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[---GUTSHOT--->]

Sidmand nice start to a good looking stave. I like the character.

[dylanholderman]

thanks guys 

the wood is bush honeysuckle (the invasive stuff)

i forgot to say the yew wood for the tips is from my first trade bow that broke.
and i ended up taking the polly finish off and doing a beeswax/walnut oil finish instead.

fred i'm going to hang onto it a bit longer, i'm going to bring it with me to the classic.

[Loope]

That is nice Dylan!  I have been looking on our farm for some bush honeysuckle large enough to cut, so far only found arrow material.

I've got the dogwood straightened, the string tracks exactly down the center of the handle now.  I had shaved the handle down with a coarse rasp to get through some rough looking wood.  I went out to work on it tonight and had to flatten it to glue on another board.  After lots of time with rasps, files, block sanding by hand, and checking with a straightedge, I think I finally got it flat.  I cut a cherry board and sanded it flat, then glued on with tight bond 3.  Now waiting for glue to cure.

[ajooter]

I hope you have enough meat under that handle to keep it from popping when you start tillering.  A good rule of thumb is an extra 1/4" of thickness at the handle area fade transition.  It's kind of hard to see so I may be putting the cart before the horse.

[Fred Arnold]

jooter, I often do just that when I want that handle bending at full draw. Wish the hell I could figure out the tip end. 

[Drewster]

Great to see so much progress being made.  I got my Plan B heat treated and ready for low brace.  Curious to see how she's going to look. 



How many of you guys are headed to the TN Classic next week.  Hope to meet some of you out there.  It'll be my first trip to the Classic and I'm REALLY looking forward to it.

[ajooter]

That looks great Drew...your bench is a mess though!!  That bottle of tight bond just sitting out! 

Can't wait to see her start to bend.

Fred there are so many things I still haven't figured out and probably never will 

[Drewster]

Well ajooter, I thought I'd cleaned up for the pic.......forgot the darn broom too ;-)

[Loope]

Thanks ajooter, I knew leave the handle thicker, but had not heard how much thicker.  I think/hope I am good.  I still need to thin the limbs a little.  I took the clamps off and trimmed the cherry to fit and did an initial rough shaping with a rasp.  Attached are some pics of where I am at the moment.

I will be at the classic next week as well, looking forward to meeting you guys.

Michael

[jeffp51]

tillering this stick has been pretty non eventful.  this is 26" and 60# ---the heaviest I have made a bow.  My goal is 60# @ 29" so that I am confident it is safe out to 28.  Set still seems well within acceptable.  I see a couple of very minor spots to work on in the last three inches, but I am curious if anyone else sees the same thing.  Tell me how you feel, and remember this is for posterity, so be honest.

[Fred Arnold]

Michael, take that with you to the Classic, you can't go wrong with the help you'll get.

I've never been there but if I could afford the trip I'd be there 3 weeks early only hoping they could put up with me.

You have to  understand that I'm almost as old as Pappy but don't get around near as much as he does.;

[Drewster]

Michael, looks a wee bit stiff coming out of the fade on the right limb.  Other than that, she looks sweet to me.  Yeah, take her to the Classic.

[---GUTSHOT--->]

The right fade is definitely stiffer than the left. Hit that with a few scrapes and you will have it before you know it.

[ajooter]

Michael, looks a wee bit stiff coming out of the fade on the right limb.  Other than that, she looks sweet to me.  Yeah, take her to the Classic.

+1

[ajooter]

I think you will be all right with that handle loope.  make sure you don't have sharp angles on your fades.  you really want to taper them on a nice curve up into the handle.  not only is that visually pleasing but safer in design.  I rarely glue a one piece handle on anymore.  I like to start with a thinner lamination first then built up from there.

that color combinations looks great!