Im new hee some questions :)

[volarion]

hello I have been lurking and reading posts fo about  week now and I am going to try to start making my own bows I was wondering if I could make a good bow in a pyramid bow style with cable backing and raised struts near the tips (roughly similar to orcbows design (anyone have a schematic for that thing btw???)) and was also wondering if I could do it with the black walnut and maple wood I have piles of (maybe a laminate of the 2) I also have pine but could get other wood as needed any ideas how I would go about doing this??? also how hard this would be for a first timer to do???

[walkabout]

not sure about that design but maple will make a decent bow, pine is definitly not choice bow wood, and black walnut can be done.

[JW_Halverson]

If you are new to building bows, skip the cable backing and all the foofoo stuff and concentrate on the most critical skill...tillering.  The pyramid bow is a great place to start because tillering on it is not too difficult and you will still do some learning.  Maple pyramid bow, ought be a fast little dart slinger.

Start with 2" wide at the fadeouts and go down to a bit less than 1/2 inch tips.  That oughta be good and safe, yet functional.  And save the shavings...dry maple makes great firestarter, almost as good as osage shavings.

[Pat B]

For a first timer I'd suggest you first read all of George Tsoukalas' website! After that start making a bow that will help you learn to tiller a bow correctly. After you have accomplished this you can build any style bow you like. Until then you will have a hard time achieving the orcbow you want to build.
  IMO!  

[volarion]

only 2" why so small wouldnt a bit large make it have more power or am I reading into this wrong (my bowyers bibles dont get in till nex week)

[JW_Halverson]

2 wide oughta be plenty.  And I gotta echo Pat B's advice sending you to go see George's site.  The man is a wealth of information!

[half eye]

Ya cant go wrong listening to these guys, and of your wood choices (maple...walnut) either will make a really good bow as will walnut backed maple. I recently made a little Chippewa single scalloped "d" bow from black walnut, it's 50" draws 27 and has a weight of better than 60#....results are equal for maple self bows...and the walnut backed maple. They are good bow woods.
rich

[Pat B]

Look at the top of the "How To" section for George's site!

2" is plenty for a pyramid bow but you can build it wider if preferred.

[volarion]

also how do you determine the length of a bowstave your making for yourself???

[Pat B]

Double your draw length and add 10% to 20% for the bow length. 20% for a newby! 

[volarion]

thank you any and all advise is greatly appreciated and when Im done  I WILL post pictures (may take a while Im only in town every other week

[n2huntn]

4est trekker is the man to talk to for the pyramid bow.He has a great build along and is a very nice guy.
 Keep posting and guys here will keep you pointed in the right direction.
Jeff