how heavy a board bow

[k-hat]

go by feel for density (unless you wanna take a scale with ya!), but you want a board heavy for its size.  It should have thin early growth (porous), and thick late growth.  2" width minimum I would say, keep in mind a 2" finished board is actually 1.75".

Do a search on here as well, i think i remember someone doing a heavy RO board a while back?

[adb]

If I was going to build a 100# bow, it wouldn't be oak, and it wouldn't be 72".

[Ifrit617]

If I was going to build a 100# bow, it wouldn't be oak, and it wouldn't be 72".

+1 I hate red oak, I just use it cause its cheap and most readily available to me. None of my stuff is over 50# and I wouldn't trust it over that. At least not from a board. Of course people have built red oak stuff well into the 70# it's just my personal opinion.

Jon

[bow101]

+1 I hate red oak, I just use it cause its cheap and most readily available to me. None of my stuff is over 50# and I wouldn't trust it over that. At least not from a board. Of course people have built red oak stuff well into the 70# it's just my personal opinion.

Jon

I hear ya it seems like I get the boards pulling over 55# - 60#  and they end up breaking.  I'm talking like 66"  stiff handle bows,  Maybe just maybe I can get a board bow to pull 60# if bendy handle like 64-68" long.  Thats my 2 cents.