Help with ash

[danlaw]

I've made a few ash bows which are tough tough tough, but they seem to take quite a bit of set. I'd like to make more as I have wood handy. Is there a cure?

[mikekeswick]

Yes trap the back heavily. This makes a huge difference with any tension strong / compression weak wood. Narrow the back by a 1/4 compared with the belly.

[DarkSoul]

Flat belly, trapped back, not too short (70" for a 28" draw flatbow) and maybe heat treat the belly. Ash also likes to be dry. No need to over-dry it, but it prefers a lower moisture content than most woods.

[Holten101]

Flat belly, trapped back, not too short (70" for a 28" draw flatbow) and maybe heat treat the belly. Ash also likes to be dry. No need to over-dry it, but it prefers a lower moisture content than most woods.

I second that.

Also ash tends to suck up moisture like a sponge.

Cheers

[George Tsoukalas]

What is your draw length and poundage do you want? How much set are they taking? Jawge

[PEARL DRUMS]

Temper, temper and temper.

[danlaw]

Now that is some good advice! The heaveiest one I have is a longbow, 68" 52# (original poundage, now a little less). It is about a year old and has taken a 2" set. Cross section is rectangle. So, trap the back back temper and seal. Done deal. Thanks guys.

[danlaw]

Yes trap the back heavily. This makes a huge difference with any tension strong / compression weak wood. Narrow the back by a 1/4 compared with the belly.

I take it that ash is good for backing then? I can certainly use a good cheap backing supply.

[Jim Davis]

The spring wood of ash growth rings is very soft. That's another reason I make nothing but pyramid design. With pyramid, the thickness is uniform for the length of the limb. With limbs that taper in thickness, there is a series of places where the spring wood is at the surface and is subject to the full compression force of  bending.

I believe the spring wood in the latter case is where the undesirable set takes place.

Just my two cents.

Jim Davis

[danlaw]

Thanks Jim. I have an ash pyramid that I started at the same time as the longbow. I put it away without finishing it and went on to other stuff. I'll dig it out of the pile and finish it off.

[dwardo]

Some ash seems great and other ash can be wubbish.

Long and wide seems to fit the bill. Just tried a short ish ash bow stiff handle and about 65 1.5 inch for most of the limb, heat treated and could do nothing to avoid set and eventually one limb chrystaled. Not wide enough, not long enough.

[autologus]

I'm working on a short 55" T2T bow from a rake handle, its about 1 1/4 wide at the handle and straight tapers to half inch tips.  I want to flip the tips but since I read that is is weak on compression I guess I need to heat treat the belly.  Do I toast the belly before or after flipping the tips?  It is going to be about 30# draw for my daughter.  I am using it as quarter sawn.

[danlaw]

Well, I picked up a couple planks so I am going to try to solve the riddle.