don't try this at home

[JamesV]

I love to experiment so I had this Idea. Build an IPE core bow and back it with formica. The pattern looked great and the bow shot good, but did stack more than I would have liked. Then after maybe 100 shots it exploded. Also the second and third. Conclusion: Formica (counter top material) is not good bow making material.

[hova]

try corian (solid countertop material)...bet ya its got some elastic to it...

-hov

[Pat B]

Like fiberglass formica doesn't stretch but unlike fiberglass it is solid without the strengthening glass fibers to hold it together. Also like fiberglass and bamboo that doesn't stretch much and it can over power the belly if the tiller isn't just right.