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Author Topic: Advice on first wood-backed bow?  (Read 3639 times)

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Offline upstatenybowyer

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Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« on: December 21, 2016, 06:04:06 pm »
Hello all,

I've never backed a bow with wood before, so I was hoping to get some insight from those of you who have.

I'd like to make a 60" bend-through-the-handle r/d bow with ERC on the belly and white ash on the back. What thickness would you recommend for both woods? I made a simple r/d caul with wood blocks screwed into a long plank of pine and was thinking I'd get the two pieces roughed out, glue them together, wrap them with duct tape and bend them into the form. Does this even make sense?

Thanks
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Offline bubby

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2016, 07:52:17 pm »
Get some bike innertubes, i get them free at bike shops you can use them as your clamps they work great. I just cut the section with the valve stem out
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline gfugal

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2016, 09:39:11 pm »
I actually have a question on the innertube method too. Can someone post a picture of how it works.i'm just wondering how many tubes you need.if you do the whole tube or do you split the tube into sections. I also wonder how you fasten it to the bow. With clamps, dowels, or what.
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Greg,
No risk, no gain. Expand the mold and try new things.

Offline Pat B

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2016, 11:54:18 pm »
Bicycle shops will give you old tubes. I cut out the valve section then split the tube in half lengthwise and wrap from the handle out to the tip on both limbs then clamp the handle to a table, belly down and raise the tips on a 4" block. Wrap the tubes fairly tight. You can also use a pressure strip between the tube wrap and the bow.
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Offline DC

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2016, 12:26:02 am »
Start by wrapping the tube over itself and finish by tucking the free end under a wrap. I cut mine in 3/4" strips
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Offline bubby

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2016, 09:09:12 am »
I just cut the valve area out, overlap and tuck under, you can just wrap it or use a caul I'll see if i have some pics
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline bubby

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2016, 09:12:11 am »
Here is a couple of ways to use tubes, top pic it is just wrapped and bottom pic they are cut into bands
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Knoll

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2016, 10:04:26 am »
Bet you were tired of drilling holes, Bub! Thanks for the pictures.
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Offline gfugal

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2016, 12:08:14 pm »
Are those shorter loops in the second picture? did you tie them together, stitch them, poke a whole in them, or something else? Maybe they aren't short loops after all. Sorry upstatenybowyer if I commandeered your post with these questions.  ::)
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Greg,
No risk, no gain. Expand the mold and try new things.

Offline DC

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2016, 12:26:09 pm »
They are short loops, cut across the tube.
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Offline StumblyRhino

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2016, 12:42:59 pm »
I love that short loops of inner tube idea.
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Offline DC

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2016, 12:55:17 pm »
Except for drilling 60 holes and cutting and gluing 60 dowells ;D ;D
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Offline bubby

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2016, 01:15:16 pm »
I didn't glue the dowels😉
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Springbuck

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2016, 01:28:30 pm »
Yup, just like that!   ERC with hickory or bamboo have been my best combo's for deep section longbows.   When making a R/D bow, though, you need a certain amount, or really ratio, of width to thickness to ensure limb stability.  So, don't go too narrow.

ERC is soft but elastic, so it can be pretty thick to start.  I'd go, like 5/8"-3/4" on the cedar and 1/8"-3/16" on the ash.   You're on your own for width,  I'd likely start 1-1/2" minimum, and 2" wide even better.  At least until I get more experience with the wood.
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Offline DC

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Re: Advice on first wood-backed bow?
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2016, 02:48:51 pm »
Quote from: bubby on December 22, 2016, 01:15:16 pm
I didn't glue the dowels😉

Oh, well, easy peasy then ;D ;D ;D
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