bow build questions from a newbie

[eflanders]

I would like to build an all-wood r/d hybrid longbow that will pull about 40-45# @ 28".  Please tell me if you think this would work:  I plan to use hickory for my limbs coupled with a thin and narrow lamination of black walnut (as a contrasting power-strip)centered in the hickory.  I will cut the hickory at approx. 64" long by 1-3/4" wide  by 3/8" thick and the walnut power-strip at about 64" long by 3/4" wide by 1/8" thick. The hickory strip alone will be placed into a steam box for forming over a mold.  Once formed (air cooled), I plan to glue on the thin walnut powerstrip with Titebond III onto the hickory. Then I plan to glue the 20" x 1-3/4" red oak & walnut riser onto the hickory and walnut limbs (again with Titebond III).  Then shape limbs, tiller, finish shape riser and finish.

What do you think?  Suggestions?  Ideas?

[Bradford]

Your plan is solid and I know hickory works well if you have good vertical grain.

I am not to sure how the walnut will work with compression.. hopefully someone has an idea on that.

But everything else sounds good.  I did an all wood with hickory and maple.. it was done in laminations and still works today!  I used tight bond 3 on that one as well.

[Pat B]

Neither hickory or black walnut are good in compression. I would try to find a better wood for the belly. Also I wouldn't steam the wood into shape but get your R/D shape at glue up. You will get better performance that way. The TB glue will work fine for the glue up.

[Bradford]

Well that would explain why I have some stacking on my all wood.

I am more of a fiberglass man myself..hehe

[eflanders]

What woods are suitable for compression that are commonly found in the upper midwest?

[Roy from Pa]

Any Osage up there? That's one of the best bow woods.

[eflanders]

No Osage but we do have Ash, Hickory, Maple, Walnut, Ironwood, Elm and Oak for hardwoods...  Are any of these any good?

[eflanders]

Alder, Birch, Hard Maple, Red Oak
Ash, Butternut, Hickory, Soft Maple
Aspen, Cherry, Poplar, Walnut
Aromatic Cedar, Elm, & White Oak

These are all of the woods I can find locally.  Any of these any good?

[hova]

i cant say ive heard of butternut , is that a hickory or is that the actual wood?


-hov

[Bradford]

Looks like it is white walnut!  Cool.

[Rainshooter]

the hard maple would be perfect for the belly

[Pat B]

Butternut or white walnut(Juglans cinerea)is not a good bow wood. Too soft.
  Eric, of the woods you mention I'd say for backings use hickory, hard maple, white oak or elm. For belly wood use hard maple, white oak, elm or ironwood(if it is hop hornbeam)and ash...but use the appropriate backing wood for the chosen belly wood. Cherry and black walnut can be used as a backed bow with the appropriate backing wood and design.
  Soft maple, aspen, poplar and aromatic cedar would not be appropriate for bow woods but will make good arrows.
  All of the woods you mentioned, except the arrow woods mentioned, will make good selfbows if the proper design is used.