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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Bobert on March 04, 2010, 07:31:00 PM

Title: white oak and backing
Post by: Bobert on March 04, 2010, 07:31:00 PM
I have a white oak board that is quarter sawn and would like to make a bow with it ,do I need to back it if I want to make 50# draw at finish?Any help will be apressiated.
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: Pat B on March 04, 2010, 10:24:00 PM
If the grain runs properly, no need for a backing. If you are not sure a simple backing of silk, linen or brown grocery bag paper will help to hold it together.
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: carver on March 04, 2010, 11:39:00 PM
how long a bow?  what style?  1.75" wide, you can make a 50# bow very easily, and still be fairly short...say, 62 or 64 inches long.

quarter sawn white oak is great for bows, and you can heat-temper reflex into it with a heat gun very effectively.  go for it
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: Bobert on March 05, 2010, 09:59:00 PM
I have the bow roughedout and it is 72" 2" at the fades and I the taper is 3/4 to 3/8.I just broke a blackwalnut bow that was almost completed and it hurt my head physicaly and otherwise lol thats why I am asking.Thanks for the input.
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: carver on March 06, 2010, 03:17:00 AM
2" wide is good, 72" long is overkill.  Go to primitive archer, search "white oak holmegaard" or "white oak recurves" by radius...that'll give you an idea what can be done.
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 06, 2010, 08:41:00 AM
Now, for 1/4 sawn you definitely need to look at the edge grain and it has to be straight. 'm a little confused as to your dims. If you left it 2 in wide at the handle and 3/4 in thick that's too wide. Did you narrow the handle area? Too what? Did you glue on a piece at the handle? Jawge
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: Bobert on March 07, 2010, 08:19:00 AM
Jawge the handle is 1" wide the bow was finished being tillered and came out at 45# at 28".It is 70" ntn and the best bow I have made so far am very happy with it.It will be given to my girlfriends son as he wants to get into hunting with pim tackle.thanks to all that replyed.
Title: Re: white oak and backing
Post by: Bobert on March 07, 2010, 10:03:00 AM
Oh and yes I did add a riser to the handle it was 10''x1"