Hard maple layout help

[Gsulfridge]

I have a 3" diameter sugar maple stave that is 56" long. What would be a good design for that wood at those dimensions? I thought maybe a sinew backed D bow?? If so, I have never made a bend through before and need some basic layout dimensions as to handle width and tip width. Please advise.

[aaron]

Sugar Maple specific gravity is about .55
My bendy handle Vine Maple Bows at 58 inches long have a handle width of 1 3/8, and a tip width of 3/8. I like them full width for the center foot or 18 inches, then taper evenly to the tips. the final handle thickness is usually around 1 inch or less for a 40 pound bow. Depending on your draw length, you may be able to go without backing.

[aaron]

when i make a bendy handle bow like this, it feels really wide in the hand. so I make a cork handle that makes the handle's rectangular cross section more d-shaped. otherwise the handle is uncomfortable in the hand.

[wood_bandit99]

I made one osage d bow and that thing is awesome! I made that 1" at the handle area but with white wood with pretty low SG I would do a final handle thickness of 1.25" or a touch more and keep it for around 6" on either side of the center of the bow tapering to 3/8" or more.

[Gsulfridge]

Thanks guys. 

[blackhawk]

How high of a crown does it have Greg? At 3" dia I'm guessing it has a high crown...and if so you might need to run the width past mid limb and closer to 3/4" depending on how wide you can go with it...the high crown might affect your width? Pics?

[Gsulfridge]

It is a high crown, as this stave was barely more than a sapling.  It is clean and straight.  I'll try to get pics of it tonight when I get home.

[Gsulfridge]

Here's some pics to hopefully help.

[koan]

Nice stave! I love my short lil bendy's but if that were mine i would split it and splice it...sugar maple is purty soft, IMO..... Brian

[Gsulfridge]

That's an option I guess, just not my forte.  I have never spliced one.  Was hoping to get a bend through the handle, even if it meant sinew backing.

[koan]

Then i would start with 1 3/8-1 1/2 wide, 3/4 thick in handle area, tapered to 1/2-3/8 thick at tips. Dont think you need sinew.. My $.02.... Brian

[Gsulfridge]

How about de-crowning it a little and then applying sinew?  Not sure if that would work with maple or not.  I have never worked maple before.

[aaron]

I'm sure decrowning and sinewing would work, but you'll triple the time it takes to make it. I still think it would work unbacked, but if you want to sinew back it- go for it.

[bubby]

sugar maple is a great bow wood, the s.g. is closer to .63 according to tim baker, I use a lot of maple for backers don't think you need to sinew it , bub

[Gsulfridge]

Thanks all. If it makes a bow, I'll post pics.