Trilam woods

[Mjl834]

I'm planning to make my first Trilam wooden bow in the spring.  From what I've read on here many people use hickory, bamboo, pie but are other woods like cherry, ash, and walnut suitable for this purpose? The reason I ask is because I usually have these woods on hand. Thanks

[BMorv]

Those woods you mentioned would be suitable for the core.  I wouldn’t use them on the belly or back though.
Hickory and bamboo are the most common for the back because they are great in tension.  Ipe and Osage are most used on the belly because they are great in compression. 

[Bowjunkie]

I agree with Bmorv.

If you want to make a really good trilam, use the woods where they're best suited, use the best quality pieces, and size and shape them precisely before glue up. Too often, folks try to use lesser quality pieces in such a bow because they think they can get away with it. There isn't any glass on these things, the wood still has very important jobs to do, so use the best you have.

Don't forget about yew, it's not a bad bow wood Also hophornbeam, mulberry, maple, etc.

Also, don't look past using Osage for both the core lam and the belly. Boo/osage/osage makes an excellent trilam.

[Mjl834]

Thanks for the replies. Could maple be used for the back or belly? Or it best reserved for the core?
Thanks again.

[Roy from Pa]

You can use hard maple for all three of those.

[Mjl834]

Thanks Roy, I just finished reading one of your Tri Lam build alongs, "How about a tri lam build along...." I'd like to make a similar but simplified bow. Can you give some advice for tillering a R/D long bow? I'm not too sure where to begin.

[Roy from Pa]

I do facets on the belly and trap the back a little. Round off any crisp edges with sandpaper, get it bending at floor tiller, then file in the string grooves and put a string on that just reaches both string grooves then put it on the tiller tree and tiller like any other wooden bow. I leave the tips a little stiff, about the last 8 inches.