Dimension help

[amishfoot]

I would like some help with dimensions. I want to make a bamboo backed hickory bow that is 50# @ 28 inches. I was thinking somewhere around 66" ntn but i would be glad to try anything someone would like to offer

[MWirwicki]

Yes, especially if you haven't made many bows.  66" is a good length.  Page 105 in the Bowyer's Bible #1 shows typical limb widths at mid-limb to reach 50 lbs.  If you looked up hickory it would give you a good place to start.  With the bamboo backing you could go a bit less.  I think if you ran parallel out of the handle fades at 1-3/4 inches to mid-limb then tapered to 1/2 to 3/4 inch tips you would have  a good start.  Tiller from there.

Good Luck!

[mikekeswick]

Hickory isn't great in compression and bamboo is excellent in tension so it would be a good idea to trap the bamboo fairly heavily or else you are likely to get a good bit of set. Also hickory likes to be dry dry dry!

[soy]

Hickory isn't great in compression and bamboo is excellent in tension so it would be a good idea to trap the bamboo fairly heavily or else you are likely to get a good bit of set. Also hickory likes to be dry dry dry!

You forgot a couple of dry's .that stuff really needs to be dry don't ask

[amishfoot]

thank you thats what ill try and will those dimensons still be good if i put a bit of reflex in it?