Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?

[Hunter Van Winkle]

I found 2 50" 4x1 boards at a local lumber yard, figured I could make some hickory shortbows. I have some rawhide and sinew I could possibly use for backing.  I have a heat gun I can use for tempering.

Whats the maximum weight/draw I can get from these bad boys? Any tips or suggestions?

[k-hat]

if you do a bendy bow and sinew you could get bout as much weight as you want at 26" or so, i'd flip the tips to fend off stack.  Flip'm before you sinew.  Do a search, there's a recent sinewed hick round here somewhere

[DarkSoul]

I'd personally use some for backing strips. Cut thin, they'll be an excellent backing for other woods. Just put a seam in the stiff handle, and the seam won't matter. That way, you can easily back long bows (theoretically up to 100"...)
It's just because I don't like shortbows and prefer backed longbows myself Nothing wrong with sinew backed hickory shortbows though!

[k-hat]

also, you could take the 4x1, rip it in half, and splice at the handle for whatever length you want.  You can cut 10" off each end (leaving 80") and use one piece for a glue on riser and the other for overlays, etc.  Then you could make a nice stiff handled whatever-you-want bow   Boards are easy enough to splice.  I'd personally use a W splice, but a Z is effective and a touch easier.

[BOWMAN53]

You can make a take down bow

[George Tsoukalas]

Splice'em. Short bows stack. Jawge

[Hunter Van Winkle]

I'm a masochist, I want short bows

What thickness should I be looking at for a 70lb d bow?

[blackhawk]

I'm a masochist, I want short bows

What thickness should I be looking at for a 70lb d bow?

I don't know? Send me one and ill send you a 70lb bow back,and you can micrometer it to the thousandths of an inch so you know exactly how thick it should be 

[k-hat]

I made a 48" red oak that pulled 60# at 25 or 26", it was about 1/2" outta the fades and prob 3/8 to 7/16 at midlimb.  Hick can handle it, but it won't be the most efficient design.

[Hunter Van Winkle]

I'm a masochist, I want short bows

What thickness should I be looking at for a 70lb d bow?

I don't know? Send me one and ill send you a 70lb bow back,and you can micrometer it to the thousandths of an inch so you know exactly how thick it should be 

Ah a fellow masochist i see?

If you really want to, i'd be glad to send one your way!

[Hunter Van Winkle]

I made a 48" red oak that pulled 60# at 25 or 26", it was about 1/2" outta the fades and prob 3/8 to 7/16 at midlimb.  Hick can handle it, but it won't be the most efficient design.

What do you think about a pyramid bend in the handle shortbow, 2" @ widest point?

[tattoo dave]

Go for the shorty!!!  Not sure about the thickness. You want a short bendy handle...Half eye is the man to ask about possible dimensions. I'm sure he'll chime in at some point.

Tattoo Dave

[k-hat]

Shorties are fun, so if you haven't done one then yeah go for it.  JonW has a hickory bow on here he just posted that is 52" long, 2" wide like your describing.  Check it out and have fun!  http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34977.0.html

[JonW]

Here's a thought. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,25867.msg347597.html#msg347597

[Hunter Van Winkle]

Thanks guys.

Beautiful bow, Jon. What did you start with as a thickness on that bad boy?

Did you temper the belly?