Ipe questions

[DavidWood]

I found a local lumberyard/sawmill that has some ipe boards available.  I plan on using it to make a bamboo backed ipe bow.  Probably between 68 to 72 inches nock to nock with 11 or 12 inch handle section.  I want it to be between 45 pounds (or maybe a touch more) at 28 inches.  Through other peoples personal experiences with this wood combination, what would be the ideal bow length limb width and starting limb thickness and tip thickness and width?  Any help is appreciated.

[D]

I usually like my BBI's to end up around 1.25 wide at the fades and keep that to about mid limb and then taper town to a half inch or so.  I don't go over 64" in length.  I have one that is 56.5" nock to nock and its draws out to 28.  The good thing about ipe is you can go more narrow with it than some other woods.  I usually cut my slats 1.5 wide and then half inch thick and then thickness taper them from the center out .002 per inch.  But I make D/R style.  The thickness tapering makes my tillering a little easier.  Maybe some more experiences eyes and ears will chime in.

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

I like my bows short... Nothing over the 66 inch mark from tip to tip. I also was taught 1.25 at the fades and carry that parallel out 6 inches from the fades. Then a straight taper from there to .5 inch knocks. I think ipe is pretty dang tough so if I'm not mistaken it will be thinner than an Osage bow (don't quote me on that I just remember reading that on this sight). Somewhere in the 3/8 to 1/2 inch is plenty thick enough for your 45#. The handle area I very between 4-5 inches long and 1.5-2 inch on the fade length. Ipe is strong wood but make sure you use a mask and cover your skin. I know I have a bad reaction to the dust and many on here have had the same thing. Good luck to you and post a ton of pictures... We all like pictures!!!

[DavidWood]

A question for D.  When you make yours 64" is that with a riser or a bending handle?

[D]

Its with a riser.  I've never made a bendy handle one.  Even the one that I've got that's 56.5 has a riser in it.  I can post some pics if it will help..unless you was wanting a bendy handle version..I can' really help there..haha

Make sure you take Justin's advice and wear a good dust mask and cover your skin.  I always wear a respirator.  I have been fortunate enough to not have ever had a reaction to it but a lot of people have.

[DavidWood]

I will keep all of these tips in mind.  I'll have to go buy a dust mask.  I'm planning on making a bow with a handle.  Yes, I would love to see some pictures.  Other examples are always a help.

[macbow]

Agree with all above.
3/8 will do a 45 pound bow easily.
On the IPE, I wish I could find some locally.
On the best IPE it is very difficult to even see the grain.
Most that I've gotten lately has had knots and bad grain.
This is buying 2x4 boards.
I've about given up ordering.

[D]

I'm with you Mac the only way I can get it is ordering it and that's just a crapshoot on whether its good stuff or not.   I wish I could get ipe and osage locally. I went in the my local "exotic" wood store and asked them if they could get ipe and they said sure but in order to make an order I had to order enough to build a deck..lol  I asked them if they had any osage and she looked at me and said...what?..never heard of it..lol  Oh well I guess...I'll try to get some pics on here tomorrow. My camera woman is asleep on the couch at the moment. haha.

[LittleBen]

D, just remember, YOU don't have to order enough to uild a deck ... just SOMEONE does ....

Now it's time to convince your neighbor to deck in that pool .... lol.

[D]

Ha thats funny. Theres a site that sales it by the board for a fairly reasonable price and thats where I usually get it from

[Boobacker]

D, I sent U a PM I'll be coming down that way let me know maybe Roy and me can find some osage in the bow shop 4 u. Let me know in the PM I sent U