white oak and backing

[Bobert]

I have a white oak board that is quarter sawn and would like to make a bow with it ,do I need to back it if I want to make 50# draw at finish?Any help will be apressiated.

[Pat B]

If the grain runs properly, no need for a backing. If you are not sure a simple backing of silk, linen or brown grocery bag paper will help to hold it together.

[carver]

how long a bow?  what style?  1.75" wide, you can make a 50# bow very easily, and still be fairly short...say, 62 or 64 inches long.

quarter sawn white oak is great for bows, and you can heat-temper reflex into it with a heat gun very effectively.  go for it

[Bobert]

I have the bow roughedout and it is 72" 2" at the fades and I the taper is 3/4 to 3/8.I just broke a blackwalnut bow that was almost completed and it hurt my head physicaly and otherwise lol thats why I am asking.Thanks for the input.

[carver]

2" wide is good, 72" long is overkill.  Go to primitive archer, search "white oak holmegaard" or "white oak recurves" by radius...that'll give you an idea what can be done.

[George Tsoukalas]

Now, for 1/4 sawn you definitely need to look at the edge grain and it has to be straight. 'm a little confused as to your dims. If you left it 2 in wide at the handle and 3/4 in thick that's too wide. Did you narrow the handle area? Too what? Did you glue on a piece at the handle? Jawge

[Bobert]

Jawge the handle is 1" wide the bow was finished being tillered and came out at 45# at 28".It is 70" ntn and the best bow I have made so far am very happy with it.It will be given to my girlfriends son as he wants to get into hunting with pim tackle.thanks to all that replyed.

[Bobert]

Oh and yes I did add a riser to the handle it was 10''x1"