Quarter sawn ok?

[BenBow]

I'm building some bows for my grandkids and have glued up the first one. I'm using 1/4 sawn white oak for the back, a tapered actionboo core, and eastern red cedar for the belly. The draw weights will be in the 15 to 30 lb range. Since the oak is 1/4 sawn will it need to be backed?

[Dave Worden]

I would think not, as long as you follow one grain line, but I'm more of a woodworker than bowyer.  Let's see what the experts have to say.

[BenBow]

The grain on 1/4 sawn runs 90 degrees from flat grain so any runout is to the side not the back so though it should work like actionboo

[Dave Worden]

I guess I thought you had something like 5/4 stock and ripped some from the edge.  If using it as you suggest, I'm not too sure it would work out.  You would always have runout because of the tapered limb and I'd expect it may want to come apart between the harder grain lines.  I guess if you have one glued up already, you should be able to answer this question pretty quickly.  Pull it and see what happens.  The fact that it's laminated should also help.

[mmgrode]

15 to 30 lbs is not much strain and I would say that quarter sawn oak will hold together if the back is flat and smooth at those weights. A better option would be to find some straight grained hickory and back with that. Much better in tension. Take care, Matt

[BamBooBender]

1/4 sawn white oak will do just fine it's nearly as strong as hickory. You might want something a little  denser for the belly if you start making hunting weight bows BTW.