short board bow

[Slickhead]

Tradgangers
Anyone ever make a bend thru the handle board bow 52-55"
around 40-44 lbs
I was going to attempt one over the winter months.
The bow would be backed with something (undesided as of yet)
Any thoughts from the experts?
what is the max draw length that can be expected and can it be done?
Thanks

[John Scifres]

Depends on the board.  Red oak will require a pretty wide handle and will follow the string a lot if it survives.  Good hickory less so.

Add sinew to good hickory and you can get away with a full draw (28") bow that will do OK.  I would not waste my time with sinew on anything less.

My shortest decent bow was a 56" sinew backed, rigid handled osage.  It is still harsh to shoot and stacks alike a beech past 25".  My shortest good bow is a 58" osage, bendy handled bow.  It is 60# at 28".

I once made a red oak backed red oak 48" and drawn to 26".  Glued in 3" of reflex and it followed the string by 3".  It was mid 40#'s in weight.  Very sluggish.

All that being said, go for whatever you think might be a fun experiment.  It's your bow after all.  Post your experiences.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I made a 60" working handle hickory bow, no backing. It pulls 50# @ 28". It took about 1 3/4" set after it got shot in. Johns advice is solid.

[Aznboi3644]

shortest oak I've made was from a 48" half inch thick 1.5" wide board.  Turned out about 40lbs at 24" where it hit the brick wall.  3" set and a broken limb where I wanted to see if it would pull to 25".

It didn't survive but it was a fun 3 dollars spent.  I shot the crap out of it before destruction

[JamesV]

Back it with a piece of .030 glass. build it 56 inch ntn with s stiff handle.

[George Tsoukalas]

Probably 22-23 in depending on the straightness of the grain. Jawge

[k-hat]

I'm no expert, but here's a 48" backed red oak bow i just finished:

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=007204

I've now worked her out to 60#@25" and about 200 arrows shot.  The set is maintaining at 1-7/8".  She is a SWEET shooter.  Truly hope she lasts.  

If I were planning a lasting shorty, i'd go with 2" wide on red oak.  Make sure it's as dense and straight a piece as you can find.

Good luck and post when yer done!  

[Slickhead]

Kevin thats a nice one!

[k-hat]

Thank you sir.  She may well be my favorite i've made so far:)

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!