Author Topic: 1/16" hickory backing  (Read 2533 times)

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MAK

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1/16" hickory backing
« on: May 16, 2009, 10:02:47 pm »
I have a 1/16" thick piece of quatersawn hickory backing that is 67" long. Could I still use it that thin for backing? If so, on what wood? Does that even matter?

I have a 26" draw and like my bows between 45-55 lbs.

Thanks for any input guys. I've made a bunch of fiberglass bows, and now I'm trying to learn this wood/bamboo only stuff.

Offline sulphur

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Re: 1/16" hickory backing
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2009, 10:42:57 pm »
i used a backing that was .090" once, just over 1/16 and it failed.  of course it was on osage so that may make a big difference.

MAK

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Re: 1/16" hickory backing
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2009, 11:46:10 pm »
I was thinking that if I used it, it would be on cherry. Wouldn't cherry be easier than osage at 1/16"?

Grunt

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Re: 1/16" hickory backing
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2009, 08:33:33 am »
I've built five cherry bows. The first two were staves that I chased a single ring down on and backed them with linen canvas. The last three I backed with hickory. The last three were good straight grain rift sawn cherry board bows that I glued a 3/16 Hickory strip to. After bandsawing the profiles I used a scraper to take the hickory backing down to a little under 1/8. All five have survived a couple of hundred arrows and the draw weight ranges are 40-50 lbs at 28. Just make sure you have a good straight grained board and don't sand your backing to aggressively. Have fun.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2009, 08:36:57 am by Grunt »

Offline sulphur

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Re: 1/16" hickory backing
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2009, 08:35:56 am »
i think that would work ok for cherry.  i have used hickory on cherrry several times.  makes a great bow that is light in the hand.  good luck with it.

MAK

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Re: 1/16" hickory backing
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2009, 08:40:02 am »
Thanks guys.

Offline Pat B

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Re: 1/16" hickory backing
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2009, 11:47:04 am »
The hickory should be strong enough at 1/16 if the proper belly wood was used. Cherry, black walnut, ERC, maple, etc should do well with a thin hickory backing.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC