What have I done wrong?

[Scout Two Feathers]

Removed the bow from the form this morning, cleaned up all the glue drips, put on the tiller tree, strung up a long string and pulled, NO RESISTANCE what so ever....when I let loose of the string it returned back to its orginal shape so slow it looked like rubber. OK now the stats of this bow;
Length; 60" tip to tip.
Back lam; .156 white ash.
Power lam; 14" .470 @ center down to paper thin. Black walnut.
Center lam; .057 hickory.
Belly lam. .220 white ash.
With bow laying flat on bench it's flat [belly side] out to 14" then has a smooth curve that goes up to 7" from the bench. Riser not yet on.
Where did I go wrong?

Thanks
Robert

[Osagetree]

Did you forget to add fiberglass?

[Scout Two Feathers]

All wood, no glass.

[Pat B]

First I'd say your choice of back and belly material are questionable. Ash would be good as a center lam and hickory would be good as a backing. I'd find a better belly lam that was more compression strong. At 60" you are over stressing the ash, both on the back and the belly.

[Moen]

What type of glue have u used?

[Scout Two Feathers]

Pat would backing what I have with say boo help any? Or is it scrap?

Titebond III

Robert

[Pat B]

Boo will only stress the belly more. You could grind the back down and add a hickory(or boo) backing and grind the belly down and add a more compression strong belly....or mark this one up for experience and make another. IMO   Others may have other options for you.
  When building wood bows, whether it be a self bow, backed bow or a wood lam bow the materials used and the bow design should be considered before building the bow.

[Scout Two Feathers]

Thanks, I'm going to play around with it some, I started grinding the belly down already, will add some hickory, might even add some to the back. But when all is said and done I'll most likely just start another. This was my first time straying from the tried and true.

Robert

[Pat B]

Hickory is very strong in tension but not compression. It would make a better backing. Osage, ipe, yew or another compression strong wood would be a better belly choice.

[rainman]

Also add the riser into the bow before you start bending.

[dutchwarbow]

pics?

[Tom Leemans]

Hey, nothing is ever learned from not trying something. We've all had failures. You kind of have to ask yourself if it's worth the time spent "fixing" this one, when you could have spent that time trying another approach on a new one. You learned something, yes?

[Scout Two Feathers]

Added some hickory to the belly, I might just have a bow come out of this yet, whether its any good is yet to be seen!! Pics? well no... sorry.

Robert