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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Axes bows n knives on December 30, 2010, 01:52:00 PM

Title: Best osage cross section
Post by: Axes bows n knives on December 30, 2010, 01:52:00 PM

Hey guys I have been making bows for a while now what do you think is the best cross section on the belly of a bow for a white wood bow like elm or hackberry and more importantly what is the best cross section on the belly of a bow for an osage bow with about an inch and a half wide back? thanx for any replies

Title: Re: Best osage cross section
Post by: Pat B on December 30, 2010, 02:23:00 PM

All whitewoods should have a flat belly. They are weak in compression and the flat belly will help distribute the stresses throughout the working portion of the limb. Osage will work with a flat belly but I prefer a slightly rounded belly with osage. It can generally take the concentrations of stresses down the crown of the rounded belly.

Title: Re: Best osage cross section
Post by: Axes bows n knives on December 30, 2010, 03:10:00 PM

Thanks Pat that explains why my red elm broke lastnight I had a v crossection on it