hickory/bamboo backed short osage

[Justin Falon]

Tell me about backing a short osage bow with hickory or bamboo.  My bow is 54" tip to tip.

Read on another site that it is possible to back it with hickory.

Thoughts?

justin

[Pat B]

I prefer hickory over boo because it is more predictable and especially in a highly stressed bow. At 54" I'd make that bow bend through the handle if you are pulling 26" to 28".

[Justin Falon]

how thin should I make the hickory?
1/16?  3/16?

[tenbrook]

1/8" or less

[Pat B]

I usually cut hickory backing strips at 3/16". After sanding both surfaces it usually ends up about 1/8" or slightly less.

[Roy from Pa]

You will want your hickory backing to be 1/4 sawn also, edge grain.

[Justin Falon]

so where do I buy this stuff that is thin?

justin

[John Scifres]

3 rivers, raptor archery, kustom king, PINE HOLLOW lONGBOWS

[Pat B]

I bought a hickory board from a lumber company and cut my own. I got a 10" long 5/4x 6" board cut it into a 6' and 4' pieces, cut 3/16 strips from the 5/4 side of the 6' piece for full length backing strips and cut the 4' piece(also from the side) into backing strips that will be spliced at the handle.

[Justin Falon]

I like that idea the best of all.  I will buy my own and have someone cut it.

Thanks for all who replied!!!

justin

[Pat B]

Study the stacks for a board with good grain not only on the end and back but also the sides. You want as little run offs as possible and if there any, not too abrupt. Also, if you are going to cut strips from the sides of the board be sure you pick a board that will allow for the right grain configuration(s)for that.
  Hickory is tough stuff. I have made backing strips from wood with bad grain swirls and run offs and never had a backing failure but ideally you want to get a board that is as good as you can.

[Roy from Pa]

Warrior, check your pm's.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I built a 50" ntn bendy BBO that I pulled to 60# @ 30 plus inches. It never broke as planned. So I shot the crap out of it for a year or so and gave it away to a friend with a 25-26" draw. Hickory or boo on osage will take a serious beating if tillered well and if you start with good materials.