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Author Topic: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???  (Read 4763 times)

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Offline barebo

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Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« on: October 29, 2009, 03:05:57 pm »
I decided to go with popular vote and scrap the Bamboo backing on my Ash bow. Called the local mill, and they don't have Hickory, but lots of Cherry. Possibly Black Walnut also. I'm thinking 1/4" thick x 2"wide. Will Cherry or Walnut be a good match with Ash???
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2009, 03:23:29 pm »
I have some cherry and I'm planning a bow with Cherry belly and Ash back at some time when it's seasoned.
I think that Ash is better in tension and Cherry better in compression (everyone says Cherry is a good but a bit twitchy tho')
Del
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Offline PatM

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2009, 03:40:32 pm »
 If your bow was decrowned nicely you might be able to just leave it unbacked. Or you could work it to a clean ring if there is enough wood depth to do that.
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Offline jthompson1995

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2009, 04:05:03 pm »
From what I've read elsewhere here, cherry and black walnut are not woods for backings as they are not so good in tension and can be marginal in compression. They can be used for bellies but they have to be wide, flat and tillered very well.
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2009, 04:14:37 pm »
The ash might much rather make a backing for the cherry!
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Frank from Germany...

Offline Hillbilly

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2009, 06:10:00 pm »
As everyone else said, with that combo I'd back the cherry with the ash. Cherry is weak in tension.
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Offline barebo

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2009, 06:17:33 am »
If I go with hickory, what do I ask for at the woodshop ?? I know that there is flat sawn and quarter sawn.
Is 1/4" too thick ??
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radius

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2009, 07:26:55 am »
1/4 is pretty darn thick.  3/16 maximum, i think.  Plain sawn has worked better for me than quartersawn or rift cut
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2009, 07:42:54 am »

 3/16 maximum, i think, too.
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Frank from Germany...

VenomBOWslinger

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2009, 09:02:55 am »
Cherry will work but take it from me and these guys know as well I have had more cherry ruin my day than it has done me good...it can be used take the proper precautions as Del said it can be touchy everything can look all dandy till u pull back on ur string then it just may or may not work...I have had good success but with almost as equal horror stories especially in the beggining...why dont u try something a bit more reliable..do u have to back it linen sinew something less invasive...let us know what u plan on doing and if u do decide use the cherry 1/4 inch is a bit thick take ur time keep evrything straight and sanded real smooth
cheers!!!
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Offline adb

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2009, 10:05:21 am »
Most of the hickory backings I've used have been 1/4". If it's too thick, especially with cherry, the belly will fret or fail.
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Offline snedeker

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2009, 10:33:21 am »
1/8 inch back is your choice - maple would be good and of course so would the ash

Dave
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Offline Bushbow

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2009, 10:02:32 pm »
I have had good results with 1/8" hickory backs. Every time I have used Cherry it has developed frets. Black walnut has always worked well for me. I made a pyramid bow from a black walnut stave (mostly sapwood) and a laminated ELB with a 1/8" hickory back, 1/8" bubinga stripe, and black walnut belly
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Offline bcbull

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2009, 10:34:32 pm »
ID USE 1/8 HICKORY  FLAT SAWEN   BROCK
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rattlesnake

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Re: Will Quarter Sawn Cherry mak e a backing for Ash bow???
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2009, 11:25:59 pm »
no,....cherry is a belly wood, also pretty riser and tip overlays;...can be a selfbow wood if done right....snake

ps...not recomended as a backing.....get some hickory or ash...[pine hollow]
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