Post by: bdsmith1 on March 20, 2025, 05:58:36 PM
I usually make self and backed bows, but I'm branching out to try and make some glass bows. I've made a few from ordered lams, but I've invested in a dedicated re-saw bandsaw and drum sander, so I was hoping to start making my own. I was thinking about using ash for core lams because I have a ton of it. Has anybody got a decent amount of experience using ash for core wood? I searched the forum but there's next to nothing on it which I'm afraid is a hint. I'm building a hybrid 62" r/d longbow.
The stack for that bow is .360ish for a 50# bow. Minus the .08 for glass, would you split the rest evenly to .093 each at the but end with ash?
I'm in northeast Georgia, so hard maple is a no go. I can get local woods at the sawmill, so any tips on what species around here make good core lams or the future would be helpful.
Thanks,
Brian
Post by: Crooked Stic on March 20, 2025, 06:29:58 PM
Post by: bdsmith1 on March 20, 2025, 06:41:42 PM
Post by: Crooked Stic on March 20, 2025, 06:53:44 PM
Post by: bdsmith1 on March 20, 2025, 06:59:12 PM
Post by: Buemaker on March 20, 2025, 07:15:47 PM
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2023/05/31/open-grain-vs-closed-grain-wood?srsltid=AfmBOor5eg3gxl1KCKjeu0vyVi0zYOSoNfkdpNC398_v9RIL3GLLOA4_
Hickory, Ash and Elm are open grained woods. Elm is very good for bow laminates in a glass bow, so why not Ash. In the year rings if the early wood is narrow compared to the summer growth it is usually good quality. I have made glass bows with White Oak lams that worked just fine. I would think that the only drawback using Ash is that it looks kind of plain under clear glass. Ash makes a good self bow.
Post by: Crooked Stic on March 20, 2025, 07:56:04 PM
Post by: kennym on March 20, 2025, 08:37:47 PM
Seriously tho, there have been recurves, and longbows built with all eastern red cedar lams , and I'd sure trust ash much more...
Post by: Crooked Stic on March 20, 2025, 10:07:52 PM
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Post by: dbeaver on March 21, 2025, 08:27:31 AM
White ash
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .67
Janka Hardness: 1,320 lbf (5,870 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 15,000 lbf/in2 (103.5 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,740,000 lbf/in2 (12.00 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,410 lbf/in2 (51.1 MPa)
Hard maple
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .56, .71
Janka Hardness: 1,450 lbf (6,450 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 15,800 lbf/in2(109.0 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,830,000 lbf/in2(12.62 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,830 lbf/in2 (54.0 MPa)
They dont seem terribly different by stats, But try it out I've seen some bowyers over in europe use ash as core lams for a good portion of their custom bows
Post by: Tim Finley on March 21, 2025, 11:31:19 AM
Post by: Crooked Stic on March 21, 2025, 12:47:30 PM
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Post by: Jeff tech on March 21, 2025, 03:43:41 PM
Post by: bdsmith1 on March 21, 2025, 10:09:51 PM
Post by: Stagmitis on March 23, 2025, 01:03:54 PM
Post by: bdsmith1 on March 30, 2025, 11:55:28 AM