Has anyone ever built a Maple backed red oak bow.  If so what were the specs and did it make a decent bow.

I built a 66" hickory backed red oak years ago and it still shoots well. It is 2 1/2" at the fades and tapers to 3/8" tips. Maple should be a very good backing for red oak.

I plan on using maple that is 1 1/2" at the fades.  Anyway I'll give it a shot.

Pat,  can you use a heat gun to bend subtle reflexes in red oak. Or does it require steam, this is lumber yard RO.

I've never tried either with red oak but you can add reflex when you glue it up. That's probably your best bet.

Yes! It works well really.  I finished a 72" long maple backed red oak board bow and it turned out really great. 

I was a amateur bowyer then so it's wins no awards for tiller and draw weight (around 25-30 #)

The piece of maple I used to back it wasn't too great either with some wonks grain but it held under at lower weight

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Turned out good.  Now go out and shoot about 300 arrows with it.

I've easily shot more than 300 arrows with it, it did take quite a bit of set and lost arrow speed but the materials are reliable and pretty.

Would love to see how you get on with your bow.