first red oak board bow help.

[si13ntb0w]

Hello guys, this is my first red oak board bow, its 70"s from nock nock. I want to get a 28-30 " draw. But it will only go to 24" thanks.

[ordcorpdw]

What poundage are you looking to get to?

[Eric Krewson]

Sounds like you have so much poundage you can't pull the bow past 24". If you want a 50# bow NEVER, NEVER pull your bow past 50# while you are making it, a scale is very important in bow making, you have to know where you are at as far as the poundage goes. You may hit 50# at 15" of draw, at this point scrape off some wood, lower the poundage and increase the draw to the next point you hit 50#.

No wood bow stops at 24".

[si13ntb0w]

I think it is around 65 right now. I gave the bow a little exercise today and I can get it to 28" now. Also, how much wood should be shaved off? A lot? Or just heavy sanding?

[Roy from Pa]

Read what Eric just said and you should use a scraper and sandpaper.

[LittleBen]

Refer yourself to the makny board bow build alongs. they are comprehensive and will touch on these basic details at great length.

[Roy from Pa]

This will lead you right through making a board bow.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000122

[si13ntb0w]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Like I said. New to trad hunting/shooting. Trying to learn the basics.  

[Eric Krewson]

Horsing your bow back to 28" to see if it will go will crush wood cells on the belly that would be left intact if you have gradually eased your poundage down as you increased your draw.

The end result of pulling your bow back to a full draw length before it is ready to be pulled to such a length will be lots of string follow and sluggish performance.

I made a sinew backed osage bow on my first attempt. I went from first time on the short string to full draw in less than a minute. Not even the sinew could keep this bow together after I abused it, KAPOW, I had a two piece bow where before I had a one piece bow.