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Offline David_Daugherty

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Board bow question
« on: September 27, 2015, 09:14:30 pm »
i want to make a board bow.  I would like to slightly reflex the tips on this now.  I prefer to use a light color hard wood.  I've been looking online at hardwood lumber and came across White Ash.  Would this be a good wood to choose for this bow?  If not any suggestions would be appreciated.  I have some Purple Heart for the handle.  Thanks Guys!!
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Offline bowandarrow473

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2015, 09:45:55 pm »
Ash is not ash. White ash is a good bowwood but the quality can be hit or miss. A good piece of hickory or white oak will be just as good for the job as a white ash board. All are good bow woods but white oak likes to take a set more than other woods, so you might want to consider some reflex in the case of you using white oak.
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Whatever you are, be a good one.

Offline Josh B

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2015, 11:30:07 pm »
White ash is good stuff if handled properly, BUT there's no way that I would buy it online sight unseen.  Staves I'll buy if there's good pictures and the seller is knowledgeable of bow making, but not boards.  Photos can't be relied on to adequately represent the all important grain structure when looking to build a board bow.  Josh
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Offline bubby

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2015, 12:03:32 am »
I have built a ton of board bows and while hickory and white oak are good woods i prefer hard maple it takes less set and makes a faster bow
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Offline bubby

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2015, 12:06:43 am »
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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 George Tsoukalas

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2015, 08:31:34 am »
I would not buy a board stave online either.
Don't discount red oak.
More on m site.
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html
Jawge
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Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline DavidV

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2015, 08:34:33 am »
Look somewhere local where you can go through several boards. I'll go through entire stacks and not find anything decent so don't get hung up on species before you go in. Since nearly all hardwoods make a bow just look for something with dead straight grain and no knots or checks and figure out what to make with it afterwards.
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Springfield, MO

Offline half eye

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2015, 09:35:20 am »
David,
     I have some very nice hard maple, air dried 5 years and milled off to bow staves....you can have some if you can handle the postage....wood's free. Send me a PM if you are interested,
rich
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Offline tattoo dave

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2015, 06:33:38 pm »
Sounds like a heck of a good deal from half eye there David. Ash is good bow wood also, but like everybody else said. I wouldn't buy it online.

Tattoo Dave
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Rockford, MI

Offline David_Daugherty

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2015, 07:33:44 pm »
Thank you to everyone that has left comments.  This helps a lot!  Yes half eye has been wonderful!!! 
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Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2015, 09:09:23 pm »
good luck wit your bow,, sounds like you got a good start   :)
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Offline David_Daugherty

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2015, 05:38:08 pm »


This is the mailbox find from half eye today!!!  Thank you!!!
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Offline sieddy

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2015, 05:45:03 pm »
That is a  bowyers dream right there. Half-eye is the man! Dang- I wish I lived in the states right now so I could ask him for some wood!  :)
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Offline bowandarrow473

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2015, 06:24:47 pm »
Awesome, he gave you the bows too?!!!
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Board bow question
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2015, 07:00:54 pm »
That is so generous and kindhearted. Jawge
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Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!
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