Width for Boo backed IPE

[Archer1961]

Im looking for a starting point on width for a bamboo backed IPE I want to build. I want it to be reflex/deflex 64-66" long and finish at ±60#@28" (actually draw a little longer). Should I just go with IPE and boo or add another lam of something. I have Hickory, pecan, maple. I want a non-bending handle and cut in window. I ve worked hickory and osage but this is round one on IPE. I have plenty of materials and little experience. I did make a Caul and a glue form.

[macbow]

For Ipe I would not go beyond 1 1/4 inches wide. Ipe can do well even narrower.
5/8 inches thick should easily give you the weight you want.
The only other lam I would suggest is a power lam between the bamboo and the Ipe at the handle area.This will strengthen the handle area. When tillering stay away from the fades till you get it close to floor tiller. I Have messed up a number of times working the fades too early.
Ron

[vanillabear?]

[Lee Slikkers]

That BBI build looks really nice.  Do you have any other close up pics of how you went about putting Skins on the Boo?  Do the nodes cause any issues with getting the skins to lay nice and without any gaps?  Thanks~

[vanillabear?]

[Lee Slikkers]

Thanks VBear...I kinda figured there was a trick or different step to that process.  Thanks for the tip and hopefully I can put it to use as I too have a piece of Ipe and a slat of Boo just waiting for a few spare minutes and time on the Caul.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

That bow looks great VB! I'm gonna build one myself real soon, got some Ipe on the way to me.

Lee- What VB said, ain't no different putting skins on boo than anythng else. I sanded my nodes smooth over the hump first, not flat and didn't take off too much just enough to smooth over the hump. I had to keep squashing my skins down with my thumbs while working it toward the ends of the skins to get excess glue and air pockets out. I use Elmers wood glue on mine and it worked just dandy, and it dries clear. TB will leave a yellow tint under the skin because it doesn't dry perfectly clear. Just remember that anything of color under the skin will show through after it dries.

One last thing, I sanded the rind off the boo also. I followed Eric Krewson's skin along for doing mine.

Archer- I plan on using the same dimensions that I did for my BBO, which was 1 1/4" wide with a straight taper down to 1/2" at the tips. Like Mac said, could probably go narrower without any problems getting the wt. you want.
Depending on how thick your Ipe blank is, you'll probably have to add a piece of something else to the belly for a handle depending on what your looking for in that area.
Also, my BBO is only 60" tip to tip and it pulls 50# @28" so you won't have any problems getting the draw length you need at 64" or 66" overall length bow.

[Archer1961]

VBear, that is an awesome looking bow.

I used a carefully selected IPE deck board "1x6" that was smooth finished both sides and cut bow blanks from the width (these can be narrowed from your comments). I just used a table saw to reduce the thickness back to the handle area where the riser blocks will go. I did leave the handle area proud of the starting belly. I'm thinking Bacote or hickory riser.If I want to overlay bacote/antler or other accent on the back only in the handle area, do we see a problem reducing the boo some (say 1/2 of its thickness and feathering it in)? I've done this with buffalo horn tips before to keep it flush.  thanks to all of you for the comments and info. Cliff

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I used the advice that Eric gives in this BBO repair along for prepping my boo backing. I didn't get mine as thin as Eric suggests and it ended up reducing my osage belly lam more than I wanted because I left the boo too thick. Getting the boo a uniform thickness from one end to the other and getting it as perfectly flat as possible is important. It will help immensely during the tillering process, that's something I also learned the hard way. That's why I always strive to make the next one better and learn from my mistakes on the last one....you know what they say about hindsight.

Here's a link to Eric's BBO repair along, use it just as if it were a build along.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=005458;p=1

[Jake Fr]

wow now now i got the bug to build another bbi my first one was a great shooter and i gave it to my cousen for christmass now i want another one i guess i need to fing some bamboo sence i have a lumber lard that careis it here thanks for all the info you all laid out here for this it gives me more ideas