Author Topic: Tri lam belly wood (Read 2631 times)

504state · « **on:** January 27, 2019, 06:13:42 PM »

Hey guys it’s been a while. I know you get this question over and over again so I figured I would go ahead and ask.
I moved I just now got the time to move my tools in from storage. To my surprise I found a decent amount of Ipe and a couple pieces of bamboo. I want to try and tackle a try lam.
I figure ipe for the core, bamboo back, and maybe curly maple or an exotic belly wood. I would order the belly wood tapered.
What thickness belly wood should I use and what should I have it tapered down to?
What thickness should I cut the Ipe down to?
?
Lastly does anyone have a build for a basic R/D form made of 2 by 4?

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2019, 06:27:53 PM »

Curly maple is not a good belly wood.

What weight bow you looking to make?

504state · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2019, 06:58:41 PM »

50-55@28”

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2019, 07:04:52 PM »

I'd make the belly lam 1/4 to 5/16th thick parallel, core lam 3/16th thick at riser tapered to 1/16th at tips, boo 1/8th at riser, tapered to 1/16th at tips. Bow length 62-64 nock to nock.

504state · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2019, 07:28:26 PM »

Should I taper the belly lam going up the fades?

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2019, 08:19:09 PM »

I don't do that..

Crooked Stic · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2019, 09:10:33 PM »

THe only way I will use Curly maple in a limb would be a glass bow and >030 or less veneer---dont ask

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2019, 09:38:14 PM »

Yup, we tried curly maple one time on a bow as a backing and it blew apart.

504state · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2019, 09:44:21 PM »

Glad I asked. It would be pretty. What do you recommend that would be a good combo with Ipe and bamboo. I want to go for something other than Osage only because I have several Osage bows

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2019, 09:46:13 PM »

Elm, black locust, hard maple or black walnut core lam..

504state · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2019, 10:32:06 PM »

Do you heat treat the belly lam at the fades to get a curve there?

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2019, 04:31:52 AM »

I never heat treat anything.

The r/d all comes from the glue up in my form.

The glue joint is what retains the shape of the bow.

Out of form.

Crooked Stic · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2019, 08:59:46 AM »

Roy that form is pretty neat for an ole guy.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2019, 09:16:12 AM »

Thanks Mike.

Us old timers gotta work smarter:)

504state · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2019, 11:58:50 AM »

I found an bamboo backed Osage I started R/D that came out under weight. I think I’m going to get the limbs flat and add a thin piece of ipe for the belly and see what happens.

504state · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2019, 01:13:39 PM »

I’m trying to make one where the belly lam goes over the fades on the riser block.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2019, 04:42:40 PM »

Go for it.

BMorv · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2019, 05:20:45 PM »

How thin is your ipe?
It will have to be really thin to bend around most riser fades.

504state · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2019, 09:19:42 PM »

I can get it as thin as I like. I figured I would have to go pretty damn thin.
I’ve made several bows with three laminations that shoot good. In the past I started with an ipe or Osage board roughed out and glued thin parallel piece of Purple Heart or something between the board and a bamboo backing. I glued it up on a form I made from 2 by 4 based on a build along I found somewhere.
I glued the handle straight to the board and the fades would transition into the Ipe or Osage. Plenty of wood for tillering.
I’m trying to make a bow where the belly wood comes up and covers the fades.

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Author Topic: Tri lam belly wood (Read 2631 times)

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