Author Topic: Purple heart  (Read 9053 times)

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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Purple heart
« on: December 04, 2014, 12:29:16 am »
Has anyone made a purple heart board bow? Any advice?
If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline Peacebow_Coos

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2014, 12:44:15 am »
I have not, but remember seeing quite a few.  I do remember that some worked and some chrysaled I think it might depend on the density of the purple heart and the tiller.  Sure is a pretty wood

Offline vinemaplebows

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2014, 12:45:17 am »
Not very good as a belly wood, will work, but tiller carefully.



VMB
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Offline bubby

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2014, 12:54:50 am »
I made the wife a maple backed purpleheart bow this last year, it's a light weight bow but flings an arrow with attitude, imho it should be backed
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

mikekeswick

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2014, 03:39:36 am »
It all depends on the grain. If it's straight then a self bow is possible. Purpleheart isn't weak in tension but it is in compression. A trapped back is very advisable! I've made a few elb's with hickory backs...just to see...and they have all held up. Watch that tiller!

Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2014, 09:21:20 am »
What would be your (all of you) suggestions for layout? Thickness wise. I am thinking Mollegabet, 66 inches long. Ebony overlays for the statics. Thanks again.

Also, if it isn't good in compression, wouldn't you add a belly of another wood? Because trapping the back and adding a hickory backing would add to the compression... Or am I missing something?
If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline adb

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2014, 10:43:30 am »
I've made quite a few backed purpleheart flatbows in the past few months. I back them with a more gentle material, like maple or ash. Most have been 1.5" wide at the fades and a straight taper pyramid design. Just don't ask too much in terms of draw weight. Most I've made have been for ladies, and <40#. They all turned out very nice actually. Very little set and nice shooters.

I think it might not be the best choice for a more stressed design like a mollie.

Offline Prarie Bowyer

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2014, 11:15:11 am »
I think almostpig hunter has a video of one (Boarior Bows).

Offline bubby

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2014, 11:31:22 am »
I agree with Adam go pyramid but I'd go 1 3/4" at the fades
If I remember aph's bow that was mentioned crysaled
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2014, 11:35:01 am »
My question now is, Does it need to be used as a backing, or does it need to be backed? If compression strong it would need to be backed, if tension strong it would need to be a backing. What would purple heart back well? The only wood that is readily available in board form is Red Oak. I assume I can get others from a specialty wood store.
If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline lebhuntfish

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2014, 02:43:50 pm »
I think almostpig hunter has a video of one (Boarior Bows).

Sure does, nice little bow too! Patrick
Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout!

Missouri, where all the best wood is! Well maybe not the straightest!

Building a bow has been the most rewarding, peaceful, and frustrating things I have ever made with my own two hands!

Offline bubby

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2014, 03:01:42 pm »
IMO. you need to back it, I'd trap it some too
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline adb

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #12 on: December 04, 2014, 03:28:31 pm »
IMO. you need to back it, I'd trap it some too

+1

Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2014, 04:07:36 pm »
OK, would red oak work as a backing, or would you suggest something else? I can get white oak, but not really anything else. Well, I do have mountain maple, but it is a stave that would have to ripped down to backing strips.
If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline bubby

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Re: Purple heart
« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2014, 06:10:21 pm »
jojo if you have white oak use that, its a great backer
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹