Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!

[bubby]

quarter or flat either way, I prefer quartersawn though, hard maple boards , had lot's more hickory blow than maple that is for sure, try it you'll love it

[Roy]

How can you use flat sawn for a backing? Doesn't the run out act the same as violating a ring on a self bow? Do you thickness taper the maple backing like we taper boo?

[zenart]

Does the 1:3 / 1:4 ratio apply for pretty much all backing or jus boo?

Is it ok to have 1 or 2 or 3runoffs on quarter sawn hard maple back?  I looked thru maybe 169 boards at yard, took an hour and half, and not one of 'em was 'perfect'.

[bubby]

Roy if you can make a flatsawn board bow doesn't it stand to reason it will work for a backer, anyhow I've used it  with little to no problems

[Roy]

I have never made a flat sawn board bow, or any board bow for that matter.
I make BBO or tri lam BBO's. All I ever use is rift sawn or 1/4 sawn for my belly slats and back them with boo. I did try a 1/4 sawn hickory backed Osage bow once and the hickory blew up a splinter. I guess I have a hang up here mentally, thinking about self bows needing to be to one ring for the back of the bow. So therefore I think hickory or maple backed bows should be 1/4 sawn, not flat sawn with run outs. And then ya throw into the equation if you use 1/4 or rift sawn for a backing, you have the run outs on the sides of the bow limbs. The questions of wood bow building are endless..

[Gordon]

I've built a fair number of bamboo backed bows and about a quarter of them have lifted a splinter. The rest are solid as a rock. Unfortunately I've not yet figured out a cause. It just seems to happen for no good reason at all.

[bubby]

well roy if ya think about it , all you build is board bows, ya just use real skinny ones and glue'em together , all i'm saying is try a quartersawn hard maple backer, I doubt you'll be disapointed

[chamookman]

That's a bummer Daryl ! Least You were in pretty good company - Bob.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I was bummed, he was minutes from shooting it. Oddly enough, I griped about glue and glue bows half the night! I just love my selfy's. Grab one of them osage or HHB staves you have Darryl, and everything will be okay..

This boo was pretty bruised and dinged. It was easy to see why it broke, that's always a little better.

Edit: For the record I have nothing against glued up bows, love them actually and own a few charmers. I just despise working on them is all.

[MWirwicki]

I still believe Drums was responsible, in some way...hee,hee!    Good to hear from you Darryl.  Hope all is well!

[DQ]

Hmmm...You guys have me thinking (and a little confused) about bow backings.   

Chris and I just "aquired" a two inch thick air dried hickory plank.  So tell me, do I cut my backing strips quartersawn, riftsawn or plainsawn???  I was thinking quartersawn because that should be the strongest.  Plainsawn seems like you'd be hitting the baseball bat on the trademark.  I agree with Roy on quartersawn or riftsawn belly wood.  How about the backing? 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I can promise you mine will be 1/4 sawn Darryl. Im not sure you can break a 1/4 sawn hickory backer.

[Roy]

I would cut them 1/4 sawn... If you guys want them tapered, send them down Chris and I'll taper them for ya.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Since my planer blades are junk, I might just rip all the strips out a 1/4" thick on a table saw and let you make them for me! Yah, that's a good plan.

[Roy]

Okie Dokie...