Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on January 31, 2011, 10:18:46 pm

Title: Short maple self bow?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on January 31, 2011, 10:18:46 pm

Hey guys! My brother wants me to make him a bow and he wants a short one. My question is, Does a hard maple 60" 45#@26 inches self bow sound feasible? Or is this to high stress for maple? I was thinking of backing it with rawhide maybe.

Title: Re: Short maple self bow?
Post by: half eye on January 31, 2011, 10:32:38 pm

Hey Lee,
      That would be doable without the backing, especially at that draw and weight. I've built some of my quartersawn bows in the mid 50's and actually had trouble getting the weight down to under 50#. Anyway, my experience says that's way possible.
rich

Title: Re: Short maple self bow?
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on January 31, 2011, 10:43:44 pm

And if anybody knows it would be Rich.  He has been there and done that.  Good advice from him.

Title: Re: Short maple self bow?
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 31, 2011, 10:44:25 pm

Maple from a stave?  No problem at all, overbuilt by a really safe factor.  Rawhide backed board bow?  Still no problem, as far as I can see.  Nice thing about Maple, it really responds to stains and oil finishes nicely, beautiful wood.

Title: Re: Short maple self bow?
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on January 31, 2011, 11:43:29 pm

Thanks guys! I'll go ahead with it then