Gonna try make a Bubinga Bow - Advice?

Jomohr84 · July 05, 2012, 06:14:00 PM

Went to a local hardwood seller today, and couldn't find a decent hickory board for my next bow. So he suggested some Bubinga, and the price was right, so I picked up a Bubinga board.

Planning to make a longbow 1 1/4" wide to 1/2" or 3/8" at the tips, 66" ntn, 68" ttt. Any reason this wouldn't be a good bow? Any suggestions are appreciated, i've read that bubinga is good in compression, it is very dense, .80 to .94 sg. Am hoping to make this without a backing, is that wise? I know bubinga is typically used as a riser and tip overlay wood, but this is what I have to work with now, so i'll either make it or break it.

1025 vs · July 05, 2012, 09:34:00 PM

Definitely worth a try. However, I would not try to make a bow out of that board without a backing. Those wavy lines mean violated fibres. A rawhide or sinew backing would add some peace of mind. A hickory backing would be even better.

Jomohr84 · July 06, 2012, 10:52:00 AM

Hmm, thinking maybe hickory backing or clear fiberglass. This is a beautiful board, and paired with a lighter wood like hickory would make a nice contrast, or with clear fiberglass it would still show the beautiful grain of this wood. Gotta say that i've never come across a wood this dense, this sucker is HEAVY, think it may be at the high end of bubinga's sg.

Bjorn · July 06, 2012, 12:54:00 PM

Nice! You need a good backing for that board, bamboo would be an excellent choice.

Jomohr84 · July 06, 2012, 01:25:00 PM

I have never worked with bamboo, makes le a little nervous that I'd screw it up. I'll do some research though and maybe learn enough to get the confidence to try it. Thanks for the suggestion!

Jomohr84 · July 06, 2012, 03:23:00 PM

Well, just ordered a hickory backing strip, so that's what I'm gonna use with this bubinga. Keeping it all wood, not glass or grass. Nothing against bamboo or fiberglass, I will undoubtedly be using them in the future, but I feel more comfortable working with the hickory, since I've never used bamboo or fiberglass.

Saw Sam Harpers bamboo backed ipe build along, which turned out looking real nice. I may try something similar with the next bow, without the r/d, no plans to build a hotbox in the near future. My bows have almost taken over our house, so no more big tools etc until I have a shop, my wife has been very tolerant of me making bows in our living room, but I don't wanna push my luck.

else I might end up on the couch!

menatkin · July 08, 2012, 10:20:00 AM

Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Jomohr84 · July 08, 2012, 10:35:00 AM

Never worked with bubinga, so made this ring last night. Got to try out my homemade spindle sander for the first time, and it is going to be so nice for bows!

LittleBen · July 08, 2012, 10:16:00 PM

That looks like enough for at least 2 of maybe 3 backed bubinga bows. More if you laminate bubinga belly over core lams. Keep us posted!

Jomohr84 · July 08, 2012, 11:22:00 PM

Haven't gotten into laminated bows yet, really want to in the future, and will when I have more room to work. For now I'm just making board bows, and hope to start the next one on my days off if I have time. Did just finish a laminate ring for my Grandmothers 95th birthday on July 15.

It is Bubinga and some hardwood salvaged from a broken chair. Hope she likes it!