I-beam question

[recurvericky]

I am building a 2-piece longbow with a tenon type socket. I am interested in adding an I-beam and need some advise. I can use glass for the I-beam, but I would also like to know what type of wood would be good, as an I-beam. The riser will be cocobola.

[LittleBen]

Hmm ... tough call ... definately something that's very strong.

Ipe is obnoxiously strong but not very pretty.

Maybe Purpleheart?

Maybe just take your cocobolo block and rip it into three equal thickness pieces and add some phenolic or black glass accent stripes between the layers of cocobolo.

The grain will line up nicely, and the center piuece of cocbolo will be like an I-Beam.

[D]

I vote Osage. It would be a good contrast. Or maybe maple

[recurvericky]

I have some maple. Maybe I could laminate several pieces of thin maple and use that.  I  could do the same with osage.

[BigJim]

I wouldn't use wood and reluctant to use phenolic although it will work. Even if it is strong enough, you will get extra flex in the joint by using anything but glass.

BigJIm

[LittleBen]

Well there's your answer. I'd listen to the guy who's done more of these than probably anyone else.

[Buemaker]

Lignostone if you can get it should do the trick. Bue--.

[recurvericky]

Thanks Jim.

[BigJim]

I'm not saying that you wouldn't be ok with a lighter draw weight bow...at least for a while, but I would rather shoot my TD than wear it.

good luck, BigJim

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by BigJim:
I'm not saying that you wouldn't be ok with a lighter draw weight bow...at least for a while, but I would rather shoot my TD than wear it.

good luck, BigJim

hahaha well said