I'm going to try my hand at my first R/D longbow. I have some 1/8" hickory strips for backing and I have a couple 5/16" strips of Ipe for the core.
Do you folks think 5/16" Ipe will be thick enough to hit 45# draw on a 64" R/D? I could add a belly layer but, then I'm jumping into new territory again which might be a bad idea? Any advice would be appreciated.
Rick
I think if you use a non working handle it would work but be sure to make your fades long or the riser will pop off. I would use a 16" riser with a 4" handle, giving you 6" fades on each end. Make the fades feather out to nothing. Build your riser with a little radius and it will help with the transition at the fades also. Make your limbs 1 1/8 at the fades. Post some pictures of the build, we would love to see. Good luck
James
Without a draw length we are wizzing in the wind. If your talking a 28" draw. I say you will be hard pressed to get a 45# bow with that core. Belly lam's are super easy and work great. I start with 1/8" hardwood backers and 1/2" cores be it osage, hickory, oak or Ipe. My bows all finished between 50-55#'s with little core wood removal at the fade area.
Thanks for the input guys.
Pearl Drums, Yes, 45# at 28" draw. Sorry I forgot to include that.
Would hickory be suitable for both the back and belly lamination's? And, would I need to taper the Ipe from the riser to the tips before glue up?
Rick
Hickory backed hickory is an indestructable combo with good wood. Belly tapering is a good idea if you want to put some good reflex in it. It wont bend nice if left full thickness. Taper it from 1/2 - 3/8 at the tips. Then glue it up to an 1/8 backer.
I dont know how wide your strips are but it doesnt take much ipe to make 45#. 1/2" thick ipe and 1/8" backer of anything will give you lots of practice on wood removal!!
A simple pyramid design should get you what you are looking for. An inch of reflex will give you a good 5 pounds more draw weight. Ipe doesnt need much.
Thanks for the input from all! My strips are about 1.5" wide so I have plenty to work with in that direction. Unfortunately they are under 1/2" thick which has me thinking I won't hit my target weight with just a backing.
I have 6-7 strips of this thinner Ipe to work with so I'm going to have a go at a tri lam. If it doesn't work out I'll chalk it up to gained experience and I'll have plenty material left to have another go at it.
I haven't built a bow in quite a few years much less a R/D so, I think I'll start out using the first strip to build a kids bow with some mild reflex/deflex to get me back up to speed.
Thanks again folks and have a happy holiday season! :thumbsup: