Birdseye Maple Board Bow?

[Duckhawk]

Hey guys,

Just had a simple question. I picked up a piece of maple today from Home Depot (yes, a board bow, sorry) and it looks like it is actually some form of birdseye. Do you think it will work as a board bow? I’m just wondering if the little “birdseye” things in the wood will cause the bow to fail. I’ve had success with maple board bows in the past but this is definitely new. Thanks.

Duckhawk

[JW_Halverson]

It would certainly fail on the back as the "bird's eyes" are extreme grain violations. Not sure it would do well as belly material, either, same reason.

[Pat B]

I agree with JW.

[Rākau]

I believe this is what you are after
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,24511.0.html

[bownarra]

Uselss in tension, poor in compression!
Save it for boxes etc where pretty grain is a plus

[Dances with squirrels]

I agree with the above. I wouldn't bother.

If it has enough figure, it looks good under clear fiberglass.

Early in my bow making, when I was trying to make a bow out of everything, I made a bamboo backed bow with a piece of curly maple. I bet it had the world record for the most frets in a bow. It was actually kind of funny. I should have kept it.

[medicinewheel]

I wouldn't even try!

[Duckhawk]

Thanks guys. I’m going to try it anyway and see how it goes. Maybe a rawhide back will help?

Duckhawk

[bubbles]

Maybe it will.....maybe it will go kaboom!   Maple has a tendency to let go in spectacular fashion, without warning. I have a big scar on my forehead to remind me......round all edges during tillering.....and don't pick boards with $**t grain.  I'm lucky it wasnt my eye.
I recommend following the advice already given......
Pick through all the boards in the stack and find straightest, most boring, unfigured grain you can find.  I generally find red oak a bit easier to read than maple.

[Eric Krewson]

I build flintlock rifles and use curly maple. What you will find in a figured piece of wood is the curls are as hard as a rock and the spaces between them is soft and splintery, not good bow wood.

[JW_Halverson]

Thanks guys. I’m going to try it anyway and see how it goes. Maybe a rawhide back will help?

Duckhawk

This is a serious question. Why would you ask the advice of what amounts to the world's largest collective of bowmaking experience and then ignore it?

[Hawkdancer]

Some folks just have to learn the hard way!  Make a pretty bow rack with it --it will be a heck of a lot safer, and smarter!  But it is your body on the line!  Please don't post pictures of the explosion!
Hawkdancer

[vinemaplebows]

Gotta to say guys....With what I have seen recommended as "go for it" at times, makes birdseye maple look easy, at least belly wood. Is it ideal? hell no, but by no means is it the worst wood i have seen get the go ahead on these boards. It's about challenge isn't it? I cut figure woods for years, curly, quilted, burled are a no go. Birdseye depends on how much, and keeping the figure from the edges. My opinion.

You could back your bow with hickory, oak, maple whatever....then thin the birdseye (Almost veneer like, and glue to the back) the effect without the risk.

VMB