Red Oak Board Bow Buildalong

[smj]

I think I would suggest saving that osage board - I am sure that it cost a bit more than a red oak board or a hickory board - and do at least one more bow first. Actually, I have always felt that cheap is best while learning. I cut bows out of pine 2x4's and patterns out of pine slats while trying to figure out what I really wanted to make. It is your call though!

[Coca Cola]

It was certainly more expensive then red oak. The cool thing is that the person I bought it from said if I post a buildalong on his websight I would get a 25$ gift certificate to his store. So net cost of only 3 dollars if I do a buildalong. The forum is the bowyers den. I posted this buildalong there too.

Actually if you buy supplies from there he used to have a deal that if you completed a buildalong within a month of purchase he would not charge you. Maybe if you are going to build another bow you should check that out.

[smj]

Now that is some great input! I will have to check it out... (Of course, I have one to finish on this web site first!)

[Coca Cola]

smj said:

Now that is some great input! I will have to check it out... (Of course, I have one to finish on this web site first!)

I dont know if he is still doing it but its still kind of a cool website.

[Coca Cola]

Ok I picked up a hickory 1X2X6 and 1X2X8. I am not happy though. the 6 foot one broke in the car ride home. I think the heat from the car made it split about 3/8 the way down. And the 8 foot board has mediocre grain. The place I chose from didnt have very good boards.

Do you think I could make a mini bow to mess around with with the split piece?

Also I am definately going to need to back the 8 foot board. But with what?. I dont want to spend 20 some odd bucks on bamboo for a bow that is unlikely to survive. ( the 8 foot piece has marginal grain and at least 5 small knots) I will put up pics later. I have to go to drivers ed.

[Coca Cola]

The 1x2x6 has 56 inches of board to work with. What should I do? Is that enough?

[easternhunter]

Cut it in two and do a Z splice in the middle to make a board long enough to use...That's what I did with my Jatoba flooring...People do it all the time.

[smj]

Z splice to join parts for a longer bow would be the easier way to go.
Bows are made at 56 inches - but that is a very short bow. If I can get the time, I'll see about looking up some specs for a shorter bow like that. You'd probably want a wide limb to help with the stress, and flex through the grip for a circular arc. You could end up draw length limited, but it can certainly be done.

[Coca Cola]

This piece of wood is in the corner now. I came back from spring break and it got about 6 more inches of crack. I have cut part of it off and used it for sort of making a pseudo work bench. Until summer I have to use an old card table to work on.