40" ash stave is it possible??

[danny f]

hi. i had a piece of an ash board left over.  i posted the piece of wood on another thread,  it ended up being only 40" inches long due to a swerve with the grain running out at one end so i cut that bit off and  i have chased it down to 1 ring. i was wondering what you all thought would be possible with this size of stave. it is 2" wide.  i am not after anything to powerful but would like to get a bow out of it. i may even make it for my 3 yr olds boys  first bow.  i was thinking maybe a pyramid style with 4"handle and 1.5" fades and straight tapering to half inch. but i am no expert so any help would be appreciated thanks danny.

[tattoo dave]

I think that board would be perfect for your boy. He's only 3, It's not like he's gonna have a 25" draw, and pullin 50# Keep us posted, lookin forward to seeing it finished. I love kids bows.

Tattoo Dave

[SLIMBOB]

I think you'll be fine making a kids bow with it.  Just so we're clear, in the pic you have not gotten it down to one ring?
Bendy handle.

[danny f]

cheers, yes the pic was taken before i took it down to one ring. does the pyramid design sound reasonable or would a different design suit this small stave better. and with it being a bend through the handle does it not need a riser block gluing on? thanks danny.

[SLIMBOB]

No riser.  You can do a pyramid or you can keep it full width for part of the limb.  1/2 or even farther.  If I were going for a longer draw length and higher weight I would keep it wide.  Kids bow, either will work.  40 inches is real short, so the more width on the limbs the better.

[lostarrow]

bendy handle!

[Jim Davis]

Pyramid bows are nearly foolproof. Your stave should do very well for a 3-year-old. You don't want more than about a 10# pull. That will be easy with a stiff handle pyramid 40" long in ash. 1-1/4" wide, 5/16" thick to start. Probably end up thinner.

It will launch a light arrow faster than you might want. Only let him shoot with supervision!

Jim Davis

[danny f]

cheers for the advice everyone, and yes i would only ever let him shoot while i was there, or he may start hunting his sisters