2nd Bow Maple backed Cherry with lam'd handle

[Thwackaddict]

This is my second bow and first attempt at a backed bow.
62.5 ntn shootin for 50-55# @28"        

[Thwackaddict]

Roughed out and handle glued up.Sorry so many pics but i been a bit behind on my posting.        

[Thwackaddict]

Few more.Heres where I am as of today.        

[Osagetree]

Looks good! Just wish the pics were a little bigger.

[Jeremy]

A 62.5" stiff handled cherry bow that looks pretty narrow?  Getting 28" out of that is going to take some superb tillering and a bit of luck!

Keep us posted - I love the way a cherry bow looks after it's aged a bit!

[Thwackaddict]

Otree-sorry forgot to resize my pics.next ones will be bigger.

Jeremy-its 1.125 at handle 1.625 at fades and i'm hoping i can make it work.Thanks.It has been in my buddys shop for prolly 10yrs or better.

[Dave Bowers]

Lookin good...keep the posts comin  

[Thwackaddict]

Jeremy-about that superb tillering.I got the bottom limb good but the top limb failed me.It broke at 26",not sure if backin failed or i had a hinge but it had some serious bend in it and POW!!!I think i just rushed the top limb tryin to get it to match the bottom limb,shoulda jus left well enough alone,but i guess learn as you go.Hers some pics of the damage and jus for kicks i threw some tung on it and man would it have been beautiful.        

[Thwackaddict]

otree-finaly figured out my pics size.      

[walkabout]

looks like the back blew at a grain runoff, maybe just too much stress though. too bad it looked great.

[Osagetree]

A hickory backing may have held up better???

[Eric Krewson]

I consider maple and cherry as second string bow woods and would use bamboo/hickory, bamboo/osage or hickory/osage for you next bow.

[Thwackaddict]

Walkabout-that seems to be what everyone else thinks also.I got another glued up so i will try again.

Otree-might have but i only have maple

Eric-the wood was free and i have been out of work for 3 mo. and will likely be out for another yr due to health problems so I gotta make do with what i can scrounge up.I would love to try different woods but until i can get back to workin i gotta make this stuff work.

Thanks guys

[NEProf]

Thwackaddict,
I am with you. Money is tight right now, so I am limited to wood that is cheap and available. Since osage does not grow anywhere near where I live, and since I will not spend (nor do I have the money to spend) the asking price for an osage stave, it is out of the question for me. I did pick up a very cheap ipe board today at a lumber yard.

[Thwackaddict]

NEProf-There is alot of osage round here but being new to bowyerin i havent cut any yet,rest assured this fall i will be sitting on a pile of it!!Got lots of access to good wood just didnt know.If i knew 2yrs ago what i know now i would be well stocked.

[recurvecody]

realy nice handle,sorry about the break you'll get it next time.very nice lookin wood.

[John Scifres]

That's how we learn.  Keep at it.  Thanks for posting.

[AZ_Shooter]

The bow looked very nice, it's a shame it blew on you.  What glue did you use for the laminated handle?