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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: arachnid on August 27, 2017, 05:44:00 PM

Title: What should I use?
Post by: arachnid on August 27, 2017, 05:44:00 PM

Hi Guys.
I`ve started working on a new bow (I`m not wasting any time    :D  ) and after grinding all the lams and getting ready for glue up, I had second thoughts about the woods I use for the core.
This is my tapered core, it`s hard maple and it`s not qtr sawn:
    (https://scontent.fhfa2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21078629_1437525886337131_2750944270014038779_n.jpg?oh=371d5adc9955a6c0b9c542400c3d48ba&oe=5A1663EB)  

    (https://scontent.fhfa2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21192006_1437525959670457_4988631979916558040_n.jpg?oh=9c2d0819dc6a61a87449e08a869128e0&oe=5A1ABF3B)  

Is it any good for a core?

I`ve experimented making a core out of a bamboo pole I have, ground it and flattened it on my belt sander, and thats the result:

    (https://scontent.fhfa2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21105584_1437525883003798_2630182463356674852_n.jpg?oh=ae796b9ae0ce0dc2600435d5d0b56aa7&oe=5A267AA1)

    (https://scontent.fhfa2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21105582_1437525889670464_1745226789239247952_n.jpg?oh=3f2ae961f76217898bae01448deb83a6&oe=5A23F872)

Quetion is, what should I use, the maple or the boo?

And another question-
 my stack is - 1.5mm thick veneer + 3mm tapered core+ 1.5mm veneer.  
 Assuming I`ll use the boo as the core, can I make the boo 1.5mm thick parallel lam as the core, and use the tapered maple lam as a "tapered veneer"? (hope that makes sense)
I just want to save some time grinding new veneers....

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: Mad Max on August 27, 2017, 06:58:00 PM

I can see that the grain line are 1/4 sawn on the hard maple. look at the end of the board, does it look like this ////// or ||||| both are good.
Use the maple.
vertical bamboo work's good too.
I think the maple will do better.
Look at the picture down the page.
 https://woodworking.stackexchange.com/questions/476/what-are-the-different-uses-for-plain-sawn-flat-sawn-rift-sawn-and-quarter-s

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: Pat B on August 27, 2017, 07:14:00 PM

Check the grain along the edges also. Dramatic run offs that way can be a problem.

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: Mad Max on August 27, 2017, 07:33:00 PM

Glass or all wood bow?

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: jess stuart on August 27, 2017, 08:43:00 PM

If glass I would use it in a heartbeat.  Wooden bow no idea.

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: on August 27, 2017, 10:50:00 PM

Yes on the maple...

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: arachnid on August 27, 2017, 11:45:00 PM

Glass bow.
The maple does have a few run outs but not drastic. Is it safe to use?

And, does it matter where I place it? I plan to place the lams in this order-

back glass
3mm thick Tapered maple core
1.5 thick Parallel walnut core
Power lam
Riser
1.5mm thick parallel maple belly lam
Belly glass


And while we're at it, what's the "rule" when picking wood for glass bow cores? (I know wooden bows need perfectly straight grain, but not sure with glass)

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: Bowjunkie on August 28, 2017, 05:51:00 AM

That piece of maple is perfectly fine. There are no rules. Use your best judgement.

For quartersawn, I like to see minimal runout, but a little is ok, especially in a glass bow with several laminations.

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: Crooked Stic on August 28, 2017, 07:06:00 AM

I agree that hard maple you have there will work fine
. Sometimes you can orient you lams have the run out going in opposite  direction should cancel it out.

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: on August 28, 2017, 08:21:00 AM

Good point Crooked...

Title: Re: What should I use?
Post by: arachnid on August 28, 2017, 11:06:00 AM

Thanks for the input guys.
How about my glueing order? Is it ok to place the tapered lam yp front and not between the veneers?
back glass
3mm thick Tapered maple core
1.5 thick Parallel walnut core
Power lam+riser
1.5mm thick parallel maple belly lam
Belly glass