Laminated Bow---No Glass?

[Trick]

I've been thinking of trying this, but wanted to see if any of you have done or do these types of bows.

I've seen some that are hickory or bamboo backed, but I was kind of thinking of something like Dryad does.

Thanks,
Patrick

[Pat B]

I've made backed and multi-lam bows with all natural materials, all with good results. Be sure you use appropriate backings, bellies and core lams. Bellies should be strong in compression, backings strong in tension and cores light weight but strong enough for the glue joints. Also be sure that your belly and backings are appropriate for each other.

[red hill]

Pat, what did you mean by "be sure that your belly and backings are appropriate for each other"?
Stan

[Pat B]

Stan, some woods are strong in compression, some are strong in tension and some are strong in both. You don't want to use a strong backing(boo) on a weak compression wood(hickory, ash, red oak, etc) belly or a weak backing(ash, maple) on a strong compression(osage, ipe, etc) wood. ie. boo backings are good on osage, ipe and other tropicals, yew and a few other strong compression woods. Hickory is strong enough for those woods also. I don't think boo is a good backing for hickory, red oak, ash or other woods not strong in compression but hickory can be appropriate. Hickory, elm, maple or ash would be an appropriate backing for these woods.
  I know that folks have successfully made boo backed bows using all different belly woods but the chances for a beginner to fail are higher when the "wrong"(my words), less appropriate woods are used. I know that boo backed bows are cool and everyone wants to make one but one should learn the different values of different woods so they can make an educated selection for appropriate belly woods and backing woods(boo included).
  I very rarely make boo backed bows anymore. I can make a good shooting hunting weight bow with more confidence in the hickory backing material than a boo back and with half of the hassles of preparation and glue up than I can with a boo backing.

[kennym]

Excellent post Pat!

[red hill]

Very excellent post, Pat.  As you have probably guessed I'm trying to learn through you guys.  I am amazed at the knowledge all of you so freely share.  I grew up in the sticks of southern Ark but I'm a late bloomer to traditional archery.  Your patience and help are greatly appreciated.
Stan

[Trick]

Thank you, Pat.  

Would it work if I used 4 laminations of maple?  I was thinking 3 tapers and a parallel, or some similar combo; maybe even action wood.

[Pat B]

When working with multi-lam bows, just like with glass lam bows the tiller and poundage is figured out ahead of time so you utilize all the wood you put into the bow stack. By guessing on what lams to use you will have to experiment until you come up with the right recipe for the bow you want. I have built multi-lam all wood bows using the "Guess" method and was not satisfied with the results.
A hickory backed bow will do whatever you want to do with a bow and is easy to assemble. It also tillers just like a self bow.
  My personal choice is a simple self bow. I do what the stave wants so that way I don't have to think about any of it. I let instinct take over and before I know it, I have a bow.  d;^)
  There is a lot more to a multi-lam bow than just stacking lams. If that is the way you want to go, be prepared to build a lot of bows to perfect the design you want. You can build a very fine bow using multiple lams, many bowyers have done so in the past and are building them now.

[walkabout]

i think if it were me i would go with maybe a single laminate first to get the basics down before moving onto multiple laminate bows.dutchwarbow posted an excellent build along of a bamboo laminate on here that explains the complexities of a multiple laminate wood bow, you should check it out, lots of good information in that one. ultimatley it is your choice though, so go ahead and build as you like.