Author Topic: first time bow attempt  (Read 1418 times)

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Offline Robnhood

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first time bow attempt
« on: September 09, 2015, 02:36:48 pm »
Hello I was recently given an white ash stave as a gift. I had watched my father build osage bows years ago and was wondering if anyone could give me some starting dimensions for a white ash flat bow design? The stave is 74 inches long. It looks to be wide enough for 2 bows. If I split it down middle each stave would be 3 1/2 inches wide. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rob

Offline wizardgoat

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2015, 02:57:10 pm »
What's your draw length and weight, that can change the design recommendations big time.
Either way, ash likes to be wide and/or long

Offline Robnhood

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2015, 09:04:29 pm »
My draw length is 27 inches. I would like the bow to pull around 50 lbs. give or take a few pounds at this draw length.  I was thinking a bow about 64 inches in length. Thanks for your time.
Rob

Offline bowandarrow473

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2015, 09:15:45 pm »
Try a simple AFL flatbow that is 1 5/8 at the fades out to 10 inches before the tips and then tapers to 1/2 in or 3/8 inch tips. 4- 4.5 in handle and 1.5 or 2 in fades. Thickness tapering from .75 in at the handle to 5/8 in at the tips. Or mabye an Eastern Woodland style bow that is 1 3/8 in wide until 8 inches from the tips tapering to 1/2 in tips, same thickness taper as before plus mabye a 1/16 of an inch or so, let the handle area be a little thicker so you can tiller it last.
Whatever you are, be a good one.

Offline Selfbowman

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2015, 09:27:08 pm »
I don't know Robin Hood. The Boyer's bible probably has that info. Or go with what's mentioned above. I am thinking wider at fade but I could be wrong. Defiantly longer than 64 in my oppinion. Closer to 70". Arvin
« Last Edit: September 09, 2015, 09:33:18 pm by Selfbowman »
Well I'll say!!  Osage is king!!

Offline Hrothgar

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2015, 10:44:58 pm »
If it were my first attempt I would probably over build it a little 68-70" long and 2" at the fades. Others will chime in, and check your books.
" To be, or not to be"...decisions, decisions, decisions.

Offline LittleBen

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2015, 10:42:12 am »
If it were my first attempt I would probably over build it a little 68-70" long and 2" at the fades. Others will chime in, and check your books.

This would be a wise decision to overbuild since this will be your first attempt at building a bow.

Offline Pat B

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2015, 10:50:20 am »
I agree. Start out long and learn proper tillering. Once you get that you can build whatever style you want.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Robnhood

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Re: first time bow attempt
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2015, 04:49:24 pm »
Thank You for your advice. I will over build to learn the fundamentals of building bows.
Rob