1st bow--Near disaster--I thought that we need to see the bad and ugly too!

[snedeker]

thanks for posting that.  There used to be a lot more early attempts on here, with varying levels of tillering success, including a wild one or two of mine from back around 5 years ago.  Its good to see.  I recently filed the nock grooves the wrong way on a bow too by the way.

Dave

[M-P]

Hi Chuck,  Well you sure got a lot of interest with this post!.  I can't speak for everybody, but I know I've made some real duds.  That was especially true at first.  I can't rember how many of my early bows ended up way too weak because I was in too big a hurry.  For me, using power tools (except the band saw) pretty much just means thast I make mistakes faster. Ron

[medicinewheel]

.....  For me, using power tools (except the band saw) pretty much just means thast I make mistakes faster. Ron

yes exactly; my second bow almost endet up like this-one for the exact same reasons - well, almost means similar tillerprofile, not as bad a stringfollow, but the bow broke pretty soon in the handle ... 
mistakes certainly can be made fast enough with a tiny little scraper!!! 
have fun with the next-one!
frank

[Badger]

I used to post my "duds" on here in hopes of helping someone else by going over the mistakes or failed strategy. Inevitably a number of viewers would fail to read the post and just look at the picture with all kinds of good advice. I stopped posting them LOL. Steve

[Chuck Jones]

I appreciate the responses and especially the ones that have told me about the first steps to take in tillering.  It has been helpful.  It is encouraging to know that I am not the only one that had a bad expierence in bow making.  I didnt feel that it would turn out well from the initial mistake of gringing into the belly.  I am kind of stick to it  guy and I wanted to finish the process if for nothing else just to say it was completed.  Along the way I made my first rawhide from last years whitetail,  I was able to wrap the handle area with it, as well as, backing the bow, I fashioned my first attempt making tip overlays out of antler, and carved my first arrow rest out of a piece of antler.  I, also, made a flemish string jig and fashioned my first flemish string.  All in all it has been a wonderful expierence and I loved the challenge.  Well, I was hoping to be able to use the bow in this hunting season but that dont look good.  I received a commercial longbow last Christmas (PSE) and really need to get busy to find a good arrow for it.  Lots to do as I have another bow profiled now...chuck

[Loogster]

Dont feel bad
my first bow snapped in my face 
Figured out you need to work the bow in a bit