How thick?

[rnickl]

I'm going to try my hand at my first R/D longbow.  I have some 1/8" hickory strips for backing and I have a couple 5/16" strips of Ipe for the core.

Do you folks think 5/16" Ipe will be thick enough to hit 45# draw on a 64" R/D?  I could add a belly layer but, then I'm jumping into new territory again which might be a bad idea?  Any advice would be appreciated.

Rick

[JamesV]

I think if you use a non working handle it would work but be sure to make your fades long or the riser will pop off. I would use a 16" riser with a 4" handle, giving you 6" fades on each end. Make the fades feather out to nothing. Build your riser with a little radius and it will help with the transition at the fades also. Make your limbs 1 1/8 at the fades. Post some pictures of the build, we would love to see. Good luck

James

[PEARL DRUMS]

Without a draw length we are wizzing in the wind. If your talking a 28" draw. I say you will be hard pressed to get a 45# bow with that core. Belly lam's are super easy and work great. I start with 1/8" hardwood backers and 1/2" cores be it osage, hickory, oak or Ipe. My bows all finished between 50-55#'s with little core wood removal at the fade area.

[rnickl]

Thanks for the input guys.

Pearl Drums, Yes, 45# at 28" draw.  Sorry I forgot to include that.

Would hickory be suitable for both the back and belly lamination's?  And, would I need to taper the Ipe from the riser to the tips before glue up?

Rick

[PEARL DRUMS]

Hickory backed hickory is an indestructable combo with good wood. Belly tapering is a good idea if you want to put some good reflex in it. It wont bend nice if left full thickness. Taper it from 1/2 - 3/8 at the tips. Then glue it up to an 1/8 backer.

[Jeff Smith]

I dont know how wide your strips are but it doesnt take much ipe to make 45#. 1/2" thick ipe and 1/8" backer of anything will give you lots of practice on wood removal!!
 A simple pyramid design should get you what you are looking for. An inch of reflex will give you a good 5 pounds more draw weight. Ipe doesnt need much.

[rnickl]

Thanks for the input from all!  My strips are about 1.5" wide so I have plenty to work with in that direction.  Unfortunately they are under 1/2" thick which has me thinking I won't hit my target weight with just a backing.

I have 6-7 strips of this thinner Ipe to work with so I'm going to have a go at a tri lam.  If it doesn't work out I'll chalk it up to gained experience and I'll have plenty material left to have another go at it.    

I haven't built a bow in quite a few years much less a R/D so, I think I'll start out using the first strip to build a kids bow with some mild reflex/deflex to get me back up to speed.

Thanks again folks and have a happy holiday season!