ELB out of ELC

[jimsbows]

I have a 6' clear 3" diam. heartwood piece of ERC, I have shaved off sapwood and intend to attempt an ELB from it.  I understand it is weak in tension but have plenty of sinew on hand too back it and can use either hide glue or tight bond to affix sinew.  What would be the results of a rounded belly yew design with a sinew back?  Will ERC withstand the compression forces for this design or should I either radius or flatten the belly? Need feedback.

[Pat B]

ERC will make a good ELB style bow. Just like yew, ERC sapwood makes a good back so on your next one leave the sapwood on for the back.  The only benefit on adding sinew to an ELB style bow would be for protection. There are other less tedious backings that will work just as well like rawhide, silk or linen.
 You can use a rounded belly but your tillering will have to be spot on. You can make it more of a deep rectangular cross section with a flatter belly.

[don s]

i posted about using cedar as a belly wood for an ELB just the other day. i read in one of the TBBs that cedar is good in compression. pat responded and advised me to use ERC as opposed to WRC. don