Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: campx on January 03, 2014, 01:25:24 am
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First off, the stats.
75 inches NTN. 38 pounds at 28". 2" wide and 1/2" thick at the fades. 2" wide for a third of the limb length, then tapers down to 5/8"wide, 3/8" thick, at the tips. If you were to put it in a category, I guess it would classify as an American Flat Bow?
This bow is from a long straight stave of Douglas maple, only 2.5" in diameter. Had some real nice natural reflex in it. After I cut it in half with a bandsaw (!) and debarked it, I clamped it down hard onto some exposed studs in my shed outside, and let it dry real good. I pulled it off of the studs, and behold, it was still straight and useable side to side, with the reflex still there!
Since it was only 2.5" in diameter, I decided it was a candidate for decrowning. First time for everything I guess. Put a nice razor edge on the drawknife, and away I went. I didn't find it too difficult, except that the rings don't show up all that great on this maple. I actually used some Rit dye and alcohol to stain the back, just to make the grain pop. I managed to get most of the grain to run parallel, even through some interesting dips and knots. Will I do this again, is it worth the hassle? Ya, probably, I'm a sukker for punishment!
I then set-up sawhorses beside my computer desk, and heat treated both limbs in about 4 hours, while drinking copious amounts of Molson Canadian and playing World of Tanks online. I can kill 4 hours this way, and feel like I have accomplished something, as opposed to standing in my garage with a heat gun, being bored outta my head!
Tillering this 75 inch long beast wasn't all that good, I really struggled this time. The last 3 or 4 bows I made seemed to shape themselves, with minimal tillering. This thing, I just couldn't get the bends to match. I also screwed up right at the get-go, and thinned out the limbs too much, so I lost a bunch of weight. Lesson learned.
Green and black Rit dye, and rubbing alcohol, as stain. Linseed oil and beeswax to finish.
Shot this thing 50 times so far, and it went back to 2 inches of reflex on both limbs after resting about an hour.
May put a nice grip on it....or just leave 'er be......thanks for looking!
Top limb not to my liking....but I'm done!
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/11723410983_988386a11e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723410983/)
IMG_3316 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723410983/) by CampX (http://www.flickr.com/people/backinthecroft/), on Flickr
My daughter, who is 4'1" tall, pulling it back.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/11723919046_cb9dd92825_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723919046/)
IMG_3283 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723919046/) by CampX (http://www.flickr.com/people/backinthecroft/), on Flickr
back of bow, after decrowning.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/11723524764_b4012b1e5b_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723524764/)
IMG_3291 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723524764/) by CampX (http://www.flickr.com/people/backinthecroft/), on Flickr
big knot near the top nock
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/11723528274_94021130a9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723528274/)
IMG_3293 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723528274/) by CampX (http://www.flickr.com/people/backinthecroft/), on Flickr
my heat gun set-up, which allows me to drink beer and play video games at the same time (multi-tasking!!!)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/11723146265_26ebdd3dd9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723146265/)
IMG_3300 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/backinthecroft/11723146265/) by CampX (http://www.flickr.com/people/backinthecroft/), on Flickr
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Looks pretty good, I like the dye. Might be able to pike that sucker if you're looking for more weight, but when you're done you're done right!? Keep 'em comin
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That is a very creative jig for your heat gun
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Bet that baby is smooth to shoot. :) Nice job.
Pappy
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An all day shooter hitting ten rings every time with that one ;)
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That's a nice one Camp. Looks like a sweet target bow.
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Love the picture with the archer about 1, 3rd the size of this monster bow! kool bow as well!
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That is a very creative jig for your heat gun
Heck yeah it is.
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I think you did pretty well with that. Your top limb does have a flat spot just above the top fade, but it's not the end of the world. Otherwise your tiller is great.
I bet it's a real sweet shooter, with those specs. Your daughter (I'm assuming it's your daughter?) has some serious juice to be able to pull that bow back! I hope she's a shooter!
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Great pic of your Daught' she has a heroic stance :laugh:
Del
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Thanks guys!
The release on this bow is smooooooooth. All I have right now is carbon fibre arrows, but at least the gpp is close, and they magically zip to the target without you even noticing they are gone.........smooooooth. I have a feeling this bow is gonna be my walking-around bow, even though its 4 inches taller than me!
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Nice job. Nice bow!
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I like the way back looks with rings running parallel. May have to find me a stave worth decrowning. Great Job!