made selfbows from white oak and have yet to have one fail.
Just label all the pieces, Benny Boy:)
Any advice on how thick I need to go on a backing strip?
I've typically used hickory around .150-.1875" thickness.
The white oak I have is cut to .100-.125" thickness.
Will .100 be sufficiently strong? or am I better off at the .125" thickness.
I'm currently working on a 60" white oak backed Ipe with maple core. Will have slight R/D profile and forward handle.
You can cane a chair using very thin strips wrapped 360 degrees on the edges. I like it .075" to .100"