Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hoarfrost on August 12, 2013, 12:10:01 am
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I finished my first bow. I've always wanted an English Longbow and although on the light side I am very happy with it. It took me about 2 weeks on afternoons after work. I used the instructions in "The Backyard Bowyer" by Nicholas Tomihama, which is a great book. I need some arrows splined correctly for it, (have some heavy aluminum ones now).
I had a blast roving around today, it should make a great stump shooting and small game bow. I'm just learning how to shoot too, so I'm really happy to have a self-made bow to practice with.
"Goshawk"
Made from a Red oak 1x2 with Black walnut nock points.
30# at 30"
76" tall
B50 bowstring by me (another first)
(http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p744/harfrost/IMG_2279_zps18d3ef4d.jpg)
(http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p744/harfrost/IMG_2281_zpsdc517727.jpg)
Close up of a nock point:
(http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p744/harfrost/IMG_2274_zps0106e065.jpg)
Full draw:
(http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p744/harfrost/IMG_2284_zps64e674a5.jpg)
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Good job, tiller looks spot on...
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Good job, tiller looks spot on...
Thanks, I spent a lot of time tillering and exercising the limbs. I think I took off more wood than I needed for a heavier draw, but am very happy with it and learned a lot for the next one!
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Awesome for a first, if you wanted some more weight you could cut off a few inches
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Good for you, that's a nice bow.
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I wish my first bow had a tiller that looked like that. Great job!
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I agree, great job on the tiller! you oughta be proud of yourself. nailing the tiller is SO much more important than hitting your weight on your first bow (or any bow for that matter). No disrespect to Newindian but I wouldn't mess with that bow at all. Shoot the hell out of it, enjoy it and get started on your next bow.
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Congrats on ur first shooter.... 8)
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Nothing like your first,nice job. :)
Pappy
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Well done. It really feels great to make your own bow!
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What an elegant looking bow. I'd be happy if that were my 100th bow, let alone first!
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Nicely done! Especially for your first! Josh
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Very nice 1st bow, for sure!!
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Seriously, that's textbook tiller, great job! Wish my first bows could have turned out like that. Did you leave the board at full width, or did you narrow it a little?
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Seriously, that's textbook tiller, great job! Wish my first bows could have turned out like that. Did you leave the board at full width, or did you narrow it a little?
I did narrow it a little at the handle and then down to 1/2" at the tips. I don't remember the exact dimensions but copied the instructions in Nicholas' book and it worked well. I used a hand-plane to do most of my thinning which I think helped great smooth tapers.
Thank you for the compliments everyone!
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That tiller looks good. My first bow wasn't that good. My second would rival that though ;) for a 30" draw in a regular american flat bow design I would have that bow between 72"-64" around there. The tips could have been thinner but with them being the way they are I would put on a fast flight string. With it being an English longbow and 30# at 30" I would cut it down 2" for every 5# you want it higher. So if I was doing a 45# bow I would cut that 3" off each end. I wouldn't make it any shorter than 72" unless you are not drawing it the full 30" it could get 2" shorter for each inch shorter draw length. Nice looking bow though!
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Excellent job on your first bow. I wouldn't do anything to it but shoot it.