Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Pat B on November 10, 2010, 05:56:32 pm

Title: lemonwood/digame
Post by: Pat B on November 10, 2010, 05:56:32 pm

James Parker gave a board stave of lemonwood a few months ago. I've been racking my brain as to what I should build with it. I was thinking a traditional style ALB and probably back it with hickory...but I just don't know!  Ant thoughts?
 

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: Cromm on November 10, 2010, 06:00:59 pm

I've made some English longbows with lemonwood/digame and hickory backing that have been very sweet bows to shoot.

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: Pat B on November 10, 2010, 06:19:54 pm

Thanks Cromm, I had also thought about building an ELB. Any suggestions on dimensions for a 50# to 55# bow?

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: adb on November 10, 2010, 07:31:49 pm

I've only made one bow using degame as the belly wood, and it was a narrow profile, stacked belly ELB tri-lam, with hickory backing and purpleheart core. It seems to be similar in compression strength to osage. It's interesting wood, that seems almost devoid of grain.

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: mullet on November 10, 2010, 08:35:14 pm

 Pat, I've got an old ALB I rescued with the backing missing. I'm going to steam the set out of it and back it with Bamboo.

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: Pat B on November 10, 2010, 08:50:43 pm

Maybe I'll try a hickory backed ELB. I've made a few with osage(50# to 60#) and a 95# war bow with Pacific yew.
  Eddie, I don't know how well heat effects it if it is like other tropicals.   I have an old York ELB style bow(circa 1940s) and a lemonwood flat bow I'd say circa 1950s, obviously hand made. Both flea market $5 bows.

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: mullet on November 10, 2010, 08:59:57 pm

 Yea, Pat, mine is an old lemon wood flat bow. The old backing popped off. I got it at a yard sale. I have a David Knight boo strip that is going on it. I've had no problem bending that wood with steam.

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: bcbull on November 11, 2010, 07:07:29 am

PAT  LEMON WOOD MAKE A GREAT ELB WITHOUT BACKIN  IF YA HAVE GOOD WOOD IV MADE SEVERAL WISH I HAD MORE OF IT  BROCK

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: half eye on November 11, 2010, 10:23:58 am

Pat,
      Here is an article from Popular Mechanics (1941) about dimensions for Lemonwood long bows.....they only go to 45# but maybe you can get some idea. Had to reduce the resolution to get it to post but hopefully ya can read the dimensions.

Title: Re: lemonwood/digame
Post by: Cromm on November 11, 2010, 02:02:27 pm

Quote from: half eye on November 11, 2010, 10:23:58 am

Pat,
      Here is an article from Popular Mechanics (1941) about dimensions for Lemonwood long bows.....they only go to 45# but maybe you can get some idea. Had to reduce the resolution to get it to post but hopefully ya can read the dimensions.

Hahaha.
Halfeye I have that same article and was going to post it here.
Pat I am away from home at the moment but when I get back I will have a look at the bows.