First bamboo backed ipe (BBI) build-a-long!

[Apex Predator]

Starting my first BBI (bamboo backed ipe).  Looking for a 68" NTN straight profile 50@27 longbow.  I started with a bamboo plank 2" wide and 72" long, and an ipe board 3/4" X 1 1/2" X 72.  

 

My first step was to flatten the belly of my bamboo so that I could draw my bows profile.  After cutting out that profile I thinned my boo.  This next photo is one I thinned for a BBO build earlier.  Ipe can handle thicker boo, so I left this one slightly thicker.

 

Next I traced out the profiled boo onto the ipe and cut it out, staying outside the lines.  After sanding the sides of the ipe flat I drew a straight line from just out side the fade out region to the tips.  My taper is around 1/2" to 5/16" at the tips.  Now I needed to figure out how to do the handle.  I wanted ipe with a hickory accent, but didn't have any ipe other than a second stave.  I figured I could spare wood from the width of this stave only.  I cut a thin strip from the edge which I laminated with epoxy to make a handle piece.  I figure it will probably be stronger this way.  When laying out everything on my form I discoverd that the ipe was bending at the handle when pulling it into reflex.  This has me worried some.  I found, by trial and error, where I had to put my first two clamps.  Anywhere else and the handle wouldn't mate well with the core.  I figured on 2 1/2" of glued in reflex.  Here she is all glued up with Titebond III.

 

I let her sit in the form for 36 hours, just to be safe!  When I took her out of the form she retained just 1" of reflex!  Hopefully I can tiller this baby perfectly.  I guess a little string follow won't hurt her?  Here she is just out of the form.

 

 

Glue lines look great!

 

These two knots are worrying me some as well!  They say ipe is a really tough customer.  We will see.

 

 

Should I narrow the tips more before starting to tiller?  I want my tips to be around 1/4".  I'll continue to post my progress.  Thanks in advance for all advice.  Please comment, since I am just a novice.

[ChristopherO]

Looks good.  I was prepping a plank of boo on Saturday for my first BBH project.  Keep us posted.

[FOX SQUIRREL NUTS]

Were do you find the IPE board stock?  Looks purty good so far!!

[CJ Pearson]

nice job Marty, Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[Apex Predator]

Here is the handle after rough shaping.

 

And the tip overlays glued on.  I will shape them tonight and post some more.  Stay tuned!

 

[Apex Predator]

I bought my ipe from kennym on this site.  Good prices and super fast priority shipping.

[TRACY F]

Looks good so far A.P.. I wouldn't worry too much about the knots, neither look like they are on the edge.

[FOX SQUIRREL NUTS]

Thanks Apex!  Looking good.  Like the handle section...

[Apex Predator]

I think I'm gonna give her a few pulls and get the limbs bending even before I narrow the tips.  I just think there will be too much mass if left wide.  This thing probably weighs 5 pounds right now!  A lot of wood is gonna have to come off.  I don't want to come in under weight on this one.  I plan to tiller it to 55@27 and hopefully it will hit closer to 50 after finishing.  I lost an inch off of each tip this morning while trying to sand the boo flat for my overlays.  I couldn't get the transition to fit worth a darn, so I had to cut them off and try something else!  So now I'm down to 68" total, and shooting for 66 1/2" or so NTN.

[Apex Predator]

Here are the tips after first shaping.

 

 

They are starting to come around here.

 

 

The start of a string groove.

 

 

This ipe is tough stuff!  I don't know what I'm going to remove wood from the belly with.  All my files and rasps just chatter across the surface, occasionally gouging the surface.  A scraper and sandpaper may be all that will work on it.  Any suggestions?

[kennym]

Hey Marty,lookin real good!! I've got a hobby rasp 4way, flat/half round rasp on one end,same with file on other end. I tend to use the round side rasp most.


It isnt as agressive as my regular rasp,but seems to work better.

[FOX SQUIRREL NUTS]

Do you have a Bowyer edge?

[Apex Predator]

I have a brand new rasp file combo that just skips across the surface of this stuff.  It will gouge it pretty bad on occasion. I have one of those rectangular scrapers about the size of an index card.  It doesn't chatter too bad.

[Apex Predator]

Here she is ready for the long string.

 

I think the left limb is still a little weak.  My tiller tree looks crooked to me.  I'll have to check that out before I go any further.  How far do you folks pull them before going to a short string?

 

[RGK]

This is very cool. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[Apex Predator]

Here she is on a short string.  Brace is only about 4".  One limb showed much stronger when I put this short string on her.  Now I have a couple of hinges about mid way down each limb that I have to work out.

 

[Apex Predator]

I'm getting worried about making 50@27!  In order to get it bending a little more outside the fadeouts I have taken off quite a bit of weight.  This is her 38@20.  Please tell me what you think about the tiller.  Am I good to pull it further?  Do you think I can make it to 53-54@27 before final finishing?

 

[Bert Frelink]

You should make the weight you are looking for but........
this is the time to s-l-o-w down a bit and pick your spot carefully.
You are doing a great job, keep up the good work.
Regards, Bert.      

[Apex Predator]

Well I took some wood off the right fade and outer third of both limbs and pulled her to 42@22.  Here she is.

 

I think things improved some and drew her 44@24 here.

 

I was getting down further in weight each time I tried to tweak the tiller.  She still had some of that 1" of reflex that I had when she was fresh out of glue up, so I figured I couldn't be over stressing her much.  I decided to forge ahead.  Wound up with 50@27.

 

I didn't miss weight by too much!  The tiller is far from perfect though.  I think it could still bend more at the fades and tips, but too late now!  Here is the profile after tillering.  Only one inch of set is my best to date.  Still stands straight.  Maybe the stiff tips will help performance?  At least that's what I've read.  

 

Here are the tips a little closer to being finished.  

 

What to do with the handle?  I want a small shelf cut in 1/2" or so.  My handle center is the bows center as well.  The flat handle section is 4 1/2" long.  I was thinking of cutting my shelf 2" above center.  I shoot three under.  How should I orient the handle with the bamboo backing.  Either limb can be top at this stage.  I can cut the shelf clear of the node, or at the node.  

 

[kennym]

Looks good!!        A ? tho,why did ya stop the boo before the string groove? Not criticizing,just don't know much about these type bows. Looks like a hog slayer to me!!