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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: bubby on April 06, 2009, 05:42:00 PM

Title: cherry board bow
Post by: bubby on April 06, 2009, 05:42:00 PM
want to build a 5 ft cherry bow lite, around 25#. What would be a good design, and should I back it at 60"
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: Roy Steele on April 06, 2009, 07:50:00 PM
Yes I would a board bow.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: troutremble on April 06, 2009, 08:57:00 PM
Yes back it, I think cherry is a little weak in tension anyways. I made a 66" cherry board bow and backed with rawhide. 60# @ 26". Turned out great.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: sulphur on April 06, 2009, 11:50:00 PM
definitely back it.  rawhide, hickory or maybe silk.  the ones i have made i used hickory.  its makes a good combo. 1.75" wide pyramid taper to .5" tips.  9" riser block with 2" fades.  just my opinion.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 01:28:00 PM
What draw length will this bow built for? For such a light weight bow, if the grain is good no backing should be needed. If you do want to back it for insurance, silk or linen would work fine. By adding a hickory backing you will increase the draw weight quite a bit.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: bubby on April 07, 2009, 03:02:00 PM
about a 24" draw length, it's for my wife and right now thats about all she can handle. Their is a little run off at one end of the board, but very little.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 03:56:00 PM
Silk or linen backing will give you a bit of insurance. You may find a silk blouse with a nice pattern she would like.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: bubby on April 07, 2009, 05:48:00 PM
thank's Pat, I'll give it a go. got two staves to work with, if it blows I'll have a spare.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 07:33:00 PM
Wrong attitude!  You have 2 staves to make 2 beautiful bows with!!!
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: bubby on April 08, 2009, 11:34:00 AM
sorry Pat,all I meant was I'd go for it without worry. Just get to work and have at it, sorry if that came across wrong.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: Pat B on April 08, 2009, 05:45:00 PM
No problem Bubby. I just try to keep a positive attitude when it comes to building wood bows. Screwed up too many trying to build them with a negative attitude.
Title: Re: cherry board bow
Post by: bubby on April 08, 2009, 06:29:00 PM
thats ok Pat, i'll just keep smiling, just ruffed in the cherry bow and a hickory one. time to get scraping.