Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Marc St Louis on September 18, 2010, 05:56:25 pm

Title: RD Elm bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on September 18, 2010, 05:56:25 pm

This is an RD bow I made for a young fella who wants to go Deer hunting.  The bow is Elm, 60" long with limbs 1 5/8" wide tapering to 3/8" nocks and pulls 55# @ 27".  I heat-treated a bit over 4" of reflex into this bow and it kept just over 2", this is after shooting it for awhile then letting it sit for an hour.  Even after shooting it a few times it still has over 1" of reflex after unbracing so it has good string tension and the arrows come out at an impressive speed.  The Elm that I used for this bow has fairly thick rings and the wood is moderately dense but it also has very good elasticity.  As you can see this bow is for a left handed person so testing it was rather an interesting experience.  When I was young I swung a bat left handed and also used a hockey stick left handed but always shot a bow right handed.  I must say that I think I will explore this left hand shooting a bit more in the future.  In any case here's a few pictures.

(https://i.imgur.com/hA9tc8v.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ikyNbtz.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/V5qAazF.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/o7NMtq9.jpg)

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: n2huntn on September 18, 2010, 06:05:27 pm

Like it. I'm right handed left eye dominant and started shooting lefty 2 years ago. Supridingly easy to do.
N2

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: cracker on September 18, 2010, 06:27:37 pm

Great looking bow and just in time I'm working on an elm now can you throw a few tips out there for placing the arrow shelf.Thanks Ron

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: NTD on September 18, 2010, 06:35:19 pm

Great bow Marc, after attempting this design I can now truly appreciate the skill that goes into them.(mine failed)

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on September 18, 2010, 08:26:41 pm

Thanks guys

Not sure what you mean Ron

Sorry to hear that Nate.  What happened to it?

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: NTD on September 18, 2010, 08:55:57 pm

While tillering I had it drawing to about the 15" mark and I started hearing that distinctive tick sound.  I can't find anywhere that looks like it's letting go but it sure is making that stomach turning sound.  Sometime this weekend I will pull it until it goes and diagnose from there.  I wasn't entirely happy with my glue line but I don't think it was bad enough to fail.  Then again, these are highly stressed designs...

Anyway, sorry to hijack the focus away from your great bow.  Hope the young man makes some meat with it.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: PeteC on September 18, 2010, 10:37:51 pm

Another nice one Marc.Looks like a real screamer. God Bless

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: cracker on September 18, 2010, 11:57:45 pm

I'm going with a 4.5 inch handle as I have very wide hands. The question is should the arrow shelf be just above the knuckle as close as possible or should it be raised a bit more and how deep does it need to be cut towards the center of the bow? I have not done any wood removal around the handle it is still two inches wide and about that thick.Thanks Ron

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: adb on September 19, 2010, 01:47:01 am

Impressive work, Marc, as usual. Thanks for sharing!

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Thwackaddict on September 19, 2010, 01:51:06 am

I need to try another one of these.Very nice and may he make meat!

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: medicinewheel on September 19, 2010, 03:36:35 am

Mark, you really have a unique style to your bows, that's great, like that!

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on September 19, 2010, 09:14:14 am

Thanks guys

Nate. If that happens to me I put it on a T stick at the length I heard the sound, or a bit less, and then examine it.

Ron. I make the leather shelves on my bows so that the arrow is sitting at knuckle height, it's like shooting off the knuckle.  The feathers on this bow were actually brushing my fingers as I shot

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Lombard on September 19, 2010, 09:55:14 am

Hope I make them that nice one day.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Timo on September 19, 2010, 09:58:56 am

Marc, ever impressed with your work. I have never attempted a bow of that design with your extras,May have to give it a try this winter.

Nice job. ;)

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: swamp yeti on September 19, 2010, 10:52:44 am

Man that is a nice one.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Barrage on September 19, 2010, 10:54:02 am

Another great one Mark.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: bowmo on September 19, 2010, 03:30:42 pm

As always sweet lookin bow Marc. Love that wiggle in the lower limb.

dan

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on September 19, 2010, 03:33:22 pm

Thanks guys

Well the young man picked his bow up.  He shot it a few times while he was here and was shooting it quite well.  The arrows he was using were about 500 grains and they were coming out of the bow very fast.  Any Deer that parks itself in front of him will be a dead Deer

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Hrothgar on September 19, 2010, 07:02:04 pm

Very nice bow.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Pappy on September 20, 2010, 06:43:52 am

Beautiful Bow Marc,that's got to be a sweet shooter. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Josh on September 20, 2010, 11:08:54 am

Very Nice bow, Marc.  I really want to try one of your designs one day.  They just scream power and efficiency.   :) :)   Got it bookmarked for Sept Self BOM too if that's cool with you.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on October 05, 2010, 04:26:53 pm

I don't know how this one got by me. Sweet bow Marc, looks like you put the same grip on it as you did the black locust you made for me. It fits like a glove ;D

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Shooter on October 05, 2010, 04:55:56 pm

NIce bow, Marc. I like the asymetry and curvy profile. Much respect to you guys who can see a bow in wood I'd use in my firepit.

I always pay special attention when you post pics of your longbows. I've learned heaps just looking at them. Thanks for sharing your work.

Bruce

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: dragonman on October 05, 2010, 05:43:15 pm

Nice bow, I like the profile. Yes it is a good idea to train the left hand side, its not good for the body to work muscle groups out of balance.

Title: Re: RD Elm bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on October 05, 2010, 07:33:07 pm

Thanks guys.

Glad to be of any help in any way I can Bruce.

I have been shooting lefty and almost made this year's hunting bow a left hander but I chickened out.  It feels awkward and I get a terrible string slap which I don't get right handed.  I can hit the target reasonably well though.  Certainly not done with this though