i have yet to make a ELB and want to try. has anyone used cedar as a belly wood? i've read that it is a good choice for compression strength. the bow i want to make will be 70" and 40# to 45#. i also would prefer the belly to be deep and narrow. i have not decided on a back. any thoughts/suggestions. don

Cedar(I'm assuming ERC) should make a very nice ELB with a backing and especially that long. Hickory, elm or hard maple should work fine for a backing.
I saw and shot an all sapwood ERC ELB style bow a few yeasr ago and was pleasantly surprised how well it shot and held no set after resting a bit. I believe it was about 45#.

thanks pat. all sapwood huh? i can get 1"x2"x6'. i can also get 4"x4"s not sure of the length on those though. i'm supposed to go and check out what is in stock tomorrow. don

Be sure it is Eastern Red Cedar and not Western Red Cedar!

thanks pat. why not western red cedar? don

Not the same bow making qualities as ERC. Does make good arrows though.

and how does one tell the difference?

ERC has purple-reddish heartwood and white sapwood. Western cedar is kind of a light brown color, its the stuff you find at lowes and home depot that people use for fascia on houses.

thats about right. this is western that i found, so for now i'm going to do a linen backed red oak ELB. anyone know of a source for ERC? don