Okay, time to get back on my training wheels!

[Bitterguy]

Anyone that kept up with me building my last red oak board bow probably knows that it broke (I've narrowed it down to the wood and tillering issues). My dad just drove me out to home depot and I found a real nice red oak 1x4 that i plan to split in 2. The first one I want to be a 6" 45# @ 29" pyramid longbow. Any suggestions or things I might have overlooked before I start? (pics of the board i got)

[Eric Krewson]

Not a great choice of boards, you would do well to back it with a strip of hickory.

[seabass]

when selecting red oak boards watch for severe grain runoffs.i have broke a few of those myself.have fun with it,Steve

[George Tsoukalas]

That board will break on you. See how the grain is diagonal? It should be straight tip to tip. Jawge

[artcher1]

Try re-cutting (diagonally) the board following the grain and perhaps you can get one bow from it. Or get another board.

[Bitterguy]

when selecting red oak boards watch for severe grain runoffs.i have broke a few of those myself.have fun with it,Steve

As far as grain runoffs are concerned, they seem pretty decent on one of the staves but not so great on the other. I will upload pics later because right now i am on my ipod and cant post them

[Bitterguy]

Ahhhhhh crap, did i really just waste 12 on forewood, i am f&/!ing pissed

[Ifrit617]

There are plenty of other things you can make with an oak board other than a bow... Just choose a different project or use it for risers or something... But I am with the others... You need better grain for a bow... Read through Jawges website at least twice and follow his build along carefully.... It will get a bow in your hands.. Good luck.

Jon

P.S. Think on the bright side.. At least it wasn't a hundred dollar stave!

[Bitterguy]

I might just wait until the weekday when the lumber yard is open, they should have hickory there

atleast I have will seabasse's arrow shafts to keep me busy

[HickoryBill]

We don't live terribly far away..I would be glad to help ya in person. I could even bring some real staves. Pick your poison....Hickory, hop-hornbeam,black locust,elm,or Osage.I would recommend the Hickory or hornbeam for a beginner....Wood and lessons free of charge   lol

[ErictheViking]

wow, great offer from Hickorybill! I would jump on that because as everyone has said it will break.  if you back it as Eric said it would be fine. riftsawn and nice fat rings but too much grain run-off.

[Bitterguy]

I would honestly love that offer hill. Funny part i was talking about our pm session (didn't want to say our pms) to my dad while he was driving me to homedepot

[seabass]

Hickorybill,you are a good man for that offer.Bitterguy,take Bill up on that offer.you can read all the bow building books in the world and not get what you will gain from one day with someone who knows what they are doing.good luck brother,Steve    P.S.when you get some arrows made post some pics.i would love to see them.

[Dazv]

I would honestly love that offer hill. Funny part i was talking about our pm session (didn't want to say our pms) to my dad while he was driving me to homedepot

Man take that off up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you will learn so so so much you would be crazing to pass that offer up.

[Bitterguy]

I would honestly love that offer hill. Funny part i was talking about our pm session (didn't want to say our pms) to my dad while he was driving me to homedepot

Man take that off up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you will learn so so so much you would be crazing to pass that offer up.

Oh trust me I am! My dad even gave me the okay!