Cordage backed red oak board bow?

[Msturm]

I also vote no backing.  that looks like pretty good material. Show us a pic of the grain run out. As mentioned above it may be eliminated if you are careful with layout.

How wide is that board?

[loon]

I tried to paracord (nylon) back a bamboo bow and it was WAY too stretchy, the loop was 2-3 inches short and it still barely had any tension after I put it on
Polyester may work well
I have a 70-75lbs ringing rocks archery 62" bow that has tons of runoff on the back. Was thinking about rawhide but I have sisal from rope and paper grocery bags, as well as hide glue. The thing is.. plant fiber doesn't stretch?
Thinking I'll introduce set into that bow on purpose to reduce chances of breakage.
There is this... ... http://www.ottomanturkishbows.com/2012/03/pre-stressed-leather-application-method.html
leather is expensive though

[cadet]

What are the dimensions?  From what I can see I'd make a selfbow out of that in a heartbeat.  A little runout here and there is survivable.

[JW_Halverson]

The worst you have to worry about is grain runout on the side and back TOGETHER.  Basically, a growthring terminates right on the corner of the back of the limb meeting the side of the limb.  You could wrap that spot with a heavy thread, then rub glue into the thread to lock it in place.  Start a half inch minimum from the runout and go at least a half inch past it.

The time to do this is after you have started tillering but well before you are into the final tillering.  By waiting until you are halfway done to do the wrap, you end up leaving that little bit of the limb stiffer than the rest of the limb....but not excessively so. 

I like the grain shown in the photos.  I have made bows with wood that was MUCH worse.  Now get to work on that "aggressively de-crowned dimensional stave" and be sure to post lots of pictures as you go.  Some of us can't read but we like to look at the pretty pictures!   

[Stick Bender]

Marin I don't know if you herd of a book called The Bent Stick by Paul Comstock ,It's advertised in PA magazine  but that book & that board would get you a serviceable bow in a week end or two ,Paul tends to over build bows slightly , and gives you all dimentions & directions to build it ,I built my first board bow that didn't blow up on me out of it but then again learned a lot by blowing up a couple of bows ! 

[bubby]

 This might help you www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php
As well as jawges site it has a wealth of knowledgehttp://traditionalarchery101

[Marin]

I think someone asked for some more pics of the side grain runoff. Here's a pic. Sorry, I was gone camping for 2 days

[Marin]

Another one

[Marin]

If the pics aren't good, I'll just explain that the runoff is gentle and usually the grain that runs off comes back onto the board a couple of inches down (the grain is squiggly). Yeah it's kind of weird, but the rest of the grains look,straight. Now, if you guys think I can make an I backed bow with runoff like this, I'll try it. Thanks for recommending that Comostock book. I'll definitely get it.

[Marin]

How wide is the board? Its about 3 inches in width and 10 feet long .
Also, bubbles, what do you mean you've made board bows or of things worse than this? Did you fix the problem by cutting the  runoff outmost he board or some other way? I mean is there way for me to get rid of the runoff? Can I use a table saw to perhaps cut off the edge?

[Knoll]

10 ft long?! At my short draw length, could make 2 bows. What draw weight ya looking for and at what draw length?

[Marin]

Yeah, I know I can make 2 bows. I just hope I can at least get one good one.
I think I am looking for about 45 lb draw weight at 28 inches. Could I make a shorter draw length? Is that just personal preference? Also, just curious, do you guys measure draw weight using a luggage scale?

[Stick Bender]

I have made a board bow with grain worse then that I think it would work for you at your weight and draw  particularly if you made a bend threw the handle bow maybe leave it long and a little wide for your first one I think Brad mentioned a little over built  especially with red oak  good luck ! I know it can be a little nerve racking to make your first bow but there's no other way to do it other then doing your research & jump in ,  I broke a couple of bows learning ,I'm still learning ,but by doing that and sticking with it  I  got a couple of good bows I'm just trying to encourage you to give it a go ,Jawge has a good build a long on here that has the bow I'm talking about.

[bubby]

take and make the bow 2" wide at the fades straight taper to 1/2" tips to start. The handle fade area draw a line marking the center of the bow make the bow 68" long so make a mark at 34" , 2" each side of the center mark for a 4" grip 1-1/4" wide at the center and 1" at the 2" marks. Make the limbs a even taper of 7/16" thick the length of each limb and work from there. You can check out my easy board bow build a long in the how to section. Good luck!!

[Marin]

Stick Bender,
You mean you have made an unbacked board bow with a grain worse than this?
Wow, good for you. But seriously, i can counteract this side runoff by making a wide bow?
I'm already drawing up a desing and about to cut but just want to be sure.