Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Academonicon on May 03, 2016, 09:47:41 am

Title: Backing thickness
Post by: Academonicon on May 03, 2016, 09:47:41 am

I've got a maple backing on this bow I'm working on, and it's about 1/8" thick, but I'm going to have to take that down a little bit due to clamp-impressions from when I glued it down.  How thick/thin does a wood backing need to be?  Does it matter?  Is a thinner backing more prone to break because it's weaker, or less prone because it's more flexible?

Thanks folks!

Title: Re: Backing thickness
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 03, 2016, 11:12:43 am

I cant tell you how thin you can go, you just never know. I like to start around .187 and work it down to .125. I see no good reason why yours wont be fine if the grain and health of the backer is perfect, as it should be.

Title: Re: Backing thickness
Post by: TimBo on May 03, 2016, 11:23:24 am

How bad are the dents?  Maybe you could steam them out with a wet rag and an iron.  That has worked for me on small/shallow dents. 

Title: Re: Backing thickness
Post by: Pat B on May 03, 2016, 12:16:54 pm

I would try what TimBo suggested first. I've never worked with maple but with hickory backed bows I've reduced the backing to just over 1/16" with good results.

Title: Re: Backing thickness
Post by: mikekeswick on May 03, 2016, 02:10:13 pm

Steam them out!

Title: Re: Backing thickness
Post by: Badger on May 03, 2016, 02:17:59 pm

  You can steam them out but I would be worried that they broke some fibers. I would go with your plan and sand them out.

Title: Re: Backing thickness
Post by: Dances with squirrels on May 04, 2016, 05:50:11 am

Like Pat, I've used hickory less than 1/16" thick... some of them I've reduced after they were glued on.