Winter project - Yew Recurve bow

[adb]

Thanks, Gordon... this is an awesome build along. There is much to be learned here.

[juniper junkie]

great lessons learned here, I am so glad you have my address to send the bow when it is completed

[Gordon]

Have you weighed out your processed sinew? I'd be interested to know how much you use in backing this bow.

Gus, after weighing the bow before and after I estimate that I applied about 3 1/2 oz (dry) of sinew.

[Gus]

Thank You Sir!

That is what I've been looking for.
Also of Great Help is seeing how far you break down your sinew.
It would seem that I've been taking my sinew down WAY to far, almost to the thickness of hair.
Which is very time consuming.

Regards,

-gus

[gstoneberg]

Gus, there's no rule about how fine you do it.  I've seen bows where the sinew was taken very fine like you describe and the end result looked like opaque glass.  It was gorgeous but for me, just too much work.  You have to strike a balance between getting the look you want and how much effort in stripping you're willing to do.  When I knew I was covering with snakeskin I've done some really unattractive sinew jobs.   

George

[Gordon]

Gus, I will be covering the limbs with snakeskin so I'm not concerned about about getting the surface absolutely smooth.

[gstoneberg]

Oops, should'a waited another minute and you would have had it covered Gordon.

George

[Gordon]

NP, you got it just right George 

[Almostpighunter]

Man o man, just watching you shape the handle/riser was a thing of beauty. Great build along!

[Keenan]

Looking picture perfect Gordon. You are a perfectionist in all you do. Well done my friend

[Prarie Bowyer]

http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/scraper.html

Thinking of making this.  Wonder how it will compare?

[medicinewheel]

Gordon, I have not made a bow in a long time, but your build-along really makes me want to start over again!
Great work, great build-along; you really share a lot of your distinct knowledge, thanks for that!
Looking foreward to see the finished bow!!!

[Gordon]

Well, it’s been a week and the sinew is looking real good and I couldn’t resist doing something on the bow.  The bow has pulled nicely into reflex and I’m glad I didn’t go too crazy when I put in the recurves. The sinew is nice and hard so I’m going prepare the surface for the snake skins.

First I knock down any ridges on the surface with a freshly sharpened scraper. The sinew is hard and comes off the blade in nice and thin curls.



After using the scraper I use a sharp pocket knife and create a nice bevel on the edges.



Then I sand the surface of sinew smooth with 100-grit sandpaper.

[Gordon]

At this point the ridges are gone but there are lots of little sinew tags sticking out. I take care of that by brushing the surface with warm glue. I let the glue setup for a few minutes and then rub it down with a rag that was wetted with warm water. When I am done, the surface is nice and smooth and ready for the snake skins.





Next up – tillering.

[Prarie Bowyer]

[/quote]


What is that radius?