Guess I am making now.

[mwosborn]

Have seen the saying "If you ain't breaking, you ain't making".  Well I am now officially making.  After making 12 bows from staves - all that shoot (some not so good ) and none that broke, I decided to try a board bow.  Picked out the best 1X4 8 foot hickory I could find at Menards and started in.

At 23 inches she blew....fortunately on the tillering tree!


I think I stressed it too much when first trying to brace.  Things looked good at 3" of brace.  I tried to increase the brace a bit and over stressed it and heard a crack - one limb raised a splinter and the limb separated along the edge.  Being stubborn, I glued her up good and backed with some jute.  Obviously it didn't work.  Well it did until 23" 

Going back to a mulberry stave I have been working on.

[kevinsmith5]

Is that drywall tape?

[Joec123able]

I can tell you right now part of the problem is you bought hickory heart wood you need the sapwood

[kevinsmith5]

I thought that looked awful dark for hickory.
The sap wood can make pretty risers.

[sleek]

I have made 6 all heartwood hickory bows. Only one out of 6 has failed.

[mwosborn]

I can tell you right now part of the problem is you bought hickory heart wood you need the sapwood

I have made 6 all heartwood hickory bows. Only one out of 6 has failed.

Always lots of different opinions 

I had zero experience with board bows but wanted to try one for fun.  Followed 4est trekker buildalong on tradgang.  Experience is a great teacher.

Is that drywall tape?

Nope.  It is woven jute.  Normally would not use it, but after my first crack I had to back it with something just to try and save it.