bow length vs draw length

[Carle1953]

How short of a bow could you make out of Osage for a draw length of 30 inches?  At what point does it become necessary to sinew back?  My bow is 55" n-t-n, 1 1/16 wide at the fades on out to 6" from the tips. I have the bow drawing 45 lbs @ 23" without sinew backing at this time.  Any opinions on how much further I can go? I have a bendy handle with elliptical tiller and flipped tips. I really don't want to take it to the breaking point to satisfy my curiousity, so any help is appreciated.

[juniper junkie]

I would be scared to go that long of draw with the length. you are over 50% of length for the draw. but I am kinda chicken when it comes to bows breaking on me bending in the handle is going to help. curious to see what the osage experts say. how about some pics at the draw you have it at now?

[gstoneberg]

I'm not much of an expert, but I would probably keep an unbacked osage bow I wanted to go 30" in the 62" or longer range.  If it bends some through the handle, maybe closer to 60" but the tiller would have to be done well to avoid set.  I have a very short bow that pushes past those limits but it really isn't much fun to shoot...lots of stack.   Takes some real skill and a good design to do it right and so far I don't have it what it takes.

Good luck,

George

[Pat B]

Under ideal circumstances two times the draw length. That's perfect wood and perfect tiller.

[Ifrit617]

I wouldn't  go that far but I think that'll could push it a little farther.. I have a red oak shorty that's only 47" long that draws 23" and 55#. It was made from a board an is unbacked, so I figure that your Osage could pull at least 25-26"... Probably more.

[aznboi3644]

I'd say with good tillering you can do it.

Hell half eye makes plenty of white wood shorties 48" drawing 26"

[George Tsoukalas]

Enjoy your bow as is. You got the max. already. Jawge

[Del the cat]

Draw = half the length of the bow is more than enough for most of us, and that's with a bending or V minimalist grip.
Of course you can get more but you'll likely end up with it stacking due as the limbs will be coming back almost parallell to eachother, and you'll be getting pinchy fingers too.
Just 'cos you can do it, doesn't necessarilly make it a good idea...I daresay you could milk a Lioness .
Del

[Carle1953]

Thanks everyone.  I seem to be having problems with posting pictures. My files seem to be to large.

[Carle1953]

I have tried to crop my pictures and they are still too large.  Help, anyone got any ideas?  Thanks

[bubby]

twice the draw length + 10%, get you're pics on photobucket and they are automatically sized to post, Bub

[Carle1953]

Thanks everyone.  If I use the twice the draw length + 10% I end up with a max of 25" on a 55" bow.  I am now at 45 lbs @ 24".  So in theory I should be able to go at least to 25" draw.  I got the pictures in photobucket, now if I can figure out how to get them here.  Thanks again.  I guess the yellow dust has gotten to me because for the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the link from photobucket onto this post.

[Acutus]

Carle, Once they are on photobucket hover over the pic you want to post look for the IMG tag click on it it'll copy then you just paste into your post. Hope that helps.

[bubby]

click on the pics that you want to post,then go to bottom of the page and click on actions, then generate link codes, then click on full size bullien boards and forums. Took me forever to get this right, Bub

[crooketarrow]

     At 1 1/16 at 30 you'll differntly over stress your limbs if it don't break first, you'll diffently end up with lots of string follow if it dose hold together. At 1 1/2"s you may make it but do'nt at 1 1/16. Even if you sinew it your boarder line at 30"s.