Ideas

[luis32]

Hi I just wanted some ideas.Im going to buy a red oak board and I want to cut 10 inches off and use that as the handle but I dont know if a 62" red oak board will be good for making a 30-40 pound bow at a 25" draw lenght if this is not possible could you suggest other ideas,I want to make a shorter bow because first I dont have a lot of space,I am short and is a little difficult to strung my 72"bow,and the last reason I dont have acces to others kind of wood.Thanks for your help.

[Josh]

should be fine..  Or you can cut off 8 inches for handle glue on (which is all i use) and have a 64 inch bow which will be even stable-er.     -josh

[youngbowyer33]

ya i would try with an 8 inch long handle, that leaves you with 4  inches of space for your hand and  2 inch long fades

[half eye]

Luis32,
       Do you know how wide or thick a board you have in mind? If you have a decent selection try to find a vertical grain, a couple inches wide (1-3/4 min) and at least 3/4 thick (1/2 would do if you add a grip block) if the grain isn't to good you can back the bow also. Those dimensions will pull at least 27" and should get you at least 50# at 27" (more if you go down to 25" draw) have made several from red Oak and if the grain's good it makes a fine bow....backed, it still makes a fine bow.
half eye

[bowman26]

Red oak boards never seemed forgiving enough for me but I do things pretty primative.

[George Tsoukalas]

When I make a board bow I hardly ever glue on a handle. 1.5 in wide out to mid limb will get you 50-55#. 1.25 in wide out to mid limb will get you 45#. I can continue if you are interested. jawge