Limb lamination material

[Mckenzie]

I am considering the use of padauk or bubinga as limb laminations for a glass bow.  Both woods are quite dense, so is there a significant disadvantage to using them?  They will be 0.115" butt thickness and tapered at a rate of 1.5 thousandths per inch in a mild R/D longbow.  

Another question, why is actionwood used so frequently in limbs?  Is it relatively cheap to produce for use in a limb where it will be covered except for the edge?  Does it have properties that make it a higher quality core material?  

Thanks in advance for answering questions of the new guy . . . mk

[PV]

Actionwood is very stable,reasonably light physical weight and consistant.All desirable traits for laminations. It doesn't "follow the grain" like figured hardwood stock.

Light physical weight in a bow limb improves effeciency and cast.

[Mckenzie]

OK - It makes sense that using consistent wood that doesn't have heavy limbs (especially in the last foot near the tips) is desirable for efficiency.  Thanks for your response.  mk

[Swissbow]

You can use bubinga if you want to, but only as a thin veneer under the glass and for the core use something else like walnut, cherry, actionwood or actionboo.

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Andy

[Mckenzie]

Thanks Andy - Actionwood and Actionboo seem to be coming up very frequently.  I think I'm going to try some as a core.  I've been avoiding walnut because it is so hard to find with a consistent grain pattern without the sapwood (at least where I live), even though a number of other people have praised its properties as a limb material.  I'll try to find some.  

I'm paralyzing myself with options!  The more I read and research the harder it is to make a decision.  Have a good evening . . . mk

[Robertfishes]

I have only used red elm or actionboo for tapers. I have some hard maple boards but haven't cut into them yet.. I get my tapers from kennym

[PV]

Originally posted by Mckenzie:
 

I'm paralyzing myself with options!  The more I read and research the harder it is to make a decision.  Have a good evening . . . mk

Fun isn't it    Don't wear yourself out
 :eek:  
Aboo and Actionwood are excellent core materials. Aboo will take more set than actionwood but that is the nature of bamboo. Walnut is also a good core wood. I use a lot of 1/4 sawn walnut as core lams.

Research is great but the time comes when it's time to put it to use. Many of us here use the SWAG method of reseach and development. A detailed log of each bow will show you what the materials used will do in your form.Very helpfull for the next one....
Good luck!!

[Mckenzie]

Thanks for the encouragement!       I think it is time for a SWAG build and adjust from there.  Good call on the detailed records - I'm on it.  Just ordered some actionboo but doubt it is going to be shipped today.  Have a good day . . . mk

[Canadabowyer]

A good way to do this is build the first few bows with the same cores and keep really good records. That way you build a base of stats that will allow you to make educated SWAG's about draw weight and preformance. I build all prototypes with hard maple lams and risers and black .040 glass. Bob

[Swissbow]

If you can't decide then all you have to do is to build a few bows and check out first hand how the different woods affect the properties of the bow... d;-D

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Andy

[Mckenzie]

Started cutting lams last night, and the ABoo is on the way.