Homemade bow question....

[Allan.L]

Well, i have made about 5 bows in my dads wood working shop, and im about to make another.

i havent made a Maple bow, so i think im going to. My dad is going to be picking me up a nice air dried piece of Maple this week. first of all, im looking for a 45-50# draw weight, and a 28" pull. <--would this work?

could you maby give me an estimated overall length i should aim for?

thanks alot

Allan

[wabi]

Never tried maple, but I'd guess it would take a longer bow than osage to get that draw length. I'd try 66 - 70". A longer bow is a little smoother, anyway. I've made osage bows in the 60" range for a 28" draw, and they shoot and hold up OK, but they do tend to "stack" a little. I've got a 58" osage flatbow hanging beside me as I set here, but I made it for a heavy hunting bow and it really stacks! I can't shoot it anymore because of a shoulder problem, but it was around 70# @ 28" and that last couple inches of draw was a real test of strength & endurance. The sad part was that I made it right after I ordered an expensive custom bow, and when I got them both in my hands I could shoot the home-made osage bow the best. And I didn't have anything but my labor in the osage bow! I cut & seasoned the stave, and made it myself.