Plains or Pyrimid?

[hillbilly61]

I have 2 IPE boards to work with. Both will be boo backed. One I want to try putting some reflex in. What style works best with the IPE? I would like to try and get one done by the Hill shoot and bring the other + a Osage board , backed with boo the last 2 glued up, but unworked. Any suggestions?

[half eye]

Hey Bud,
      Just sort of went through that with Ipe. I know that you are going to want a narrow profile. I blew the backing right to pieces by trying to make the first one wide limbed. Finally came up with a sort of modified prymid design....which was about 1 to 1-1/8" wide at the fades and narrowed to 3/8" at the tips in a straight like. The bows are really fast, no set, and most important the Ipe cant overpower the backer. The grips on these bows are 7/8" wide and only 1-1/4 deep and I let the limbs bend into the handle fades (but through the grip). Worked for me.
      Dont know about bamboo as I never used it but I believe Ipe likes to be a little thicker and narrower as opposed to wide and thin.
Rich

[bubby]

Rich is right, my boo backed epe is just under 11/4" wide, 62 1/2" ntn, 65# @ 29" draw. the epe is 3/8" thick at the fades down to 1/4 with glued on recurved tips thin,light and shoots hard bendy handle, simple design, great bow

[Parnell]

I've made several maple or hickory backed Ipe D bows ranging from 62 inches to 70 inches.  All are supremely good shooters.  Quick to tiller also - I can put one out in about 8 hours of work, at this point.  Bubby's dimensions are about where I go with mine.  I like to trap the back of the bow with ipe - D cross section, that is.  Good luck with that!

[hillbilly61]

 Thanks guys. Just like the first Osage, they have me spooked Don't know why. I guess I just don't want to mess these up. One I have roughed down to 1 1/4 at the fadedown to 3/8 at the tips. No backing yet, as I want to floor tiller and try to put a little reflex in it. This will be a first also. The other I have cut to 1" at the handle down to 3/8" at the tips and it's backed with boo. Ive made the handle area 6" in length, which can be changed if need be. Maybe I should just wait and take them to the Hill shoot and get some expert advise Or should I just go for it and learn from the mistakes?

[bubby]

as long as you wipe it down good with acetone andget a good glue up I'd go for it. I jst built a hickory backed D bow and a sliver started to lift, added some gunnie sack and it's shooting great. all wood acts diferent, and you're hands got to gain that know how. just go for it