wood combination for tri-lam

[DeanD]

Hey Gang,

I have been given some Ash and Black Walnut that came off my folks' farm.  I would like to use them in a combination to make a "Homestead Bow."

My question is:

1.  can Ash, Black Walnut and Hickory be used together to make a tri-lam?  Are they compatible in tension/compression?

2.  If so, what order might you put them (back to belly)?

I haven't seen the boards yet but at least one of them is under 1/2" thick...so I'm guessing both to be roughly 3/8" or so thick.  I also have a piece of Hickory that I could use to finish out the tri-lam...

Thanks for any insight!

Dean

[Path finder]

I'd think hickory back with an ash core. Not sure about the compresion of walnut for the belly though. You could always go hickory back with two lams of ash and use the walnut for the riser and nocks, I think that would look sharp.

[PV]

I  use ash and walnut as a middle lam in hickory backed tri lam bows. Haven't used them for the belly lam but think both could work. If I was to try that combo I would go with a thin 1/8" hickory backing,a 1/8" walnut middle lam and 1/4" ash bellylam. 1 1/2" wide at the fades and width taper straight to 1/2" tips at least 66" long for first one.The straighter the grain the better the wood for bows
Good luck
Paul

[Path finder]

Nice to see you Paul.

Dave

[DeanD]

Paul and Dave,

Thanks for the insight!  Very appreciated.

Dean

[4runr]

Dean, we'ld all love to see pics when you get it done!!