Bad luck with Ipe

[ShinneryOak]

Where do you guys get Ipe? I've only been able to find it one place locally and ordered once from an internet lumber place. The local place had only a couple pieces and the internet was "sight unseen". The rings were running off the sides on both.  I found another web lumber place that sells ipe decking, price looks OK.  Bottom line, I need to start over. If I back with boo, is the grain that important, and what else do you use to pick a good piece of stock? Also, do you worry about moisture content? 

[knightd]

The moisture in the board isn't a prob .. The grain run off if not to severe should not be a problem unless you are planing a lot of reflex..

[Grunt]

When you go Ipe hunting take a flashlight and a rag. Wet the rag and wipe the board down and use the flashlight to see the grain. One 2x4x8' will give you a bunch of bows.

[ShinneryOak]

Are there any good sources other than lumberyards or decking places? I don't see archery supply stores carrying it like they do osage. 3rivers has some but it's all "kit" stuff.

[roofus]

Try Ohio   Also bcBull is a member on here. You might PM him

Rob

[knightd]

Take a look at my web site in the classifieds here on PA..

[ShinneryOak]

Thanks, my computer was on a work stoppage strike till just now- I assume Ohio is a member here and not the state. Again, if backing like boo is used, can the rings run off and still be usable?

[Justin Snyder]

You can get away with a lot of runoff if you back it with bamboo. I have used some Osage that had over 50% runoff in about 6 inches and a knot in that 6 inches to go along with it. It made a pretty nice bow once it was backed with boo. I have never see Ipe that bad, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it if I did.  That was the long answer, the short answer is "use what you've got." Justin