Eastern Red Cedar and 32 inch draw

[Grandpa Bill]

I have my first stave of ERC which is about 68 inches long, straight grained with no troublesome knots.  Can I get a 32 inch draw @ 60 lbs from that size stave.  If this was one of my board bows, I would have used something 74-76 inch long.

Thanks for your answers

Grandpa Bill

[wizardgoat]

If your tiller is spot on I'd say yes.
if it were mine I'd go 30". Back it for sure
with rawhide or something.
It will be a very stout and thick long bow

[Grandpa Bill]

I plan on leaving about 1/4 inch of white sap wood and then using a rawhide backing.  It is going to be a gift so the 32" draw length is not adjustable.

Grandpa Bill

[Josh B]

To be honest, at that length 60#@28" would be a challenge.  I certainly wouldn't build it with the intent of putting it in another's hands.  Just my .02 . Josh

[21st century archer]

I have erc bows pulling around 50 pounds that I commonly draw up to half of bow length. I believe to make an erc bow that draws up to half its length you need a perfect tiller and some heartwood on the belly because all the sapwood bows that I draw far tend to take lots of  set. I believe you can get a 60 pound bow with a 32 inch draw out of your stave. I would definitely go for a bend in the handle bow with a perfect circular tiller. A rawhide backing would be a good choice but you can make it a selfbow if you want. I would have at least 2/3 sapwood and 1/3 heartwood but try not to go past 1/2 sapwood and 1/2 heartwood unless using some sort of backing. I have seen a erc warbow on the paleoplanet forums that pulled around 80-100 pounds.

[blackhawk]

Get a longer stick 

[Grandpa Bill]

Thanks for the responses ... I appreciate them all.

I have lots of heartwood - the stave is 3 inches thick with about 1/2 inch of sapwood.  I am not a stave bowyer (this is my second) so your opinions mean alot.  I think I will find another piece of wood for this bow - I can always use the ERC for a different style and shorter draw. 

Thanks again

Grandpa Bill

[mullet]

I think you could. I'd start out 2" wide and fade it out, Pyramid style. And leave as much sapwood as you can.