best grain orientaion for boards

[razorsharptokill]

Quarter or flat sawn on Osage boards that will be backed?

[Pat B]

Quarter sawn is best. Edge grain or biased grain work well too. I've never tried flat grain but that is just like using a stave.

[razorsharptokill]

That is what I thought I had read. These boards go from edge grain to quarter sawn on the other end pretty much.

Looking down the sides of the boards I see some wavey grain or run outs. Hope these arent too much of an issue.

[Pat B]

Some run offs are OK if they are not too steep. Wavy grain can be a problem. Backing will help alleviate both problems.

[razorsharptokill]

Some of the grain is really wavey. Would raw hide be better to back with than hickory or boo in this case?

[walkabout]

if you can work around the grain running off the sides you would essentially have a flat grained board. i saw this explained in TBB, not sure which volume though. basically you lay out the profile of the bow on the board to avoid the grain runoffs. itd probably be best to use something like a 4 inch wide board to really get the most out of it. for instance if the grain runs off on the right side on one end you would lay your dimensions out toward the left side of that end, or simply cut the runoffs off and work with what you have left over. with a 2 inch wide board this probably wouldnt work if it was too bad. hope this explanation is understandable.

[Pat B]

For the wavy grain I would go with hickory or boo. Wavy grain can be tricky!  Can you post pics?

[razorsharptokill]

I should have been clearer. The EDGE of the boards is wavey. I'll get some tonight and post them. These boards are 1.5" wide by 7/8 thick I believe.

[Pat B]

I'd go 1 3/8" at the fades and out 6" then taper to 1/2" tips(to be reduced later). 64" to 66" for a 28" draw. Glue in 3" of reflex with the hickory or boo backing. You can easily make a bow of 60#@28"

[George Tsoukalas]

All board cuts will make a bow. Be sure the grain is straight. More on my site. Goodnight. Jawge

[razorsharptokill]

Almost all the boards are like this or quarter sawn on the other end.
 

 

 

[Pat B]

Back that with hickory or boo and make yourself a fine hunting bow. That is the grain(end) orientation I like for backed bows. Being that it is backed the grain violations shouldn't effect anything.

[red hill]

Razorsharp, the edge of my board was extremely wavy. I feel that is what caused the breakage.
Stan

[Tom Leemans]

I agree with Pat. I have made boo backed bows from boards like that. Take your time tillering and excercise it a lot.

[razorsharptokill]

Ok good because I sought out this orientation in all the boards I bought.

I have hickory and bamboo for backing.

[red hill]

Razorsharp, my board looked like the 2nd and 3rd photos you posted.  I wish I hadn't flexed that limb at all before backing.
Stan