laminated bow

[swimbill]

I am a newbie in bow making, my question is abut making a laminated bow.  Can I use Osage boards and some other dark (like walnut) wood to make a laminated reflex/deflex long bow?  I have a place tht sells all different types of hardwoods in board form, and I can use my thickness planer to make the laminations.  If this is possible is 3 pieces at 1/4 inch thickness acceptable?  If not what is?  Any advise is appreciated.

[Justin Snyder]

3 pieces 1/4" thick will be a strong bow.  You will probably still need a backing of some sort. Justin

[Gordon]

Like Justin said, you will need something like hickory or bamboo for backing.

[radius]

i've been making laminated bows with osage lately.  1/4 inch is too think.  One of my new bows has 1/8 hickory backing,  and 2 osage lams 3/16 thick...and it draws 58# at 28.  look at the thread in the buildalongs called (Inspired by Rodney Wright's Firehawk..)

If you are going to use a riser and glue the laminations to it, 1/4 inch might be too thick for an easy and complete bend around the fades.

[swimbill]

thanks for the quick responses, I am planning on adding a riser so it looks as if 1/8 inch laminations would be better.  is any wood combinations better than others?

[Joe M]

My next project is a Maple backed Birch longbow with a 1/8" center Ash.  I've done a Maple backed Hickory longbow with a 1/8" center Ash and it's owner has been very pleased with it.  If I remember right I'm thinking it finished #51 @ 28"...  I used (and use) TiteBond III to join all my woods.  I think that's pretty good stuff!

Good luck with your project!