Hickory backed ipe guestion for the experts.......

[beetlebailey1977]

I have a perry reflex hickory backed ipe ready to finish and tiller.........does ipe do good with a rounded belly or a flat belly?  This is a American flatbow style design.  Also is there a specific tiller profile to go for with the reflex?

[Pat B]

Ipe can take a slightly rounded belly but be sure your tillering is good. With a stiff handle an elliptical tiller would be appropriate.
 How wide and how long is your glue-up? You don't want it too wide. 1 1/4" to 1 3/8" is plenty wide enough for an ipe bow, backed or not.

[beetlebailey1977]

It is 1.5" wide currently.  It is a rigid handle.....

[PEARL DRUMS]

Id go no wider than 1 1/8" if your bow is at least double your draw plus 8-10". Id also suggest thinning the back down to no more than 3/16" thick, and round those edges right off to.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,47203.0.html

[beetlebailey1977]

The bow is 65 3/4" long and the hickory backing is around 1/8" thick.  I plan to tiller it to 28" or so.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Might want to go a fuzz wider then, maybe 1 3/16. 1/8" is a good thickness for straight grained hickory.

[beetlebailey1977]

ok good pointers thanks for the help...

[dragonman]

in my experience ipe definately works best with a flat belly and I've tried both many times......although its easier to tiler a sligthly rounded belly

[mullet]

x2 what dragonman said, and be sure that there is no grain runoff or little pin knots. I've had them chrysal on very tiny knots.

[beetlebailey1977]

More good info......Thanks

[PEARL DRUMS]

Ive had good luck with semi rounded bellies on all my ipe bows. The tiller has to be perfect though, not just good. Good will chrysal , perfect wont.

[beetlebailey1977]

so proceed with caution......

[PEARL DRUMS]

Bingo. A good floor really aids in string tillering stress on the bow.