ERC for backing?

[trentcur]

I have read that its horrible for compression......... how are its tension properties for backing? would be in combination with maple for a 66" 50#@28

[jtbluefeather871]

Ok, I've looked throu the vocal post and some other places and can't seem to find it... What's ERC?

[JamesV]

Eastern Red Cedar and I wouldn't use it for backing. It makes a good core for a glass bow.

[Keenan]

ERC should be backed and often will blow unexpectedly if unbacked. I would not use it as a backing.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I sometimes wonder if we would have any bow attraction to it at all if it wasnt purple inside.

[trentcur]

actually I just have a piece laying around that would be a perfect backer....... 1/8". shoud it be attempted or no

[trentcur]

and as i said............ its a maple belly....... the erc would be used for backing only. thanks

[rainman]

don't back with ERC.

[Pat B]

Use the maple to back the ERC.

[Black Mockingbird]

At an 1/8" you can also sandwich it,and make a tril-lam with it. For example, a hickory back,the erc core,and a osage belly. White,red,orange

[trentcur]

ok thanks for the input. Ill scrap it......... actually I should hang it in the house it smells so good!  

[coaster500]

Chris I think you hit the nail on the head but it is purple and dang it smells great!!!

Orrrrr maybe it's a bow builders version of living on the edge  

[Black Mockingbird]

Hmmm?  I do recall it being called eastern RED cedar..lol..ok.ok...call me a smart alek    

But yeah, I think that wood be a pretty combo...I've thought of it before,but haven't carried that thought out(one of many thoughts). Too many bows to make and too little time to do them all.

And trentcur I wouldn't scrap it...save it cus you might change your mind down the road.

[trentcur]

ok so I have a confession........ when I asked the question I had already backed the maple bow with the ERC........

So I figured rather than sand it off I would give her a wirl. after all it is just a kiddies bow 30#@26

Man it was a gorgeous bow......... that stuff looked so purty and smelled so good!!!!! Man the tiller looked great, just got her to 26 and was thinking man the tradgang nutts dont know what they are missing..... what a gorgeous bow!

All of a sudden no warning no crick BANG the ERC blew up. I have never seen a wood BLOW up...... usually they just kind of give way. Not this stuff.

THe bow belly is fine so I sanded off and I just rebacked with a spliced peice of maple.

So I love ERC........ for building risers and tip overlays    
 

[Black Mockingbird]

Awe...bummer man. You could've glued on that piece of maple on top of it and sandwiched it like I had mentioned. Next time tell the truth,n it might save ya some trouble..oh well...too late now

[trentcur]

well I was telling the truth......... when I said scrap it I meant that I was gonna sand it off but changed my mind.

Oh well it was kinda fun trying!  

[trentcur]

I think I did something stupid.......... shen re backing I should have sanded off the tip overlays and ran the maple full length and glued the overlays back on afterwards.... I didnt so I should prolly cut off the tips and put the tip overlays directly over the maple right?

Dont know what I was thinking.
 

[trentcur]

by the way she sits at 66" tip to tip at the moment...... Im only going for 30# so 64" will be plently long.