Ash for core lams

[bdsmith1]

Hey guys,

I usually make self and backed bows, but I'm branching out to try and make some glass bows.  I've made a few from ordered lams, but I've invested in a dedicated re-saw bandsaw and drum sander, so I was hoping to start making my own.  I was thinking about using ash for core lams because I have a ton of it.  Has anybody got a decent amount of experience using ash for core wood? I searched the forum but there's next to nothing on it which I'm afraid is a hint.  I'm building a hybrid 62" r/d longbow. 

The stack for that bow is .360ish for a 50# bow.  Minus the .08 for glass, would you split the rest evenly to .093 each at the but end with ash?

I'm in northeast Georgia, so hard maple is a no go. I can get local woods at the sawmill, so any tips on what species around here make good core lams or the future would be helpful.

Thanks,

Brian

[Crooked Stic]

Well I have never tried it. But I would think if you got some close grain edge grain it may work. I used to use red elm edge grain that worked well. Thinking the ash my be courser grain. But may work.

[bdsmith1]

So what I have is fairly open grain. Is that a deal breaker?

[Crooked Stic]

Got any pics. Edge close grain would be best.

[bdsmith1]

Sure thing. I'll head up to the shop in about an hour. I have the little ones until the wife gets back lol.

[Buemaker]

Some info on close grain wood vs open grain wood.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2023/05/31/open-grain-vs-closed-grain-wood?srsltid=AfmBOor5eg3gxl1KCKjeu0vyVi0zYOSoNfkdpNC398_v9RIL3GLLOA4_
Hickory, Ash and Elm are open grained woods. Elm is very good for bow laminates in a glass bow, so why not Ash. In the year rings if the early wood is narrow compared to the summer growth it is usually good quality. I have made glass bows with White Oak lams that worked just fine. I would think that the only drawback using Ash is that it looks kind of plain under clear glass. Ash makes a good self bow.

[Crooked Stic]

Maybe stain it with denatured alcohol with color or use a veneer.

[kennym]

Some of it I like under clear …

Seriously tho, there have been recurves, and longbows built with all eastern red cedar lams , and I'd sure trust ash much more...

[Crooked Stic]

This is Ash veneers with a little green stain

[dbeaver]

from wood database

 White ash
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .67
Janka Hardness: 1,320 lbf (5,870 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 15,000 lbf/in2 (103.5 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,740,000 lbf/in2 (12.00 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,410 lbf/in2 (51.1 MPa)

 Hard maple
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .56, .71
Janka Hardness: 1,450 lbf (6,450 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 15,800 lbf/in2(109.0 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,830,000 lbf/in2(12.62 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,830 lbf/in2 (54.0 MPa)

They dont seem terribly different by stats, But try it out I've seen some bowyers over in europe use ash as core lams for a good portion of their custom bows

[Tim Finley]

I made a number of bows with ash when I stopped using red elm . I would use the flat grain on the out side lambs and dye it brown  or walnut . Its a good lam material . Makes a great handle to if you impregnate it with a acrylic and brown dye .

[Crooked Stic]

Ash riser

[Jeff tech]

I've used Ash Laminations in a longbow,  4 laminates.  Works great. Steve Tureyhas used them in some of his bows.  JF

[bdsmith1]

Sorry about the late reply. So this is some ash and hickory I have. The hickory is a little punky and has some knots so I'm not sure it can be used. I also picked up some white oak today in 8/4 and pretty clear grain. 

[Stagmitis]

Jeff I correct- Steve turay has used them in a deep core hill and so have it- no worries/ glue it up!

[bdsmith1]

We'll I glued up a bow with a 5 lam stack at .340" thick. The ash lams .08" thick with one lam tapered at .001/1". Hopefully it will hold together, but I won't know until I get back from vacation and start working it lol. I just got it out of the form before I left.