Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gaust on January 11, 2014, 04:08:25 pm
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Simple flatbow using a Hackberry stave, from tree cut 10/27/13, 70" ntn, 1 3/4" at fades at to mid-limb, then tapered to 1/2". It's bending a little through the handle. Shooting for 45# @ 28". Fixing to full brace it and shoot it in. Comments welcomed.
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You've got a tree in your workshop????!!!!! Oh, not that kind of comment >:D. The bow looks good to my beginner eyes.
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Are you sure it's dry? Your shop is so clean it makes me nervous... Looking good
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I'd definitely low brace at this point, you have plenty of tip movement. All your bend is currently coming from the inner third of your limbs. The tips will come around some at low brace, but I would definitely work on getting a bit more bend in mid-to outer limb area.
Jon
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Jon, I see your point and I agree. This is a big bow, unbacked, and the limbs seem heavy.
Need to find a way to lighten them up. I want to toast the belly at the end, but now I want to make sure I have the right design. I have thought about shortening it to 68". What do you think?
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Id let it dry much longer especially being hackberry don't rush it .... But hey it's up to you
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Id let it dry much longer especially being hackberry don't rush it .... But hey it's up to you
Good point, didn't catch that. If it feels heavy, It's probably much to wet. Did you quick dry it?
Jon
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Depending on his location and how it was handled, its quite possible to build a perfectly dry bow by now.
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It's been indoors in 65 to 74 degree temps at 35% average RH since mid-November when I roughed it to size. I wonder......? Pearl, is it to big a design for hackberry?
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I'd temper it now. If it takes any set after that, leave it a while.
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Slimbob, as suggested, I just tempered it. I'll let it set a while before I touch it again. I'm really thinking about cutting the limb length down a few inches. Hackberry, I've been told, ends up being thicker than hickory for the same length and draw weight. That leads to some heavy limbs.
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No matter what wood you use the 'same bow' eg. say 50#@28 should weigh the same eg. so many ounces. whether it's made from lignum vitae or hackberry or as or anything else. The length of your bow is NOT an issue the reason it feels heavy is that it isn't bending correctly to my eyes. You have too much bend inner limb and not enough from mid limb out to the tips.
I would strongly recommend reading all of the bowyers bibles. Especially vol 4
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I agree with Mike, too much bend inboard, but 70 inches is long. Not "too long", but longer than needed at those dimensions IMO. I would think you can shorten it if you wish. I would get the tiller right on it first. I let my freshly tempered bows sit overnight and then right back on it the next day. Love tempered Hackberry.
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Mike, thanks, I have three volumes but not the fourth. I will certainly get that one, too. I'll correct the tiller and will see if this wood reacts appropriately. I have a vested interest in making this particular bow succeed. I named this bow 'Ellie' after my first granddaughter, so it's special. Plus it's my first self-bow.
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Good advice so far. Get it low braced, get the outer limb and tips moving, and get rid of that tiller stick! Set up a vertical tiller tree with an inline scale.
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The left limb is too stiff about 6-8" out from the handle. My first thoughts were it wasn't seasoned enough, also.
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Thank you all. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Updates to follow.