Elm bow layout?

[BHTGdogs]

I have a 65 in. stave to work with and would like some ideas as to what is a good lay out to get a bow around 70lbs. Or a recurve in the 60lbs range. At 28in draw.

[Pat B]

Have you built a wood bow before? I see you have a red oak bow listed above. Elm makes an excellent bow, either straight limb or recurve. It would depend on your ability as to what the best design would be.

[BHTGdogs]

yes i have built a few got a hackberry static recuve and a couple board bows also got a hickory in the works. Just want to rough them out so they will dry faster and be close to the right dimensions.

[Diamondback59]

id make a static recurve   those elm static s are probley the fastest  out there for all wood  marc st louis  hold s that crown also   and iv had the idea of a hackberry static  for a while now  how about some pic s of ur s id relley like to see that   brock

[BHTGdogs]

sorry cant do pix I only have internet through my phone.

[Pat B]

I would go 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" at the fades and out 6" to 8" then taper to 3/8" tips for the long bow and 1 3/4" to 2" out most of the limb for the recurve. Make the belly relatively flat for the long bow and dead flat with a rectangular cross section limbs for the recurve.
   Marc St Louis builds beautiful high performance bows with elm.     Pat

[BHTGdogs]

so start to taper 8 in from the fades?

[BHTGdogs]

also can I leave a ring of sap wood on the back

[ChristopherO]

Here is a thought, if you are looking to rough them out for drying purposes why don't you use the dimensions Pat gave above for the recurve and if you decide to go long bow you only need to take of limb width later.
I've not used Elm, yet, but with the hickory recurves I want at least 1 3/4" width.  The current hickory recurve with the sinew curing is 1 7/8" +/-.  I think Pat has hit it on the head.

[Pat B]

You should be using all sapwood. Is this a board or stave? If a stave, peel the bark and whats under it is the back of your bow.

[BHTGdogs]

its a stave  can i have heart wood in the handle i wanted to try to get o two tone color bow

[Roy Steele]

I agree with PAT it should be all sap wood.His DIM.seams good to but I think you better start with 1 3/4 limbs.