osage orange

[roesso]

can i make a board bow out of osage orange 1x4 board i no its ideal wood just didnt no if i could use a 1x4

[sadiejane]

never made a bow outta an osage board, or any board for that matter.
but here is a link to a fella who made an edge grain osage bow.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/i...html#msg428376
it was a stave not a board but basics still apply.
i would reckon an osage board bow would be done like most board bows.
and i would imagine a backing of some sort would be in order
this fella has some great advise on making board bows and some easy to follow build alongs
http://poorfolkbows.com/index.html
good luck and keep us posted on how it goes

[_Plainsman]

if you back it with sinew or something. otherwise you'll have to chase the grain.

[spyder1958]

if you back it with sinew or something. otherwise you'll have to chase the grain.

Its a board, I don't think he will have a ring to chase.

roesso , you can back the board with a lot of different materials to keep the board from developing a splinter or breaking. Bamboo will make a very fast hard hitting bow as a backing. Osage and hickory backing would be great, just make sure you get a straight grain hickory backing.
Sadie already sent you to a good forum for some research.

[KS49]

If you use a boo backing aand the 1x4 is long enough, you should easily be able to make 2 bows from that board. A 50 lb boo-sage bow will only need to be about 1-3/8 to 1-1/2" wide at the fades. You will likely need to trap it a liitle bit and glue in some reflex. Reflex-deflex would be even nicer, but that does get into some advanced geometry/tillering. Have fun and good luck.

K

[deathmetalbowyer]

You could make a nasty ELB with an osage/boo 1x4. Just make sure its in a "D" style.

[Squatch]

I have made plenty of board bows and Osage works fine. No need to chase ring on a board bow, just make sure it's straight grained. Cut in two and make two bows. Cut a smaller piece and glue up your handle section.