Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: woodcraft on May 26, 2013, 09:36:04 pm

Title: Ash bow
Post by: woodcraft on May 26, 2013, 09:36:04 pm

Hey all, I'm new here.  I just thought I'd show you my work.  This is my second bow.  It's ash, 70" ntn, draws 50# at 28".  I know the tiller is off, hopefully I'll nail it on my next bow.  The arrows are just made from dowels from the hardware store, and I made them before I knew enough about spine and all that.  I made a spine tester now and they are all way different spines, so now I am trying to figure out the right length/point weight combination to get them to shoot straight from my bow.  I'm learning! 

Anyways, thanks for looking!  Feel free to shout out advice.  Thanks  :)

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Badly Bent on May 26, 2013, 09:51:16 pm

Welcome Woodcraft, good to have you joining in. That a fine looking bow and if only your second I think we'll be seeing some more
nice bows from you in the future. :) Your tiller on this one looks good to me, I've never made one that long but I believe you got it bending in the right places for a bow of that length. Hows it shoot?

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Ken S on May 26, 2013, 10:10:48 pm

The tiller looks great from were I'm sitting. :)

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: lostarrow on May 26, 2013, 10:17:05 pm

Looks good to me. Not sure  where you think you went wrong on the tiller ???  Do your arrows shoot well with the bow?

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: bow101 on May 26, 2013, 10:26:27 pm

Great little bow & arrows.  Notice how Ash, Hickory and Oak have similiar grain structure.. ???

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: woodcraft on May 26, 2013, 10:44:21 pm

Thanks guys!  It shoots silky smooth, it's a little slow probably due to the 4 inches of set (yikes) it has taken.  I think it had too high of moisture content when I was tillering.  As for the tiller, I guess I thought the lower limb bends in a different spot than the upper limb.  I don't know, maybe I've just been looking at it too much.  That's why I decided to just finish it and start another one :)

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: H Rhodes on May 26, 2013, 11:11:27 pm

Good looking bow!  Tiller looks great to me.  Yeah, you may be right about the moisture being a factor on that much set.  It is hard to wait for a stave to dry completely, isn't it?  I have started working them down to floor tiller and just throwing them under the bed for a month or so.  When they stop loosing weight, they are ready.  Welcome to the addiction.  I feel like we will be seeing lots of bows from you in the future.  :)

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Hrothgar on May 26, 2013, 11:48:08 pm

"and start another one", that's the only cure when you're not happy with what you got ;). Looks good from here, nice job with the arrow fletching too!

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Joec123able on May 26, 2013, 11:53:19 pm

Yea 4 inchs of set is excessive but the bow overall doesn't look to bad at all

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Pat B on May 27, 2013, 12:19:23 am

   The bend looks good but you could bring the bend in the top limb down closer to the handle.
Welcome to PA. Looks like you'll fit right in.  8) Now go start another one.

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Weylin on May 27, 2013, 12:40:19 am

Nice 2nd bow for sure! I think the bend looks pretty darn good. Given that it's 70" and only 50# it definitely sounds like moisture was the culprit for the set. it sure is hard to be patient when you're getting started. Just wait, soon you'll have such a giant collection of seasoned wood that you'll never have to worry about having wet staves again. The only thing you'll have to worry about is your wife getting tired of all the wood lying around.  >:D

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: DuBois on May 27, 2013, 02:10:48 am

Very nice work and welcome. I really like Ash. Hope to see more  ;)

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: TRACY on May 27, 2013, 08:06:04 am

I don't see the tiller concerns. Looks to be bending pretty good to me, especially if it were my second. Good job! Might let it dry more and steam/clamp to a caul with reflex to reduce set.

Tracy

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: lesken2011 on May 27, 2013, 08:54:48 am

Nice 2nd bow for sure. Welcome to PA!

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: SLIMBOB on May 27, 2013, 10:05:21 am

Tiller looks good to me.  Better than a lot of mine.  Reverse string it a few inches and temper.  Might get your set lessened up some.

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: woodcraft on May 30, 2013, 05:16:58 pm

Thanks again everyone.  If I were to try to remove the set with heat, should I use wet or dry heat?  Should I scrape off the finish first before heating?  I finished it with polyurethane.  All advice is greatly appreciated! 

@Weylin:  my wife is already fed up with my collections of interesting things, she sure isn't going to be too happy about bow staves.  But I'll collect them anyway >:D

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: autologus on May 30, 2013, 05:25:05 pm

Ash responds real well to belly tempering.  Use dry heat to temper, with the Ash it will greatly reduce the set it takes.  I have a 55" Ash bow that is 1 1/8" wide that I tempered and it only took 1/4" set from a 28" draw.

Grady

Title: Re: Ash bow
Post by: Pappy on May 31, 2013, 06:43:28 am

Welcome,looks good to me,love the way Ash looks finished up.The grain is always beautiful. :)
   Pappy