Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Oleguy64 on February 17, 2019, 02:57:25 pm
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I am making as my first bow a red oak bow in a pyramid style and was curious on everyones thoughts on backing it with bamboo. Im only shooting for a 30-35lb draw at 28 inches. Any input is greatly appreciated )P(
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I have never done that,,, so I am guessing,, but I think it will work,, some of the guys with more exerience with bamboo ,, will chime in Im sure,,
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If it were me...I'd either make a 35# selfbow or back it with hickory, hard maple or elm. A lot of work goes into boo backings so I'd save the boo for a piece of osage or ipe...but that's just me. ;)
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I was thinking boo as I have a pretty limitless supply in my yard!! Im from central FL. and it grows all over around here. Also want to make a couple of staves from australian pine and carrotwood. First though I think I do want to try the bamboo backing to see just how involved it is,
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If you have an unlimited supply, go for it. :OK
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Not to be a downer but mating a high tenion wood/grass like bamboo and a low compression wood red oak may be somewhat unbalanced and the belly may give in to compression fractures/fretts.i would make it at least ,68" long with the bamboo thinned down as much as possible within reason.good luck!
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I did it once at 72” and 50# @ 28”. Fretting was terrible. The oak can’t stand the compression. I tore it apart and salvaged the boo.
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I did one once although it wasn’t a Pyramid. The limbs wound up with a lot of set. More so than other red oak bows I have made. It didn’t shoot as well as others but that could very well have more to do with me and my ability than anything. It will be a good learning experience at the very least!
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my thoughts would be the boo would over power the red oak... hickory a better option to back with.. use boo on ipe or osage... imo.. gut
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I really appreciate all the input on this build. I think I am going to yield to experience and knowledge and try a silk backing on the red oak for now. Due to some injuries when I was younger I have a very hard time bringing a bow to full draw if its over 30-35 lbs. Im hoping as I build and shoot more the bow weight will increase with my ability (--) (SH)
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A friend and great bow maker backs ERC with bamboo without problems, if ERC can take it I suspect red oak can as well.
I looked through my log book to see if I had made a bamboo backed oak bow and as near as I can tell I haven't so my opinion is purely speculation.
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I used to worry about matching tension strong woods with compression strong woods etc. Now I feel like you can use bamboo to back anything. I also use a lot of woods like red oak and maple for backing things like ipe.
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just try it,, I am curious now,,, to see how it works,, (f)
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I used to worry about matching tension strong woods with compression strong woods etc. Now I feel like you can use bamboo to back anything. I also use a lot of woods like red oak and maple for backing things like ipe.
Badger,
Your using red oak, or white oak?
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There is a youtube video of a guy talking about and shooting his bamboo backed red oak bow. He claims it shoots with authority and seems pretty happy with it.
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It is red oak. I have some white oak for future projects but currently im using red. Hmmmm. decisions decisions!!! just when i talked myself out of the boo backing. I think this bow is getting the silk, but I am going for boo on the next one. I will post pics when I finish it. Any advice on processing the bamboo for backing will be appreciated. It is probably 3 to 4'' in diameter and reasonably straight. :-K
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Trap the Boo...
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im somewhat familiar with trapping a bow as in making the back narrower than the belly. (correct?) But how do I trap the boo if im using it as a backing? Sorry, new guy!!! :o :o :o
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Either before you apply it or after its glued,the same as you would the back of your self bow..Either the older members on here have forgotten,and newer members dont know,that Manny Pedrini,used to make Boo backed red oak bows and he trapped the boo and was happy with them..He also used Boo more narrow than the backs surface and created a crown,on the back...said they were strips from window shades.... Another Member{cant recall his handle}used to trap the back of Red Oak self bows by as much as 60% and said it helped eliminate the string follow associated with traditional styles,without way over building them...
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Ok, now I understand. Appreciate the quick lesson. Using bamboo shade strips is a very cool trick.
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That's cool,,.about the strip of window shade,,,