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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Crittergetter on December 20, 2013, 08:14:00 AM

Title: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Crittergetter on December 20, 2013, 08:14:00 AM
I will be finishing up a rawhide backed red elm bow for a Christmas gift for my father in law this weekend. 62" ntn around 45# at 28". haven't put it on a scale yet. its a really sweet shooter! I've got one more bow to build as a gift before me and Kenny,M do business on my lam bow! ? Is, has any1 ever done a black walnut backed with boo before? I have a stave I need to do something with!!
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: tenbrook on December 20, 2013, 08:43:00 AM
I think the Boo may over power the walnut to much.
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Bowjunkie on December 20, 2013, 10:23:00 AM
I tried a couple, the bamboo did in fact crush the walnut, usually right away. I had one last for about 100 shots, but then it fretted too.

The curvature of the bamboo limits how wide you can make the bow. The wider you make it, the higher the crown on the back. The higher the crown on the back, the greater the compression forces on the belly. IMO, you'd have a better chance with a thin wood backing strip... which would be flat and avoid the issues associated with the bamboo.
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Crittergetter on December 20, 2013, 12:48:00 PM
Sounds like y'all just save me a lot of time and frustration! Thx! I may just use the black walnut for a riser, then again it would probably look good in the ole fireplace!!lol
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Bowjunkie on December 20, 2013, 12:58:00 PM
Or you could use it as the core of a tri-lam with osage on the belly
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Bob at Work on December 20, 2013, 02:19:00 PM
or...you might use it as a center lam like I just did...hickory back and belly with walnut in the middle...kinda chocolate and vanilla...  :)
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: canopyboy on December 20, 2013, 02:31:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Bowjunkie:
Or you could use it as the core of a tri-lam with osage on the belly
I think that would be a sweet bow right there...
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Crittergetter on December 20, 2013, 02:49:00 PM
Hey, now your talkin! Ill see what I can come up with! Thx for the ideas!
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: soy on December 20, 2013, 04:43:00 PM
Just go for a walnut self bow...they shoot great!!!
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Pat B on December 20, 2013, 11:28:00 PM
Black walnut will crush itself it your tillering is off.
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: wakolbinger on December 23, 2013, 01:50:00 PM
I made a few that turned out but the quality of black walnut varies greatly. It def is better used as a mid lam and/or other lams...


   (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/wakolbinger/superlam/IMG_0309.jpg)

  (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/wakolbinger/superlam/IMG_0297.jpg)
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Tom Leemans on December 23, 2013, 03:54:00 PM
Throw a full length lam of black walnut between some boo and some osage. You'll like how smooth it is.
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: Crittergetter on December 23, 2013, 05:46:00 PM
Sounds like boo and Osage it is! Should I put any taper to the lam or run parallel? Ive only built a few self bows and a couple with rawhide backing so not sure. oh, bowmo, sweet lookin bow!
Title: Re: BBBlackwalnut?
Post by: wakolbinger on December 23, 2013, 06:47:00 PM
I just do a non tapered slat a little under 1/8" or less. One for each limb lap joined under the boo in the handle.