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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Hatrick on September 25, 2015, 08:22:00 PM

Title: Hickory Lams??
Post by: Hatrick on September 25, 2015, 08:22:00 PM

I have some left over hickory flooring from a home project I'm doing and was thinking about grinding some of the longer pieces into laminations for a couple of glass backed ASL and D/R longbows.

What's your experience with hickory for laminations?

Title: Re: Hickory Lams??
Post by: Krasus on September 25, 2015, 09:40:00 PM

Love it!  I use hickery for most of my lams except if I'm doing something fancy that I want under clear glass.  I have never had a problem.   :)

Title: Re: Hickory Lams??
Post by: JamesV on September 26, 2015, 12:53:00 AM

Hickory makes a fine laminated glass bow. Only problem I ever had using hickory lams was moisture. I didn't check the moisture before glue up on one bow and the limbs cupped in the oven. The bow still shot good but the more they cupped the higher the poundage went.

Title: Re: Hickory Lams??
Post by: Hatrick on September 26, 2015, 07:57:00 AM

Thanks guys, good to know. I'll grind some down this winter and try it in a couple of bows. Appreciate the feedback.

Anyone else use hickory for lams?

Title: Re: Hickory Lams??
Post by: jhk1 on September 26, 2015, 11:21:00 AM

I believe Kegan McCabe (Omega Longbows) uses hickory as his regular limb core material.  I know of several other bowyers that offer it as a limb core option as well.  I spoke with one bowyer recently (forget which one) that said he thought it gave a little extra speed in his bows that he built with it.

Title: Re: Hickory Lams??
Post by: Crooked Stic on September 26, 2015, 01:28:00 PM

A little bit stiffer. Will add some speed. Maybe on the tension side is better.

Title: Re: Hickory Lams??
Post by: eflanders on October 06, 2015, 09:22:00 PM

I love to use hickory lams in my all-wood bows!  I realize that you are making glass bows, but it is a great wood for making both.