loony rants

[loon]

About D97... I don't know why there isn't a cheaper competitor already. A lower density, lower strength HMPE (with the same strength/weight ratio - I don't know if it's really possible) could actually be better? It'd make a lighter string for the same thickness...? I think fast flight is overkill in terms of strength and one gets best performance with skinny strings, and since they're stretchier they're a bit less harmful on the bow? at least if the loops aren't too thin. But I think it'd be better to just have a thicker string with thinner serving..
But I'm sure the bowstring companies know a lot more about that than I do. 

At least D-97 seems like the cheapest HMPE bowstring material compared to all the competitors, and it's really good anyway.

[willie]

But I'm sure the bowstring companies know a lot more about that than I do

A fair assumption, but doesn't mean their product offerings are optimized for what you want to do.

a lower density product with the same strength/ weight ratio? wouldn't you just need more to do the same job?

Looking for a product with a higher strength/weight ratio? Hmmm

and since they're stretchier

not necessarily, and there are some vectrans that offer even less stretch.

[loon]

a lower density product with the same strength/ weight ratio? wouldn't you just need more to do the same job?

It'd give a thicker string for the same weight, which'd be nicer on the fingers. even though one could just do thick serving.. I guess thicker would look nicer. And such a product may end up being less expensive..

Maybe mixing plant fiber with d-97 would give a similar result

[bubby]

Why in the world would u mix plant fibre with d97, this makes no sense

[loon]

if it has lower density, and I recall someone mixing FF and linen in the flight bows forum???, but yeah it's totally pointless compared to just using thicker serving/padding loops

[loon]

I have this picture of a Miwok style sinew backed cedar bow that someone made... 39" long? 46#@24"!? 24"? That means I could get 32" out of a 52" long bow of that design, width, draw weight? It's got such a nice looking bend. Hopefully it's not too overstressed. Reverse image search didn't work. Guess I'll look for it in the forums later.





This bow has a pleasing width taper. It just still seems like it could still be unstable. I don't know why they went with narrower inner limbs now...

[bubby]

Loon if you are planning ona 32" draw on a 52" bow you better get started building bows, going to need a bunch under your belt to get to that level😉

[loon]

true

Just got a 100.5" long, 2 3/8" wide and just over 3/4" thick hard maple board with mediocre grain. I could either make two 50" modoc style (bendy pyramid) bows? or a 56" one. or just a 74" D bow. Or even longer. I dunno. I think I'd want 26" out of a short bow and 32" out of a longer one. 35-40# from a short, 40-60# out of a long bow. the grain is wavy so it could make a character bow...

so. 74"ntn, 1 3/8" max width, 60#@32" D bow vs
56"ntn, 40#@26", 2 3/8" max width, slight bendy handle pyramid

Finals week is next week. Then I graduate and will hopefully have some time to make bows..


edit: Well... a shorter bow would be more strained, so I think I should go with a long D bow, and get a better hickory board later for a paddle bow. Dunno if I could get 60#@32"...

56/26 ~= 2.154, but the bow'd be wider
76/32 ~= 2.375

Problem would be putting that thing on the car when I have to move away... it'd be easier with a 56" bow :p but I think it should be fine either way.

And I already broke a lamp with a 72" bow once... always seem to bang those things everywhere, which is not a problem with my short bows

But I still want one. Yeah. Fairly certain I'll just make a 76" long D bow.

May do the width taper tomorrow with a bandsaw.

[loon]

mostly concerned about it being quartersawn, and grain violations through the bow.. (ie not the sides but back to belly/belly to back)

[PEARL DRUMS]

Here are some fun numbers to compare and ponder.

1/4# of D97 has about 1675 feet on it - per BCY site - $23.00 1/8# avg
1/4# of B50 has about 1075 feet on it - per BCY site - $13.00 1/8# avg

D97 needs 6-10 strands - 8 is most common
B55 needs no less than 12 and most often 14-16 strands

Which costs more per string?

[bjrogg]

Very interesting numbers there Pearl.
Bjrogg

[Danzn Bar]

Here are some fun numbers to compare and ponder.

1/4# of D97 has about 1675 feet on it - per BCY site - $23.00 1/8# avg
1/4# of B50 has about 1075 feet on it - per BCY site - $13.00 1/8# avg

D97 needs 6-10 strands - 8 is most common
B55 needs no less than 12 and most often 14-16 strands

Which costs more per string?

Hummmmmmm.......let me guess.
DBar

[loon]

Here are some fun numbers to compare and ponder.

1/4# of D97 has about 1675 feet on it - per BCY site - $23.00 1/8# avg
1/4# of B50 has about 1075 feet on it - per BCY site - $13.00 1/8# avg

D97 needs 6-10 strands - 8 is most common
B55 needs no less than 12 and most often 14-16 strands

Which costs more per string?

Assuming 6ft long strands,

6*8/1675 * 23
6*12/1075 * 13

D97 string: 66 cents
B55 string: 88 cents

Nice.

I was complaining over nothing. there's nothing wrong with thin strings with thicker serving and padded loops. Guess the title is accurate 

I made poplar tepeliks and... got the maple board cut to length. Well, at least I decided what design I'm gonna do.

[loon]

With maple, is 3/4" thickness at the handle too thin for a 76"ntn bow, 1 3/8" wide at the handle, 60#@32"?

[loon]

Considering whether or not i should use the rather poor hemp twine for crafts for a bow backing. Maybe linen canvas would be better. In TBB(4 I think) I didn't see if they use titebond or just hide glue for the plant fiber backings... they make it sound like it works really awesome. almost like a primitive thing with fiberglass backing-like effects. i think i should just be careful not to overpower the maple belly