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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: LittleBen on May 22, 2013, 08:45:00 AM

Title: IPE Belly lam
Post by: LittleBen on May 22, 2013, 08:45:00 AM
Has anyone ever had an ipe belly lam chrysal from being too thin?

Whats the minimum thickness that has a good chance of surviving?

1/3 of limb thickness? 1/4? 1/5? Just wondering if anyone has actually had a problem with the ipe lam chrysaling or if its a myth.
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: Zradix on May 22, 2013, 01:19:00 PM
me too

I did read this though...from poorfolks' site
That he has made more bbi than any other type of bow.
He says the lighter stuff can fret.
Never had problems with the dark stuff.
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: LittleBen on May 22, 2013, 01:28:00 PM
Yeah I found that interesting as well. I've never seen the lighter ipe, only the very dark stuff, and have only made one ipe bow so far, which I promptly gave away to a guy who needed a decent hunting bow.

I've heard that ipe is actually a number of different species so I can imagine it may vary from one species to another. Although I've also thought that the light colores ipe sam harper shows in that page looks alot like cumaru, and I wonder if it isn't cumaru, because I know (personally) cumaru can/will fret more easily. Food for thought. I wouldn't be suprised if Cumaru is accidentally or wrongfully sold as ipe because its almost just as hard, just as dense, and much less well known, and its as least as cheap as ipe.
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: Zradix on May 22, 2013, 01:34:00 PM
could be.

I touched my first pc of ipe just a couple weeks ago, so I have no experience with the stuff.

Seemed sorta dark, but heavy and stiff.

It "shouldn't" be grouped with other woods though I'm sure it happens....probably frequently.

Sorta like stud lumber.."SPF" spruce, pine, or fir.
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: KeithG on May 22, 2013, 03:26:00 PM
How thick are you making the ipe? I'm thinking about making bow.
Thanks
Keith
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: Zradix on May 22, 2013, 03:58:00 PM
The average starting thickness seems to be about 3/8"
but depending on design that can vary.
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: LittleBen on May 22, 2013, 07:13:00 PM
I'm going to use .125 white oak backing, .125 tapered maple core. And a .190 ipe belly lam also tapered. Both tapers about .0025 per inch
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: Zradix on May 22, 2013, 09:59:00 PM
I just had one chyrsal.
the boo was 1/16 at the tips, 1/8 at the center when measure at the crown.
The ipe 5/16
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: LittleBen on May 22, 2013, 10:08:00 PM
Pics and specs? What happened?
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: Zradix on May 22, 2013, 10:10:00 PM
crappy ipe I believe.
No pics.

The ipe seemed to be very weak.
Chyrsals all over the place.
really weak draw weight.
Once I started scraping there seemed to be very, very tiny chalk like veins in the wood. Never noticed them when sanding.
Also seemed to be hard little bumps in the wood.
Almost look like little pimples or something.
Again didn't see them at all till scraping.
Hit the area with sandpaper and they disappear.
Scrape it and then you can see them.

I am more than bummed....
Title: Re: IPE Belly lam
Post by: Zradix on May 22, 2013, 10:11:00 PM
basicaly a 1.25" wide r/d bow.
66" t to t
9" handle
12" PL