building my first lam bow and was planning on cutting and planing down a osage plank i guess you would call it. i was wondering if i would need to have a solid growth ring on the osage  or if it would matter with the boo backing. planning on glueing in an 1"-1 1/2" of reflex. 66-68" in lenght 50-55#s. so any advice at all would be great

If you can, get Dean Torges' DVD "Hunting the Bamboo-backed Bow".  He covers grain orientation quite well in it and it is a great resource.

You might be able to find one in the Classifieds, or you can get one from his site:  http://www.bowyersedge.com/hobhbb.html

I used a stave for the belly on my BBO, so I may not be much help on the osage board. I would say as long as the grain doesn't run off to one side or the other you shouldn't have any problems.

The boo side won't matter cause it's glued, but if the grain runs off the side it could split there and go right through the boo backing? Just guessing on what would happen.

Roy from PA builds BBO's using osage boards for the belly and he just finished up a real nice one. I'm sure he can enlighten us on what to look for and what not to use.

You do not need a solid growth ring on the osage when backing with boo. I prefer the osage board to be 1/4 sawn for my bbo bows, but any grain layout will work. When laying out the bow with 1/4 sawn, layout the limbs so you have  minimum grain run out along the edges.

I agree with Roy 1/4 sawn is best, but other cuts will work.

Hey Roy,  were do you guys buy Osage lumber?  I was at the hard wood supply down here and he doesnt stock it...  Special order with minimum qty....  Is it local or over the net?

Thanks- Jerrod

Sent you a PM Jerrod.  Roy

semo hunter roy from pa thanks just what i neeed to know.