bamboo backed red oak bow

[LaBill67]

I'm starting a bamboo backed red oak build and looking for some advice. I've completed one red oak bow and attempted one other and noticed the red oak takes on substantial string follow after tillering.  I'm considering putting in some reflex during the glue up but am unsure how much to go for.  That's my question.  How much reflex is the right amount?

[Pat B]

I would find a more compression strong belly wood for the boo backing. Hickory or hard maple would be a better backing choice for red oak.
 If your red oak bows took substantial set, adding reflex will only add more stress.
 When I back a bow I usually only add 3", maybe 4" of reflex at glue up. This should give you a flat profile bow or one with a small amount of reflex after it is shot in. More reflex that that can over stress the bow just getting it braced.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

If you can get away from oak I sure wood, like Pat said hickory will give you a better bow or hard maple by far. Ive made half a dozen boo backed hickorys with adding 2" of reflex at Glue up and they have all come out strait or right at it. Super bows and all excellent shooters when done. Good luck!

Tracy

[LaBill67]

Well the boo backed red oak build was a fail. Everything was fine right up to full brace during tillering when the boo splintered nearing full draw.

[mikkekeswick]

The reason your red oak is taking set is the physical properties of it.
It is very strong in tension and not so great in compression.
Look up 'trapping the back'. This technique will eliminate most of the set.
Red oak will make a great bow IF you even up its strengths.

[forestdweller]

In my opinion red oak is over rated in terms of board bow woods. The hard maple I have used from the depot is vastly superior in flexibility and according to the wood data base it is superior to red oak in tension.

There's a reason why they use hard maple for things like baseball bats, bowling lane flooring, skateboards, and other "abusive" purposes. It's because it's a very strong resilient wood.

I'm sure that red oak can make an excellent bow but I doubt you would find the kind of red oak you'd need for such a bow at a place like the depot.

[Pat B]

Red oak is considered good beginners board bow wood because it is readily available almost everywhere. There are lots better bow woods if you can get them but for most beginners, red oak is available and cheap.
 I've only made a few red oak board bows and only one or 2 were backed and they were backed with hickory. One was a long(70")2" wide bow with an overbuilt design. It turned out to be a dog. Another was a 3 1/4" wide pyramid bow (66" I believe)that shoots well, still has some reflex and it has been abused for years. I let anyone shoot this one just to see how it turned out and it has come through with flying colors.
 Bamboo is such a strong tension backing that I prefer higher compression strong woods like osage or ipe for the belly.

[BMorv]

Where is your bamboo coming from?  If you are paying the shipping cost to get quality bamboo like from the stores on the west coast, then why not pay the shipping cost to get a much better belly wood?  
A well prepared quality bamboo backing is really tough stuff.  I would have to question the quality of the bamboo and preparation of it if failed before a red oak belly.  I've had 10 or so failures on bamboo backed bows, and not once was it a result of the bamboo failing.  
I scrap the rind off then sand it super smooth down to 1000 grit before I start tillering.

[YosemiteSam]

I've had bad luck with red oak from HD.  Others have better luck with better sources.  Maple has been better for me but it's harder to find good pieces of straight-grain material.

[BMorv]

The only 1X boards sold at the "depots" in my area are poplar, red oak, whitewood, and pine.  
I'm sure LaBill has seen the same thing in his neck of the woods.

[Pat B]

Look for local specialty lumber companies like wood workers, furniture makers use.

[passion for knowledge]

My first bow was a red oak board bow with drywall tape backing.

Shoots, but came in lighter than I intended - #30 @ 28"

Made another, this time with fibreglass mat backing - #42 @ 28"

My next two successes were holmegaard/mollegabet, unbacked  bows - Maple from Home Depot #51 & #54

I definitely prefer Maple, but you have to go to the likes of HD or Lowes and spend the time to go through the whole stack and know when to leave empty handed.

I used Maple from HD for the back of a laminated ipe/maple bow, but again, I went through the whole stack in search of good grain - came in #47 @ 28"

Hope this helps in some way.

[LaBill67]

Men, I sure do thank you for yall's inputs.  Most of my problems have revolved around poor wood and maybe just a little impatience plus inexperience at bowyering. With each failed attempt I am learning, at least what not to do. The bamboo I used in this failed attempt was from some I cut myself locally. I have ordered a hickory kit that includes a belly stave and a back along with a piece for the handle. Looking to working with some hopefully quality wood. I'll let you know how that goes as the build progresses. Thanks again for your help and time to respond to my post.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

With the money your spending you would be money ahead to look at and contact Mike Yancey a sponser here at Pine Hollow longbows. He sells many bow kits from selfbows to bamboo backed and has everything you could possibly need, he carries quality staves and bamboo you name it. One of the best bowyers in the country too and gives bow building classes all the time. Good guy!

Tracy

[Roy from Pa]

At least you are having fun trying to make a bow. And it will come in due time, as you learn from your mistakes, and all of us here have failed many times while trying to make our first bow.. Red Oak is the last wood I would use for a bow. But many a guy has made a bow from it. Hickory is your best option for a bow. And all bamboo is not equal either. You are in the best place for help. Ask all the questions you want.

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by LaBill67:
Most of my problems have revolved around poor wood and maybe just a little impatience plus inexperience at bowyering. With each failed attempt I am learning, at least what not to do.  

Welcome to the club.  Same problems here.  But scrapin' & breakin' is part of the fun, right?

[passion for knowledge]

I have 7 shooters from 12 attempts.

scraping & shooting is fun, breaking, not so much!