Author Topic: My first, close-to-finished Osage self bow: 55# @ 27"--any suggestions? (Read 3137 times)

CrazyHorse1969 · « **on:** September 07, 2014, 07:18:01 pm »

I picked up an Osage stave from Pearl Drums and have been working on it as much as possible. I had it pulling 60# @ 27" but have since taken it down to 55# @ 27" (and I am thinking that I will take it down even more, at least 50# and maybe 45#). I shot a few arrows at 60# and 55#, but it is way more bow than I need. I am really happy that I made this far. What do you guys think? Thanks!

Jim Davis · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2014, 07:53:47 pm »

Bending too much at red arrow, not enough between yellow arrows.

CrazyHorse1969 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2014, 07:58:34 pm »

Thanks! I figured the lower limbs/tips were maybe too thick. Back to tillering.

PEARL DRUMS · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2014, 07:09:11 am »

Narrow the last 12" a bunch more and that will get that part bending better. Jims drawing is spot on.

CrazyHorse1969 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2014, 09:59:30 am »

Will do. Thanks, Chris. At this point, the bow shoots straight but is way too heavy for what I want. I had planed on taking it down more. I left the lower limbs/tips a bit too heavy because I was worried about taking them down too far near the nocks. Again, back to tillering.

PEARL DRUMS · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2014, 11:42:17 am »

Don't pull on it at all until you get it moving more. Right now your beating the snot out of those fades and that makes for a dog of a bow if you let it get too far. Use a straight edge and match the gap.

CrazyHorse1969 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2014, 12:52:56 pm »

Thanks! I had no idea. What do you mean by "match the gap"?

PEARL DRUMS · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2014, 01:12:10 pm »

Run a straight edge (6-7" long range) on edge along the belly while the bow is drawn and held static at say 12-14". Look at the gap formed between that edge and the bows belly, look at the center of the straight edge. That gap needs to be the same from fade to say 6-8" short of the tips. Your measuring the bend gap is essence. Even gap equals perfect tiller. The largest gap you find is where it is bending the most, don't touch that area. Work on the slighter gaps you find. Mark them with a pencil as you run it along the belly.