Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hunter Van Winkle on September 25, 2012, 12:09:27 am

Title: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: Hunter Van Winkle on September 25, 2012, 12:09:27 am
I found 2 50" 4x1 boards at a local lumber yard, figured I could make some hickory shortbows. I have some rawhide and sinew I could possibly use for backing.  I have a heat gun I can use for tempering.

Whats the maximum weight/draw I can get from these bad boys? Any tips or suggestions?
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: k-hat on September 25, 2012, 11:22:45 am
if you do a bendy bow and sinew you could get bout as much weight as you want at 26" or so, i'd flip the tips to fend off stack.  Flip'm before you sinew.  Do a search, there's a recent sinewed hick round here somewhere :D
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: DarkSoul on September 25, 2012, 12:08:40 pm
I'd personally use some for backing strips. Cut thin, they'll be an excellent backing for other woods. Just put a seam in the stiff handle, and the seam won't matter. That way, you can easily back long bows (theoretically up to 100"...)
It's just because I don't like shortbows and prefer backed longbows myself :P Nothing wrong with sinew backed hickory shortbows though!
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: k-hat on September 25, 2012, 02:31:51 pm
also, you could take the 4x1, rip it in half, and splice at the handle for whatever length you want.  You can cut 10" off each end (leaving 80") and use one piece for a glue on riser and the other for overlays, etc.  Then you could make a nice stiff handled whatever-you-want bow :)  Boards are easy enough to splice.  I'd personally use a W splice, but a Z is effective and a touch easier.
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: BOWMAN53 on September 25, 2012, 04:25:27 pm
You can make a take down bow
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 25, 2012, 05:35:29 pm
Splice'em. Short bows stack. :) Jawge
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: Hunter Van Winkle on September 25, 2012, 05:55:02 pm
I'm a masochist, I want short bows :)

What thickness should I be looking at for a 70lb d bow?
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: blackhawk on September 25, 2012, 06:08:57 pm
I'm a masochist, I want short bows :)

What thickness should I be looking at for a 70lb d bow?

I don't know? Send me one and ill send you a 70lb bow back,and you can micrometer it to the thousandths of an inch so you know exactly how thick it should be  :laugh:
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: k-hat on September 25, 2012, 06:23:44 pm
I made a 48" red oak that pulled 60# at 25 or 26", it was about 1/2" outta the fades and prob 3/8 to 7/16 at midlimb.  Hick can handle it, but it won't be the most efficient design.
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: Hunter Van Winkle on September 25, 2012, 10:08:39 pm
I'm a masochist, I want short bows :)

What thickness should I be looking at for a 70lb d bow?

I don't know? Send me one and ill send you a 70lb bow back,and you can micrometer it to the thousandths of an inch so you know exactly how thick it should be  :laugh:

Ah a fellow masochist i see?

If you really want to, i'd be glad to send one your way!
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: Hunter Van Winkle on September 25, 2012, 10:09:23 pm
I made a 48" red oak that pulled 60# at 25 or 26", it was about 1/2" outta the fades and prob 3/8 to 7/16 at midlimb.  Hick can handle it, but it won't be the most efficient design.


What do you think about a pyramid bend in the handle shortbow, 2" @ widest point?
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: tattoo dave on September 25, 2012, 10:19:34 pm
Go for the shorty!!!  ;D Not sure about the thickness. You want a short bendy handle...Half eye is the man to ask about possible dimensions. I'm sure he'll chime in at some point.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: k-hat on September 26, 2012, 12:34:46 am
Shorties are fun, so if you haven't done one then yeah go for it.  JonW has a hickory bow on here he just posted that is 52" long, 2" wide like your describing.  Check it out and have fun!  http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34977.0.html
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: JonW on September 26, 2012, 08:04:00 am
Here's a thought. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,25867.msg347597.html#msg347597
Title: Re: Got some 50" hickory boards... Any tips on shortbows?
Post by: Hunter Van Winkle on September 26, 2012, 10:26:56 pm
Thanks guys.

Beautiful bow, Jon. What did you start with as a thickness on that bad boy?

Did you temper the belly?