bow limb wood choice question

[Zradix]

I did a few searches on this and was surprised to not find anything...

Thinking of having a 60" 45# @28" forward handle r/d fiberglass back and belly with wood core longbow made.
I'm not concerned with looks or color.
Only the physical characteristics (shock, speed, durability etc...)

The standard choices of limb woods for this bow are Osage, rock maple, walnut, & Red elm.

Walnut appeals to me since it's lighter and more elastic (density = .55 and mod elast. = 1.68)

I know osage is the age old wood of choice.
I'm thinking it might have more hand shock and slower speeds due to it's weight when compared to the other choices. (den .85, Mod elast. 1.34 )

rock/sugar maple works. I know that. Just don't know how it compares.Most elastic (den=.63 Mod of elas. 1.83)

Red/slippery elm I find interesting. (dens=.57 mod of elas= 1.54)

What I don't know is how well any of these woods hold up.
I also don't know what the lam thickness would have to be on any of these woods.

Meaning, a wood that is half the density but needs 4 times more wood to get to the draw weight would make a limb that actually weighs more.

Any help would really be appreciated.

Thank you

[md126]

of those woods i would use red elm first then maple, walnut, and osage.

as far as draw weight i go by thickness and don't know if wood density factors in too heavily. at least that has been my experience, although it's limited.

[Zradix]

Thank you for the response.
Why would you chose red elm first?

[md126]

no problem. i like red elm first because it is consistant and easy to work with, looks good under clear glass, and of the woods you mentioned, performs the best in my opinion. maple is a close second but red elm is a superior limb wood.

[Zradix]

Thank you!

[vanillabear?]

[Zradix]

Great link thank you

[eman614]

i am kind of fond of walnut. i have used it in several bows, and it does great.

[JamesV]

verticle laminated bamboo makes a good glass bow

[Sixby]

You do not have it but I would use brown actionboo if available. Second would be red elm. It is very strong and it also is tough and interlocked. Hickory and red elm and maple are my choices for curves. Actionboo for longbows.

[Swissbow]

Actionboo, red elm and maple are a very good choice. My secret favorite for a longbow with a mild r/d profile is cherry though. It's light and has very good properties. I haven't use walnut so far, so I can't tell about that.

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Andy