When working IPE wood does it have to be Quarter Sawn?      If you were making a tri lam bow that is.  Just need input befor I put money out.  

I myself always back IPE.  Not sure how you would tell its quarter sawn, as it doesn't show growth rings like our North American trees.  Guess near the equator, you got hot and real hot seasons.

I don't worry about it with backed bows.
I do worry about knots or strange grain.
I usually buy a 2x4 and slice 1 1/2 inch strips from the side.

Thanks much guys, I have found some at a good price even with shipping.  I think I will get some and back with Bamboo or Osage.

bamboo or hickory, white oak or maple maybe, unless you are going to chase a ring on the osage. osage is better served as a belly wood- a sawn osage slat  will break in tension.
cheers
wayne

Agree save that Osage for the belly.

Chris/Pearly boy, had a sweet looking ASL ipe backed with hickory.

Do a search and check it out.

Bamboo backed and bamboo bellied Ipe I made that came out a great shooter and I thought looked good.








Tracy

Very nice, KS..

awesome dye pattern- how did you do that?

K.S., that is a sweet looking bow, LOVE IT. and as fujimo said,"awesome dye pattern."

Thanks guys! The dye pattern was just using a cloth finger wrap going down the bamboo like close tiger stripe. It really didn't come out like I wanted but was still good and I like the color. I'll do better on the next one I hope.    :D  



Tracy

Tracy, if you use a rough cloth like a wash cloth, the little swirls of thread on the cloth leave a really cool pattern.

Your right Roy the cloth used makes all the difference, I will keep that in mind next time. Thanks!

Tracy

If you were looking for the Curly effect, dip a piece of yarn in the dye and lay across the bow.  Repeat until you have it a Curly as you want it. Let the stain stay where you put it for an hour or so to sink in well.  Then apply lighter stain to the bow and the "curls" will stay.  Works great on old "cheap" rifle and shotgun stocks also.