Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: finefirewood on October 18, 2013, 12:28:28 pm

Title: First Bow!!
Post by: finefirewood on October 18, 2013, 12:28:28 pm

Here is my first attempt at making a bow. Used red oak board backed with camo burlap. I'm happy with the look and feel, but it is a bit softer than I'd hoped. Pulls about 25# at 28" and is quite accurate. I'm calling it a success because 1) it didn't break! 2) it shoots arrows where I want out to 20 yards, and 3) it didn't break!

I've lurked in here for quite a while and didn't sign up until I had something to show. No where close to what others have made, but this won't be the last!

My son is also currently making his first bow (same design, same board), but his school work comes first, so he hasn't finished yet.

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Ed Brooks on October 18, 2013, 12:32:36 pm

Nice bow. Welcome to the addiction. Ed

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Onebowonder on October 18, 2013, 12:32:50 pm

Ya gotta give us a FD pic FFW!!!   :D ;D :) ;) :laugh:

Congratz on gettin a shooter btw...

OneBow

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: skarhand on October 18, 2013, 12:39:09 pm

Great job!! Love the grain pattern in the handle. Not that I am an expert by any means, but I am on my 4th bow and each time I have done another one, I try to use a new technique or "upgrade" my bow from the last.

Keep up the good work.

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: finefirewood on October 18, 2013, 12:41:50 pm

No FD pics (yet)! It's hard to take the cell phone pic and draw at the same time! I'm just not that coordinated.

I teach a scout-like class at my church to middle/high school boys, and they loved shooting it too. I was nervous about letting some of them try it out, but it held up and they did pretty good shooting without sights or wheels. I always get a great satisfaction showing youngsters things that don't involve a glowing screen, especially when they end up really enjoying it. I had to pry the bow from one kid! Makes me proud!

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Parnell on October 18, 2013, 12:43:19 pm

Way to go!  Great work!  Welcome to the gang!

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: RBLusthaus on October 18, 2013, 01:02:29 pm

Nicely done.  Congrats!!!!!  Way better than my first bow, that is for sure. 
Russ

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: half eye on October 18, 2013, 01:06:29 pm

very nicely done, way better than my first as well. Good on ya for getting the attention of the youngsters as well. Allways keep this bow no matter what else, only one "first".
rich

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Knapper on October 18, 2013, 01:12:15 pm

Welcome FFW. hope to see more. Working in Royal Rangers is what got me started many years ago as well. keep em coming.
knapper

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: dbb on October 18, 2013, 01:41:59 pm

Pretty good first one!
Im sure there will be more to come,this addictive  ;)

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: JonW on October 18, 2013, 01:49:23 pm

Nice Bow! Thank you for taking the time to do something for kids. I appreciate that.

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: BOWMAN53 on October 18, 2013, 03:38:25 pm

i didnt get a bow like that till my third try lol. good job man

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Del the cat on October 18, 2013, 04:00:21 pm

Well done.  :)
Most first bows come in under weight, don't worry. If you made a shooter, you've done well.
Good to have you on board.
Del

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: mullet on October 18, 2013, 04:13:09 pm

If it shoots and didn't break, that's a good bow in my book, Congratulations! Let's see it in BOM.

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: dwardo on October 18, 2013, 04:28:53 pm

Great stuff and looks like a good bow :)

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Arrowind on October 18, 2013, 04:29:41 pm

GOOD JOB!

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: TimPotter on October 18, 2013, 04:36:27 pm

Congrats! :)

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: tallpine on October 19, 2013, 12:32:12 am

Nice job on your first bow, I blew up 5 before I got a bow

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: bowsandroses on October 19, 2013, 02:10:24 am

Nice job it shows you did your home work. I've made several bows since my first and some still come in under weight that is if they don't go bang :o. Never was to good at home work ::) :-[ ;D

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: IdahoMatt on October 19, 2013, 10:41:07 am

Nice work on a successful first bow.  Now it time to get some more shavings on the floor :)

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: Predictable on October 19, 2013, 07:16:15 pm

aweome bow and nice grain pattern from what i see. hope that it never breaks, my red oak board bow broke, what were the dimensions of the board before?

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: mikekeswick on October 20, 2013, 12:52:23 pm

Well done! Now make another for the kid you had to pry this one from  ;)

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: finefirewood on October 21, 2013, 09:11:22 am

Thanks to all for the kind comments. It's good to be part of a board that doesn't spend more time bickering than providing good information and encouragement.

The bow (and my son's) started as a piece of 1"x4"x8', ripped down to 1"x1-3/4"x6'. I chose the lesser of the two so if there was a failure, it would be on mine and not my son's. Now just need to get him out in the shop to finish!

This weekend, the bow saw about 400+ more arrows run through it between my son, his friend, my daughter, and me. No problems and we were all sticking a 3-d deer target at 15-20 yards consistently. Still need to make a proper string, but the trot line is doing quite well with very little stretch, surprisingly.

I now have 5 more to build (or help build) for the youngsters. I'd rather teach them along the way so they are more invested in the final product, and can learn the skills to do it themselves. I'll be on here asking questions, so please don't get annoyed too much with me!!

Thanks to all.

Title: Re: First Bow!!
Post by: SLIMBOB on October 21, 2013, 09:27:18 am

Very nice Sir.  Well done on your first.  My hat is off to you for working with those boys as well.