need advice on hickory board...please

[hook]

hey all,
I just got a real nice piece of straight grained hickory (board)2" wide, 1-1/16 thick and 72" long.
I would like to make a long bow about 45 to 50# and about 28-29" draw length.
what would be the best layout for this??  If I can get a layout by tomorrow I might have access to a band saw and sander. not to put any pressure on you all or anything ...lol
thanks in advance!!

[George Tsoukalas]

Are you making a flatbow or rounded belly English longbow. jawge

[hook]

well...thats a good question! I am guessing a flatbow would be easier!

[RyanY]

It depends on what you define as best? I really can't answer because there are so many possibilities with a board that size. If it were me, I'd make a pyramid bow since I have not yet made one. Go 64" long so you can use the extra 8" for a handle build up. 2" at the fades tapering straight to 3/8" at the nocks. If you make sure tiller is spot on like an arc of a circle I think it should work.

[adb]

I'd also build a fatbow with a hickory board. 66-68", 4" handle, 1.5" wide limbs at the fades, tapering to 1/2" nocks.

[ErictheViking]

What adb said. longer the better for your first bow (68-70'' even) you can always shorten it later to raise the weight when you make it too light(which a lot of first timers do.(I did).

[El Destructo]

There are a lot of variables with a board  bow....if I were you I would go.to Jawges web site and read everything he has on building a board bow...quite a lot of very good information there ....free for the picking.....good luck....

http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[adb]

There are a lot of variables with a board  bow....if I were you I would go.to Jawges web site and read everything he has on building a board bow...quite a lot of very good information there ....free for the picking.....good luck....

http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

Good advice.

[hook]

ok, I have decided to make a pyramid bow:
2" wide straight tapering to 3/8 at the nocks and 68" long with a 4" handle
and at 1-1/16" thick i don't think? i need a glued on handle, or do I?
my question now is how to taper the belly for fast removal with band saw?

[El Destructo]

#1...how many Bows have you Built?

I would not get in any Hurry to remove the Belly wood...this could lead to a quick demise of this Bow....JMO

#2...1 1/16" thick should be plenty without Gluing on a Riser

#3.... 68" with a 4" grip...and 2" Fades to the widest part of the Pyramid...should be great for a 28-29" draw...

[hook]

eldestructo,
thanks for the help. to answer your question i have built a total of 2 bows. 1 red oak board bow that looks good but only has about a 20# weight. the next board bow was going a whole lot better when I broke it at the tip from not knowing how to string it. I have a short hickory stave bow that started life as a long bow then propeller twisted and developed a hinge and is now a pyamid bow that I just put sinew backing on that still needs final tillered(i don't hold out much hope for that one but I have to try) you know how it is!