soft maple

[jflars]

I picked up a maple board at home depot for a self bow but was advised its probably soft maple. Bad for a self bow but can it be used as backing on a red oak board bow that was tillered way too light, or should I try and slice some backing off a hard maple limb? Not exactly the easiest job I can think of. However if I screw a straight board to the limb and run it against the fence of my table saw I can probably get some 1/8 inch thick pieces to use as backing. Any thoughts?

[LESKEN2011]

I have used hard maple as a backing on several bows, but never soft maple. If you mean milling a seasoned hard maple limb, you probably could, but the grain would need to be as straight as you can get it. If the red oak is straight grained, you can get by without a backing if you are careful while tillering.

[LittleBen]

I think it'd be less work and nore experience to make a second red oak bow.

Also, red oak can be used as a backing, so you could go buy some of the 1/4" thick craft slats they sell at HD and Lowes and use that as a backing for your red oak bow.