Vine Maple rules of thumb

[JW_Halverson]

Getting the bark off isn't as hard as there making it out to be. I leave all the bark on my VM staves.

Worse yet, you left the bark on the one you sent me, too!

[Bryce]

You betchyah!

[vinemaplebows]

Do you guys in the Pacific Northwest think that these guidelines would work for Rocky Mountain Maple(Acer glabrum)?

Yes!

[crooketarrow]

  I've only made 3 vinemaple bows. I have the 4 th setting in the corner.
  All of mine have been stiff handled,center shot bows. I made, 2 60" and a 56" all threes were in the low 50"s. Wth the 56 incher 56 pounds.
  I say they were 1 3/8's to 1 5/8's for the short 56# bow.
  I put 2 to 3 inchs of reflex in it will green with no heat.
  I like to tiller as far back into the fads as I can.
  I tempered all 3 bows really slow.
  Fliped the tips of one of the 60" bow.
  I used the back of all 3 bows that was under the bark.

  I'm not much on draw knives either. I use a hatchet mostly to bebark if I have to. Cut out to a simi bow form. From then on I use a couple different rasps. Clear down to sand papering.

  It's not a OSAGE but makes a nice bow.My next personal bow is going build for spring gobbler. Going to be a 54" 55#s @26". I gobbler hunt and shoot off my butt on the ground.