I haven't been on here in quite some time. I've been spending a lot less time on the computer, and a lot more time in my workshop space making bows. I joined a non proft org with a space called "The Hack Factory " (no link as I don't remember the policy about linking outside of here) that has every kind of tool a boy could want.
I've made about 10 bows or so since I was active on here last year. Mostly sticking with red oak board bows, as that's what's cheaply available and what I've had succes with; I have started doing laminates, namely red oak backed with hickory with reflex and deflex glued in, with some success.
Here are some pics of my most recent bow, finished it up a few days ago.
It's a red oak board bow, 6' long, string knocks are about 1" in from each end. I think it's about 67" or so ntn when strung, not sure, haven't taken a tape to it with a string on it. Half inch wide and thick at the tips, half inch thick to the fades, handle narrows down to just about an inch wide. Started with a 1" by 2" by 6' piece of red oak.
I did some glue on recurve, similar to what 4est trekker does in his pyramid bow build along (one of my faves). It has tip overlays that I think are ipe, and the handle is layered red oak and I think mahogany. (we have a lot of scrap hardwood around the space, I grab what feels right and looks purty)
I've started putting notches in all my bows between the string nocks and the end of the tips, so that my bow stringer can simply be a rope with 2 loops on the ends, this has made my life a lot easier.
If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'll be posting pics of my laminated reflex deflex bows as soon as I can.
Also, I just want to say, even tho I haven't been participating on the forums here at all lately, all the good stuff I've learned came from here. Every time I start talking about bows at my shop space, I find myself quoting Jawge in particular several times over the conversation. This is my favorite addiction. Thanks, all.
below: here's a pic of the handle, very happy with how this came out.
below: a blurry side view pic of the tip overlay, showing the string nocks and the stringer notch
below: a slightly less blurry pic of the tip overlay, showing also the glued on recurve
below: the full draw pic. Behind me, you can see my shop space. Below my left arm are 3 other bows I was messing with that day. Behind my left elbow is my chaotic mess of bowyering work table and junk.
Last, a peak at some of my other bows. The top and bottom bows are a matching pair of red oak board bows I made as presents for my younger brothers, both 6' long, 50# draw at 28". 2nd and 3rd down are pyramid bows I made from 4est trekkers awesome build along. 4th down is my first reflex /deflex hickory/red oak bow. 6', 60#, lightest mass bow I've ever made, but it puts arrows downrange faster than anything else.
