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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Chuck Hoopes on February 06, 2009, 11:14:00 PM
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Iam trying to get one to bend now. It certainly is alot more resistant than Hickory sapwood bows that I've made. This heartwood one is 1 1/2" wide to mid limb and tapering to 3/8 tips. It is plenty long -72"-- Iam just suprised that it is so much harder to get bending than sapwood hickorys I. have made that are 1 7/8 wide and 4" shorter (68). I expected heartwood to be stiffer of course, just didn't think the diff. would be as great as it is. Anyone else experience this?
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I haven't made a bow with heartwood hickory. It is very hard and more brittle than the sapwood. I have seen backed bows made with it.
Can you chase a ring on your stave? If not, I would suggest a simple backing of silk, linen or rawhide.
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I agree with Pat seen backed bows.I was told that it had to be backed.Never thought to try for it for some reason.
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I have one. Chase it to one ring on the back if possible. Mine shoots great still and it is about 9 years old. I think it is 66", 70# @28. Just have to work it in slow and it makes a tough bow.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Ive got it bending nice now-- It is a 72"x1 1/2" bow. I plan tdo back it with silk. Iam guessing that Hick. Heartwood would make lousy backing? - that only the sapwood is good for backing? Anyone?
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I just got done splitting a bunch of hickory the last couple of days and I got about a half dozen all heartwood belly splits out of them that look beautiful. I am going to chase a ring on them and try for selfbows out of them. They look just a tough to me as the sapwood staves.Dean
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i have actually have used heartwood as a backing and sapwood on the belly. made a great looking bow. poundage was in the mid 30's but it had about 2000 arrows through it.