Has anyone used glass backing but left the belly wood without glass?

I was going to try it but if it wont work I dont want to waste the money.

thanks,

brett

The big problem would be the back over powering the belly, very few woods can handle it, save your money.

Ok thanks Dano,

I give the hickory a shot again.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=000100

from a few weeks ago...

I've made a half-dozen plus bows with glass on the back only.  It works fine but don't expect it to perform any better than a hickory or bamboo backed bows.

Built to the same dimensions as a hickory or 'boo backed bow it will behave the pretty much the same.  I made them with osage, Ipe, hickory and bamboo-flooring as the cores...the bows made with the boo-floor were duds but so have the hickory backed bows I made using the flooring.

I've used both smooth-on and Urac and each worked well...at least none have delaminated.  IMO it is a good way to make an inexpensive, durable bow.

**I used the natural "core tuff" glass and the last time I bought some it was only about $9 per.

I do this when prototyping natural bow designs.  First I make a glass backed/natural belly to test the belly and then a bamboo backed/glass belly to test the back.

Finally we build the bamboo backed/horn belly to complete the cycle.  Glass is a lot cheaper the horn.  LOL

The bows are not real performers but it does stress the non-glass side to the max.

Mike