I found a lumber yard that carries hickory and I would realy like to make an ash backed hickory r/d longbow. But I dont know how to make the backing strips. Straight grain for the hickory? How thick do I cut them? can I cut them on a table saw? Thanks-Scott

I cut backing strips on a bandsaw but a table saw should work fine. Cut them 1/8" thick out of a straight grain board. I have found a little grain run out is OK but straight is better.

Because my band saw cuts pretty rough I run the strip over my belt sander to smooth the glue side, glue the strip on a bow then sand the back smooth.

1/4 or flat grain sawed? I have a nice 2 x 8 of pignut (smoothbark) hickory that I want to make into backing strips. Could cut it either way by making 2 x 2's first. My intitive thought was cut flat grain as close as possible to with the grain, but have learned that bamboo backed bows like 1/4 sawn bellys.

I have not done them on a table saw but it will work fine.  Get a good blade and practice on some scrap pine.

Depending on your saw and your tuning and cutting skills, the thinner the material, the better your finished result will be...especially with a bandsaw.  I would not start with anything over 2" thick.

I cut some strips on a table saw. You just need to be careful.  I cut mine closer to 3/16" and sanded down the thickness after gluing.  It worked for me.
Wells

I prefer 1/4 sawn if I can get it Shaun.The only hickory backed bow I've lost was a backing I cut from a plain sawn board I picked up at a lumber yard.

Went to the lumber yard and picked up a whole bunch of hickory and forgot to get some ash   . Any way would a hickory backed hickory bow be a good combo? Thanks for all the info I'm gunna get rippin.-Scott

Thats the  "BAD THING"  about the "Lumber Yards / HomeCenters"    , but I have to make a Day Of it, Going to Indy anyway.     Po' Folk have Po' Ways!!