Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Aosda on March 30, 2009, 08:02:44 pm

Title: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 30, 2009, 08:02:44 pm

I just finished my first attempt at a board bow.  And thanks to all the posts here and other forums, it turned out a success.  I rushed into my materials and bought Poplar and Red Oak from Home Depot  :-[ .  I know not good.  But from doing some homework, I was able to get pieces with straight grain.  Getting what wood I did forced to take my time though.  I think if I started with a piece of wood that I was almost 100% sure would turn out, that I would've rushed and failed horribly.  So thanks to all you bowyers, who time after time, answer questions from people like me.  Sharing your knowledge and wisdom makes it possible for newbies like myself.  Now, on to the bow.  It's a Poplar backed Red Oak board bow, with Maple and Red Oak riser/handle.  72" TtT, 70"NtN and pulls 50# @ 28".  The bow has a minor hinge in the lower limb(wood deflect I think).  The first pic is right after glue up with about 2" deflex (I think...tips go forward).  The second is at a low brace, and the last ones are the finish after putting about 45 arrows through it.

Any ideas for #2 ?  I'm thinking Cherry would look nice, maybe with Hickory or Maple(is this good) backing.

Tavis

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Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: John B. on March 30, 2009, 08:14:33 pm

You know darn well someone will ask for a full draw picture.  C'mon, ante up!   :D

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 30, 2009, 08:18:52 pm

When my uncle gives me back my camera I will.   Had to take those with my laptop.  He's had it the whole time I was building  >:( . I wanted more pictures.

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 30, 2009, 08:24:53 pm

Full Draw

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Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Badger on March 30, 2009, 08:27:08 pm

Looks not too bad for a first bow, but I am curious as to why you think a wood defect gave you the slight hinge? I am interested how that bow shoots when done, that wood combo might be pretty fast if it doesn't break. Steve

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 30, 2009, 08:35:14 pm

I'm thinking wood defect, because the hinge is right where the grain runs off.  And yes, due to inexperianced tillering.

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Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Justin Snyder on March 30, 2009, 08:39:10 pm

I make bows with that kind of run off all the time. Backed bows like that don't really mind run off. 

Good job for your first bow.  ;) Not bad for a lefty.  ;D Just kidding..... Justin

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 30, 2009, 08:54:56 pm

Actually I'm a Righty.  The laptop mirrored the pictures.  Bow is being held in my left hand.

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: cracker on March 30, 2009, 09:04:54 pm

Nothing wrong with that it looks better than my first bow.Ron

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 31, 2009, 12:00:29 am

Congratulations on your bow! Jawge

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Shooter_G22 on March 31, 2009, 12:07:38 am

Nice,

   congradts on your bow... and welcom to the addiction.. >:D   

might as well buy a whole ruff sawn board and have it milled to get you more board staves at a cheaper rate...   cuz i gauranty your gonna be making more than one more.. ;)

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 31, 2009, 12:12:43 am

Already thinking of #2.  I'm thinking about maybe a Cherry with Maple backing?

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: medicinewheel on March 31, 2009, 02:52:46 am

Quote from: Aosda on March 31, 2009, 12:12:43 am

Already thinking of #2.  I'm thinking about maybe a Cherry with Maple backing?

I recommend Black Walnut with Maple backing! - I just recently made two of that combo, a really fancy holmegaard and an even fancier pyramid; both shoot GREAT regarding their low draw weight, because BW is really sringy and light weight. BUT get perrrrfect pieces of BW, no twigs or waves in grain, vertical grain orientation I prefer, then you'll be fine. Black Walnut is most beautiful, too.

Doesn't show very well in your pictures, but I guess your upper limb needs more bend!

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 31, 2009, 03:00:01 am

Medicinewheel,

Yeah my upper limb could bend a little more.  I'm actually 5# over my target weight, but I'm pulling shy of 28" @ 2.5# per inch(roughly).  I figured I would call it good because the top limb bends real even throughout.  Also I already have a Hickory backed Black Walnut that I purchased, want to try for wood variety in the collection, now that I'm hooked.

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Pappy on March 31, 2009, 05:56:15 am

Always one more,nice job on your first,I'm with Cracker wished my first turned out that good. :)
Congrats. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: The Burnt Hill Archer on March 31, 2009, 08:24:07 am

lookin good. your right, the tiller is off a little, but that will come with the shavings! great job for your first one though, from what i can see, the glue lines look pretty good, and i like the handle too. ya ought to try a hickory backed red oak, or just an air backed red oak for the next one, just my 2 cents  ;D

Phil

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: GregB on March 31, 2009, 08:41:19 am

Nice bow for your first...time for another one! ;)

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: TRACY on March 31, 2009, 09:10:52 am

Congratulations on your first ! It wasn't until my fourth that I got a shooter that held up. As you can tell by the comments, your options are unlimited as to what to build next :D

Tracy

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 31, 2009, 10:09:47 am

Nice first bow! You can cut an inch off the bottom limb and stiffen it enough to work the hinge out with out dropping poundage too much. Make your self a tillering gizmo to use on your next one, no more hinges.

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047

Title: Re: First Wood Bow.....Suprisingly a success!!
Post by: Aosda on March 31, 2009, 05:07:37 pm

Eric,

I had found your thread while getting the idea to build a bow, and used a piece of red oak as the tool.  That's why the top limb came out nice.  I think I just hit a weak spot in the board and when I removed where the pencil was on the bottom limb, the hinge started.  I stayed away from it the rest of the tillering.  But, yeah great post on that tool, mine's not as elaborate as yours though.  Just used a cut off scrap from the board, made sure it was square, and put a hole in it.  Thanks for the knowledge.