Good Dimensions for White Oak?

[DavidV]

Hey PA, haven't posted in a while since I've put bow building on the back burner but I'm trying to get back into it.

Stumbled across a nice straight grained piece of white oak the other day and thought it would make some good sister bows. 4/4, 73" long, and about 4" wide. I've never used the wood before but I've heard it bends well. Not sure what design to use that would give the best performance and durability, pyramid or american longbow maybe? I'm aiming for 45# at 28" tillered to 30 since I'll give them away.

[Wooden Spring]

I'd start by cutting them to 68" long. I make my handles 4" long with 2" fades. Then for a 45# bow, I'd make the fades 2" wide, and then straight taper to 1/2" wide tips. Start the thickness at 1/2" and fine tune it on the tillering stick.

[bubby]

for a 28" draw I would go 64" ttt 2" at the fades to 1/2" tips and heat treat the belly good

[DavidV]

That sounds good, I'll definitely heat treat the tar out of it. Already noticed isn't like my hickory, osage, or plum... low modulus of elasticity, my other woods won't bend at all at full 4/4.

[Badger]

  David, if you make a pyramid 50#@30 68" long it should weight about 21 oz, if you start off at 2" wide and notice when you start getting close that it has too much mass you can start narrowing the limbs.