walnut?

[giff]

I would like to make a 60" longbow that is 45# @ 28". I would like to use walnut for the limbs, I think I read somewhere that it was a good wood to use. how thick should it be to get 45# ? I am new to bow making.  

 

[Russell S.]

all depends on the shape and width of the limb.  i would recommend you start with a kit from bingham's
you can get there instructions for one of there long bows for a good price then build your own form, and hot box.  or if your a bit more adventurous call up or PM kenny his screen name is kennyM here he may be out hunting now he can hook you up with a excellent pattern for your form and will get you the stack you need to get the weight you want.  they have pre determined lam stacks you can order for the form so you don't have to guess so much at weight.  
walnut is a good choice.  don't let things like building a hot box scare you,  i have seen plenty of pictures of hot boxes made out of scape material or just some insulation, pieces of PVC and a few lights.  ask lots of questions and post lots of pictures as you go.  the people here will be more then enough to guide you thru your first bow.

[John Scifres]

Do you want to make a wooden selfbow or a fiberglass bow?

Selfbow = a bow made of a single material (usually wood) from the back to the belly of the working section of the bow limb.  Aesthetic backings don't do any work.

[giff]

I would like to make a selfbow

[Mike Most]

Do a Sam Harper search, he has a site "poor mans bows" and a very excellent tutorial on building a first bow, These are red oak but the experience you gain is invaluable. Sam is an excellent teacher and his site for your purpose would be highly recommended for reading. Then for the second bow, get out the walnut,

my 2 cents

Mike

[Dublin Joe]

I've read it can be a good wood but only if done right.  From what I remember it's good in compression but a little brittle in tension which means a backing would make a great bow.  It's all in the details, though, so I think it can be done without a backing if you get the limb width and other specifics right.

Good luck.

Joel

[giff]

how is maple in tension?

[John Scifres]

Sugar maple is OK.  But you'd probably be better off with red oak than either of those woods.  Hickory would be even better.  Are these boards or log split staves?

  Board Bow Instructions

[sulphur]

Giff i have actually made a walnut bow, however it does have an ash backing.   its a really light weight bow wood thats not great in tension and only ok in compression.  it will fret easily if not handled carefully.  It is a beautiful bow though.  wish i had taken pics of it. i can answer more questions about walnut but if your new to bowmaking i would really suggest hickory or red oak as your first try.  hickory because it tough and forgiving or red oak because it cheap and readily available.  here is my video build along.  its 19 parts and is of  red oak bought at lowes.
 
this is part 1.

[red hill]

Giff, these guys have a good point. Sam's build-a-long is very good. He's a natural teacher and excellent entertainer as well.  Red oak is much cheaper and easier to come by and the red oak board bow is a good teaching technique.  Hickory is also good to work with, and makes a good bow if it's available. I've listened to the advice of these guys at TG and they won't lead you wrong.  
Start simple and grow.
Stan

[Goose Gossett]

I would advise starting a red oak board bow because...

1. they are cheap
2. you'll put much time in your first one and it it breaks you're only out $11 and the time you put in.
3. red oak is pretty forgiving and the plans are straight forward on many sites.
4. great learning opportunity and once you begin to "improve" on your ability then you can get a bit more creative.  

just my .02

[limbcracker]

I've made a number of very nice shooting self bows from walnut, but its a bit brittle, so leave it on the long side.  The lighter, sapwood  is best in tension, and the heartwood in compression, so the very best is a  combination of sapwood for the bows back and heartwood for the belly, I split log is ideal, but you can do it with a fairly straight board. But I would recommend 68" tip to tip for a 28" draw, 66" minimum, and a pyramid design, ala TBB.