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Offline IndianKid

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Red oak self bow question...
« on: December 30, 2014, 02:29:22 pm »
So #1 went boom, and we'll on my way through #2  :P

This is from locally harvested Red Oak and is 71" long
After handle, limb is 1.5" wide gradually tapering down to 1/2"

Question is what's a good thickness to rough to before tillering ?

Secondly, since it's wider near the handle will the limb wind up
a little thinner there ?


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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2014, 02:46:27 pm »
Remove material on the belly until the limbs bend at least a few inches, that is the thickness you need.
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Offline bubby

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2014, 03:18:34 pm »
Are you using a straight taper from fade to tip,  red oak does like to be a little wider 1 3/4"  to 2" with a stiff handle but with a na style d bow u can narrow it up some, listen to pearlie he gave good info
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline IndianKid

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2014, 04:26:33 pm »
Sounds like the best measurement I could
be given..

Yes, straight taper and
started out at 1 3/4 but
I goofed and drew line wrong :(

So now it's a little narrower than
originally planned but thought may be
a lil extra thickness might bring it back...

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Offline bow101

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2014, 04:38:09 pm »
Dump the red Oak use Maple. Or use White Oak.
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Offline bubby

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2014, 05:20:49 pm »
Red oak will make a nice bow, i built a pyramid bow for my father in law from a ro board, 35-40# i dont remember which, and the bow took little set and was fast as hell, while its not the best choice, it will make a nice bow, probably more red oak bows get built than anything else as it's a common board and easy to get, in California there's oak everywhere
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2014, 10:16:50 pm »
yes red oak will make a great bow,, :)
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Offline Comancheria

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2014, 10:49:18 pm »
Indiankid,

Going back to what Bubby said about being able to get away with a narrower build if you go with a full-width, working handle, on the bow that failed, how thick did you make the handle itself?  And where did it fail?  Thanks,

Russ
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When sinew-backed Live Oak flatbows with Agave-fiber strings shooting arrows made from river cane are outlawed, only outlaws will have sinew-backed Live Oak flatbows with Agave-fiber strings shooting arrows made from river cane!

Offline Comancheria

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2014, 10:56:36 pm »
Indiankid,

Going back to what Bubby said about being able to get away with a narrower build if you go with a full-width, working handle, on the bow that failed, how thick did you make the handle itself?  And where did it fail?  Thanks,

Russ
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When sinew-backed Live Oak flatbows with Agave-fiber strings shooting arrows made from river cane are outlawed, only outlaws will have sinew-backed Live Oak flatbows with Agave-fiber strings shooting arrows made from river cane!

Offline Badger

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2014, 11:16:37 pm »
  If you go with a slight bend through the handle and 71" long 1 1/2 wide should be plenty for 50#.
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Offline IndianKid

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Re: Red oak self bow question...
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2015, 01:04:54 am »
Russ, it failed mid limb (backed with rawhide) so not 100% sure if I had any tool marks.
What I think happened was there was a vein of sapwood here and there, though most was belly
side but see a small bit right under the back where it cracked... I ordered my x-ray glasses
and hope to never have that problem again lol..
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