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Author Topic: First attempt  (Read 4289 times)

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Offline jham

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First attempt
« on: May 31, 2011, 04:31:25 pm »
Just got back with a red oak board, wanting some recommendations for layout. Im planning on 68" ntn, 40-45lbs @ my draw of 29 inches. I have been reading on this site for a long time now, and know you guys are awesome at making bows. I have some maple pieces Im going to try to glue onto the handle area and use for nock overlays. Im hoping that this can turn out to be a nice bow, if not I will keep trying. Any recommendations on width at the fades? Thinking a pryamid style with a small arrow shelf built in. Thanks for any help
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Offline doulosparachristos

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2011, 04:43:25 pm »
hello, im up to the same thing right now as well, i found this VERY helpful ;) enjoy    http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=002064;p=1
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Offline jham

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2011, 05:09:05 pm »
I read that one last night, thanks  ;D I know that one was overbuilt, and was a heavier bow. I was wondering if I could go down to 2", but my tablesaw just threw the belt and pulley off trying to cut some of the maple.  ??? So until I can get Dad to help fix it I guess I will leave it 2.5".
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Offline Ifrit617

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2011, 06:15:08 pm »
Id go with 2" fades straight tapering to 3/8 inch nocks. 8" non bending  handle section...( 4 inch handle and 2 inch fades)... 66" long since it is your first attempt.  If you tiller carefully and slow this design will make a very fast hard-hitting bow... Good luck:)
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2011, 07:47:18 pm »
Quote from: Ifrit617 on May 31, 2011, 06:15:08 pm
Id go with 2" fades straight tapering to 3/8 inch nocks. 8" non bending  handle section...( 4 inch handle and 2 inch fades)... 66" long since it is your first attempt.  If you tiller carefully and slow this design will make a very fast hard-hitting bow... Good luck:)

That goes double for me......................except I would add 6" of length to it for your draw. I have built long and short oak board bows and they all stayed together fine, but the longer ones took on very little set and kept their initial "zing" a little more so than the shorter bows. Just my .0124735412 cents.
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Offline bubby

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2011, 08:09:53 pm »
this red oak bow is 2" at the fades down to 3/8" tips 66" @27" it's 40#, I riped the belly thickness on the tablesaw to the start of the fades and finished up on the bandsaw, I cut the limb @ 9/16" thick, but you can go a touch thicker to be safe,this board was quartersawn but with a good board you will be fine, hope this helps, Bub
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Offline jham

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2011, 11:40:39 pm »
so far I have the rough outline cut out, went with 68" ntn,2.5" at the fades and 1/2" at the tips, may take the tips down some later. My plan to use maple on the handle didnt work out, killed the table saw trying to cut a block out of a small piece of firewood lol. I already see a few things I'm not happy with, will do it a little differently on the next bow. Putting a bandsaw on my wishlist, still not sure how I'm going to thin down the limbs. May end up taking a d/a sander to them.
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Online Pappy

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2011, 09:24:23 am »
You can thin them with a rasp/draw knife and scraper,A band saw is great and I use one all the time but I have built many years back without one. Just a little slower and it's not a race. :) Don't let not having a band saw hold you back. :)
   Pappy
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Offline crooketarrow

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2011, 09:36:25 am »
   Your first bow they aways has a special place in your heart. GOOD LUCK
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Offline degoins

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2011, 12:26:49 pm »
Hey guys,
the only good boards (red oak) I've been able to find so far are only and 1 3/4" wide. How would you do the thickness and lay out on that? i'm hoping for around 50# - 60# at 25" .

Thanks
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Offline degoins

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2011, 02:16:36 pm »
Thanks ScottD,
it may be 1 1/2" now that i think about it.....and i did get it from Lowes. I'd like to make it without gluing on a riser too.....just like the looks of it better that way.
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Offline bubby

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2011, 03:45:01 pm »
hardwood suppliers are a better bet for good boards, and in my experiance they are generaly less spendy for higher quality wood, plus their are way more options, Bub
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline degoins

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2011, 04:48:54 pm »
Hey Bub,
there's a place here that I think I could get some good wood from, but Lowes is on my way home from work and I decided to stop by there and see what they had. If this turns out good, I'll go to the other place and see what they have.
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Offline jham

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2011, 01:03:27 am »
well day 2 I finished shaping around the handle and started thinning the limbs. Its starting to look like a bow even if its not bending yet
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Offline bubby

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Re: First attempt
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2011, 07:34:43 am »
jham, you can cut the bow out with a skillsaw if you are proficent with one, or find a buddy with a table saw or bandsaw, or ya can reduce it with a hatchet, surform or anything that will remove wood, Bub
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹
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