long draw on a red oak board bow?

[sticksnstones]

I'm getting ramped up to build my first bow, a 72" red oak board bow laid out pyramid. I draw 31.5" and I'm wondering if it will handle that at any draw weight or if I'll have to back it?

Mostly this bow is for practice, learning how to use the tools, etc. I expect it will end up hanging on a hook or in a fire in the near future, but it would be fun to shoot if it works.

Last question, anyone making selfbows in west Michigan these days?

Thanks everyone for the wealth of knowledge already archived on this forum, it's already been invaluable!
Thom

[Living_waters]

A light linen or silk backing wont hurt,if it does explode it can dampen the carnage and save an eye or bloody nose(dont ask how I know about the bloody nose)

I have had good results using the formula Bow Length=((Draw Length x 2) x 1.15) +1 for unbacked oak pyramid. Thats puts you at 73.5, with a good tiller and maybe a little backing it is very doable. At this draw grain orientation will be really important also.

[Cuban Missile]

ok but how do you know about the eye!!!  

[PEARL DRUMS]

Get some hickory and make a bow you can shoot and keep rather than firewood as you suggested. Menards carries a wonderful supply of good hickory. There are a bunch of self bow builders in Michigan.

[sticksnstones]

I guess I should have put 32" into that formula instead of 31". Thanks for the info, and the safety tip! I'll just plan on backing it, I'll read up on the properties of linen and silk. I was thinking of a roll of fiberglass tape and skins if I needed too. Cloth sounds much cheaper for the practice bow!

I found a great board, one ring right down the center for 72". Too bad I had to pay 1x6 prices to get it, but all the 1x3 and 1x4 boards had horrible grains.
Thom

[sticksnstones]

I was looking for hickory when I found this, I'll check at Menards next. Thanks for the pointer.

Fallback plan for hickory is 3 Rivers, I assume all of their boards are well suited for bow making and I need to make an order from them soon anyway.

I've seen a few self bows at Tom's shop in Rockford so I figured there are a few guys making them nearby.
Thom

[PEARL DRUMS]

Thom I bet there are at least 4-5 capable self bowyers within 90 minutes of your place. Most are quiet about it so you just never know how close they may be.

[Black Mockingbird]

Originally posted by PEARL DRUMS:
Get some hickory and make a bow you can shoot and keep rather than firewood as you suggested. Menards carries a wonderful supply of good hickory. There are a bunch of self bow builders in Michigan.

Red oak isnt firewood as long as your grain is good.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Black Mockingbird? Sounds like a combo of Blackhawk Road and Mockingbird Lane to me.........red oak lover....