Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: JWMALONE on March 09, 2018, 12:19:28 pm

Title: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: JWMALONE on March 09, 2018, 12:19:28 pm

Hello guys, yes I'm hooked. I got some more bow wood today. One piece is Lemon wood. Its 1.5 wide 7/16 thick and tapers to about 3/8ths at the tips. Question is can I use a bamboo back with a thin ipe core say 3/16 thick without over powering the Lemon wood?
 I know nothing about Lemon wood and haven't made a trilam I guess you call it.
Thanks for any advice in advanced Guys and Gals.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: simk on March 09, 2018, 12:30:10 pm

blacksmith did a 130 pound trilam elb with lemonwood as belly...cheers

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: JWMALONE on March 09, 2018, 12:39:14 pm

Excellent, I'm going for 50. Ill look that post up.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: Del the cat on March 09, 2018, 12:49:17 pm

I dunno, but I've had thought it would be better with Ipe on the belly?
I'm considering a Boo/Yew/Ipe combo, so this discussion is of interest.
Del

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: JWMALONE on March 09, 2018, 12:57:26 pm

Del, I have enough to make another boo backed ipe. That will leave me with one thin piece of ipe a boo backing strip and the piece of lemon wood. So that's the reason I want a lemon belly, its not thick enough alone so ill need a core, wondering if the ipe will work cause that's what I have on hand.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 09, 2018, 01:09:14 pm

I would suggest using the ipe as a power lam only. You don't need to add another full lamination that is heavy. It will only slow you down.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: Springbuck on March 09, 2018, 08:19:36 pm

I agree, I think.

   What profile are you going for?  I'm assuming a reflex or R/D?  You have PLENTY of lemonwood for most designs once you add a bamboo back.

 I don't know much about lemonwood itself, but 3/8"-7/16" has been PLENTY of thickness for any wood I have used in a R/D. (osage, black locust, ipe, massaranduba, coyote, brazilwood, goncalo alves, jatoba, bamboo, etc.)    Maybe ERC, yew, or plum would want more?

Go with what ya got, add the ipe powerlam, and some reverse wedges toward the tips if you are afraid of running out of wood out there.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: JWMALONE on March 09, 2018, 08:25:58 pm

Thanks Guys, I knew some one would tell me what I wanted to hear. lol
 I will look into the power lam, that and a glue on riser should work fine if there is enough lemon. And yes I was thinking of trying a true R/D about 68 long no clue on the width, parallel out 6 inches then taper to .5.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: Springbuck on March 09, 2018, 09:28:13 pm

Well, since you have about 1-1/2" width, I'd start there.  Also, I'd say keep the width a little further out, maybe half way.   I have had a few R/D take enough set to leave the tips behind the handle when I tapered the width too early.  You can always narrow it later.

Title: Re: Lemon wood, Ipe and bamboo question.
Post by: BowEd on March 09, 2018, 09:51:25 pm

 (-P Interesting.I'll be watching.I've got some 1/4" thick red cedar that should go into a trilam someday.