trying for a kids bow

[robA72]

Hey guys.
I'm trying to make a board bow for my son. I'm using red oak (I know, I know. It's not the best stuff)and it is 48" ttt. It fades in thickness from 3/4 inch at the center to 1/4 at the tips.
At those dimensions, this thing just wont bend. It would be way to heavy of a draw for a 60lb boy.
So my question is: Any suggestions on what thickness I can aim for? I'm worried the board will fail if I go much thinner.
Thank you all in advance

[John Scifres]

Kinda depends on width but, thickness will be less than 1/2" for sure, especially at 48".  My adult sized bows start at 5/8" and generally are 1/2" to 5/8" thick.  Some kids bows I have made are closer to 1/4" thick than 1/2".

[razorback]

I agree with John. i have made several kids bows from red oak and they end up fairly thin. I would start reducing from the fades out and get an even taper from about 1/2" to the 1/4"tips. See how it is bending then and continue from there. Post some pics if you can.

[critman]

I usually shoot for somewhere around 3/8 at the fades and taper to 1/4 for a low poundage bow. Be careful though, it seems to be harder to get good tiller on those thin limbs. Got a pile of broken bows to prove it!  Red oak is fine for kids bows, I am currently working on my fifth one now.

[macbow]

I've made a ton of kids bows. Started out with  just 1/4 inch red oak with glue on handles.
48 inches ttt .
1 1/2'inches wide at the center. Leave room for 4 inche handle and 2 inch fades. Use pyramid style tapering width from 1 1/2 to 3/8 tips.
This design pretty much is tillered already. Will give about 15 pounds at 24 inches draw.

I now mostly make bamboo backed kids bows as all the Gkids have grown.

[robA72]

Okay. Great stuff.
You guys are the best!
So I'll keep going and get this thing down to a 1/2" at it's thickest point. I will get some pics up soon.
Thank you all very much.
Also, have any of you ever tried to condition a red oak board to take some of the dryness out of the wood? If so, what did you use?