Author Topic: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!  (Read 6555 times)

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Offline DQ

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Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« on: March 15, 2014, 08:35:36 pm »
Okay, okay...I guess it wasn't PEARLY'S fault. 

I had glued up a BBI bow on a Torges form.  Never worked with Ipe, so I asked Chris for help with tillering.  Went to his house last night.  We got it looking good, bending nicely, only needed to take off a little weight.  Then there was a loud CLICK!  With my eyes still squeezed tightly shut, I asked, "What was that?"  PEARLY opened his eyes and answered, "Your bamboo just lifted a bad splinter."  Awww, mannn!

The good news is, we had a ball shooting bows, making sawdust, checking out bow staves and talking bowhunting. 

The bad news is, my BBI bow is done for.  I know, I know, some of you guys will say it can be fixed, but I'm thinking I like hickory backings.


Offline Pat B

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2014, 08:39:11 pm »
One of the reasons I prefer hickory backing over boo. Sorry for your loss. Pearlie did it!  ;D
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline ohma2

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2014, 08:43:17 pm »
Sorry to hear that Darrell but you did get good help in Chris.

Offline Fred Arnold

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2014, 09:02:10 pm »
One of the reasons I prefer hickory backing over boo. Sorry for your loss. Pearlie did it!  ;D

I've never used hickory but had to replace a bamboo backing once. I'm destined to working with one piece of wood until circumstances dictate otherwise. ;D
I found many years ago that it is much easier and more rewarding working with those that don't know anything than those that know it all.

Offline Roy

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2014, 09:30:15 pm »
Yup boo does that at times. You could sand off the boo and glue it up again with a piece of hickory.

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2014, 09:51:49 pm »
That stinks.  I think somehow Pearly was responsible.  Maybe he pulled it back to far with the gunships why you weren't looking  ;D
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline Roy

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2014, 09:56:29 pm »
Your boo looks way too thick. I taper the boo from 1/8th at the riser to 1/16th at the tips.

Come on Clint, you know pearly girl couldn't pull back a real bow... :)

Offline IdahoMatt

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2014, 09:58:01 pm »
That's a bummer.  I hate braking bows.  It never get easier for me.  Even though I know brake it or not I will still be making another bow :)

Offline Dances with squirrels

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2014, 10:02:03 pm »
That sucks. It may not have anything to do with the splinter, but for future reference, your backing to core thickness ratio appears too great. It should be more like 1:3 or 1:4.

Did the splinter start at a knode, or a bruise or scar of some sort?
Straight wood may make a better bow, but crooked wood makes a better bowyer

Offline DQ

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2014, 10:04:07 pm »
Ya, Roy, I was thinking of trying that. I used Urac on it so I doubt if the glue will let loose any other way. The boo is tapered real well.  It looks thick because of the angle on the edge of it.

Outlaw - I didn't let Pearly and his gun ships get anywhere near it!  LOL  I was pulling it myself.  (But somehow, Pearly must have been responsible)

Squirrels - It looks like it strted at a brused or dinged spot on the boo.

Offline Bryce

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2014, 10:07:52 pm »
I've never had bamboo fail. I blame chris! >:D
Clatskanie, Oregon

Offline adb

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2014, 10:15:53 pm »
I hate bamboo.

Offline Roy

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #12 on: March 15, 2014, 10:21:46 pm »
Did Pearly serve you cheap ass beer?

Offline bubby

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #13 on: March 15, 2014, 10:30:50 pm »
that's why I love maple backers
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Roy

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Re: Don't build bows at PEARLY'S house!
« Reply #14 on: March 15, 2014, 10:56:30 pm »
Bubby, you use 1/4 sawn backers? And what type of Maple? I've had hickory backing blow up splinters too.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2014, 11:21:08 pm by Roy »