Author Topic: My first bow project  (Read 1819 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline patrickegray

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
My first bow project
« on: August 08, 2016, 10:30:46 pm »
I am working on making a bow out of Black locust. I had to straighten one of the limbs a significant amount and came across this crack when I was unclamping it this evening. Am I fubar? If I narrow the limbs will it be ok?
« Last Edit: August 08, 2016, 10:37:41 pm by patrickegray »

Offline Knotty

  • Member
  • Posts: 504
  • Don't regret your past, learn from it.
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2016, 10:35:36 pm »
Welcome to PA first of all!
Well, it depends on the location of the crack,if it's more into the last 2/3's of the limb it'll most probably go away when tapering the width.

You can always superglue it after all!
~Isaia

Offline patrickegray

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2016, 10:40:51 pm »
Measuring from the center of the handle the limb is 36 inches. The crack is 11.5 inches from the center of the handle

Offline Knotty

  • Member
  • Posts: 504
  • Don't regret your past, learn from it.
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2016, 10:43:21 pm »
I think it wont be a problem for you, if the crack doesn't disappear after the final desired shape of the bow, fill the crack in with superglue and sawdust and just sand it smooth.

Good luck with your project and let us know how it turns out!
~Isaia

Offline Pat B

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 37,633
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2016, 11:04:13 pm »
Patrick, it was nice meeting you at the camp-o-rama 2 weekends ago.
  Is that crack on the belly side? If so just super glue it and keep on with tillering. You may eliminate most of it as you continue.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline patrickegray

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2016, 12:29:04 am »
Yes it is on the belly side.

Offline George Tsoukalas

  • Member
  • Posts: 9,425
    • Traditional and Primitive Archers
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2016, 08:01:41 am »
Patrick, that's a lot of wood to straighten.
It is probably a good idea to rough out the bow, floor tiller and then straighten if you have to.

That crack may come out as you work the stave. Be sure to draw knife from the side away from the opening.

More on my site.

http://traditionalarchery101.com/

Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline patrickegray

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2016, 02:46:25 pm »
So I am still working on getting the limb straightened out and the crack seems to be getting worse. Should I start steaming it instead of just heating it?

Offline Knotty

  • Member
  • Posts: 504
  • Don't regret your past, learn from it.
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2016, 06:00:00 pm »
That'll probably end up failing.. How's it going so far?
~Isaia

Offline patrickegray

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
Re: My first bow project
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2016, 06:24:29 pm »
kinda stopped on it because I wasn't sure if I should start using steam or if I should saturate the wood to get it straightened
« Last Edit: August 19, 2016, 06:41:56 pm by patrickegray »