a little advice needed

[natty]

i'm 17 and think to much plus not having experience results in creative ignorance .iwas wonderingif it be possible to biuld a sinew backed 1/4 sawn oak bow.60''/50#?

[radius]

you have come to the right place. 

With quarter sawn oak you can get a 50# bow out of a 60" stave IF the limbs are 2" wide coming out of the fades.  Use white oak.  I make several bows of quarter sawn white oak this summer and this is what i found:

1.75" minimum will get you a 50# bow if it's at least 64" long.

2" and the thing can be a little shorter.

No sinew necessary.....BUT!   You could do it, anyway!

[sulphur]

i've made one white oak bow.  it blew up.  however it was one of my first.  i think you could do 60" white oak just let it bend through the handle.  maybe 1 5/8 wide and slightly bending in the handle.  sinew could give you a stif handle.  how far are you drawing???  if 27" or less then you could do the 60" with good tiller.

[denny]

may I ask why the sinew backing. If you get a nice straight grain 1/4 sawn board 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide by 1 inch thick , taper the handle to the ends, it could easily give you a 60 lb bow. Also back with wood or hide, maybe. I would reseverve the sinew for a nice stave bow, raw cut from a tree.I have made 80 lb hickory bows from that demonsion, added a small board for th handle and shaped . Then added elk hide for backing for string follow, which was next to nothing. Good Luck Denny P.S>I for got the length is also very important. I have found board bows to be more stable at 66 inches or more. However with care you can get success with smaller.