ELB takedown options

[stuckinthemud]

Hi All
I want to make a two-part takedown longbow.  I do not want to use a commercial sleeve or fibreglass, has  anyone used anything else, like antler or brass tubing for the connecting system?

[sieddy]

Antler now theres an idea! 
Have you seen fiddler49's rawhide takedown sleeve? Check it out- it's quality. It's on Paleoplanet as "rawhide scarf tube take down. 

[bubby]

Simpson just used some stainless tubing on his trade bow

[stuckinthemud]

Didn't twig that Simpson's trade bow was stainless; hadn't seen the rawhide sleeve but you're right that is quality, thanks guys.

[Mac43560]

I like the antler idea.  We have baby deer here so it would have to be some hairbrained splice job for me.  What about making the sleeve out of horn?

[PatM]

Antler is too brittle and horn is generally too flexible and has low hoop strength.

[stuckinthemud]

Hi Pat, shame antler is too brittle as I have a red-deer antler that looks perfect. I have read up about antler's superior strength, the various papers I found all stating that antler is very resistant to fracturing through impact and bending - strong in compression and tension - but I have found various turners and knife makers who say it is brittle and prone to fracturing, so could I ask if your comment is based on personal experience or received wisdom?

[Mac43560]

I want to try the rawhide but I'll probably use silk or dacron to wrap it.

[stuckinthemud]

I've just bought some raw-hide need to get some silk/dacron/linen next, oh, I need to build a bow too.........

[PatM]

A materials ability to withstand tension and compression is different from its ability to function as a hollow sleeve with an inserted portion exerting leverage on it.

[stuckinthemud]

So as the antler tube is very stiff and resists the bending force, do the limbs exert a shear/tear stress on the tube and rip it apart where rawhide or metal would flex and absorb the shear stress?  If so, would binding the ends of the antler tube, say with silver wire, allow it to resist this force?

[half eye]

Hey stuck,
      Dont know if it qualifies but I have seen photos of old English bows with a hinge on the back of the bow and both halves butt onto @ other's ends when "closed". Of course that would not be a take apart but it would fold in half.
rich

[stuckinthemud]

OOOOHHHhhhh that sounds like good fun; wonder where you would get a hinge like that from!?

[Mac43560]

I think this might be the one time where the thick dog chew toy rawhide works better.

[stuckinthemud]

Hi Mac I searched for bow hinges and the like, and I think you're right; rawhide sleeve is definitely looking like the best bet, it's just that a long splice in an antler sleeve would look soooo nice