Red Cedar from box store good for laminated longbow?

[typical2]

I'm just starting to make some of my own laminations.  Is the red cedar from these stores good for hill style laminated bows.

Also, is this what Dave Johnson uses or are his out of juniper?

[LittleBen]

Eastern red cedar is actually a juniper and you'll notice it looks very similar. This is definately bow wood, will even make selfbows. At the big box stores you'll ususally only find this as mailbox posts I think.

Western red cedar is a cedar and you'll notice doesn't look like juniper. This can sometimes be found as board lumber from the box stores. I'd general recommend leaving the western red cedar for building boats, instead of bows.

I believe either would "work" for a fiberglass laminated bow. I know people on here have posted bows using Eastern red cedar veneers. (not that I've tried either)

ERC will certainly look nice

[kennym]

What Ben said...

And I think? Dave is from TN and also think I've heard he makes em from ERC

You will need to add a bit of thickness to get weight if you use all cedar.

[typical2]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

The cedar i'm talking about is in long trim boards 1.5"x3/4"x 12' Long light and much is free of knots.  Is that more than likely western red cedar?  

I will have to take a lot at mailbox posts though.

[LittleBen]

Thats definately Western Red Cedar. ERC is knotoriously knotty. Finding a straight stave of ERC is nearly impossible.

[typical2]

Ok thanks.  I guess i'll probably go with lamboo cores and see if Kenny has some good red cedar lams.  Your website pics sure look good!

[kennym]

The western cedar I've seen is tan to brown with few knots, the ERC is red/cream and most has a lot of knots.

Here is a unique veneer with no knots, ERC...

 

 

[typical2]

Kenny,

That is awesome.  I'll be in touch in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the pic.

[7 Lakes]

Over build your glass laminated bow by 5-8 pounds.  ERC makes a wonderful bow but it takes more of it.

[coaster500]

Wow Kenny beautiful !!!

I've never used ERC lumber but made a nice shooting elb out of an ERC stave,real fast wood....  I blew another up and chickened out and quit on flat bow I was working (started making a cracking noise). Pretty finicky wood for a selfbow but if you can get it there makes a snappy bow.

[manfromthepast]

Also, if you are using C clamps instead of a pressurized fire hose for your glue up be careful how tight you clamp.  From my experience, ERC will crush easily under the point load of clamps if you are not careful, even with a steel and rubber pressure strip between the glass and the clamps.

[MoeM]

Thanks for showing Kenny, thats definitly one of the most amazing veneers on a bow I`ve ever seen!!