Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: arkdoc on May 16, 2014, 05:49:58 pm

Title: My first complete self bow
Post by: arkdoc on May 16, 2014, 05:49:58 pm
It came from a twisted osage stave that I cut on my family farm.  About 54" ntn and is a bend through the handle.  I don't have a bow scale, but comparing it to my known 55# bow this one has more draw weight and my guess would be about 60-65#.  I wrapped the handle with hemp twine and have some fox fur for decorations.  I also made the string out of artificial sinew with some homemade fox fur string silencers.  It took some set, but much of it is natural deflex in one limb.  The tiller isn't perfect, but I am a newbie and I am proud none the less.  Go easy on my guys... :D  Also, my wife wouldn't help me out and take the pictures so this is the best I could get right now and had to rip them from a video off my phone for the full draw pics.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: PatM on May 16, 2014, 06:26:02 pm
Lots of work you can still do on that before you call it good. Your hinged parts don't look too set in the wood yet so I'd work on smoothing out that arc.
 It's a start.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Del the cat on May 16, 2014, 06:35:58 pm
Well done, there's something special about your first bow. :)
I've just finished refurbishing my first ever Yew English Longbow about 40 years after making it :laugh:
So give that one 40 years then re-tiller it ;)
Del
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Badger on May 16, 2014, 06:43:40 pm
   Nice job, I would make minor corrections but not go below your desired draw weight chasing perfection, it works right now, have fun with it.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: VicNova on May 16, 2014, 06:55:21 pm
Good job. They can only get better from here!
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: arkdoc on May 16, 2014, 06:57:07 pm
yeah, the tiller could use some work.  It wasn't the easiest stave to begin with.  The top limb has a good twist to it that makes it have the deflex.  The top limb twists about 45 degrees one way and the bottom twists about 45 the other. 
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Jim Davis on May 16, 2014, 07:02:33 pm
If the limbs weren't straight when you started, then the curve at full draw should NOT be even. If it is, the wood is not evenly strained, because the originally crooked parts are not bending as much as the originally straight parts.

A perfect curve is not always the sign of good tillering.

Jim Davis
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: arkdoc on May 16, 2014, 07:10:19 pm
Thanks for the advice JD.  I used a little trick I read about to help.  I took a small section of a 2x4 and ran it along the belly looking for flat spots and the beginnings of hinges.  I worked it to where it was pretty even.  It shoots well enough for me.  I know I will probably look on it later and see what I could have done better, but I am happy for now.  And I learned a lot. 
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: blackhawk on May 16, 2014, 07:30:48 pm
Congrats...that good feeling of I made that n proud of it never goes away(at least for me)...fun ain't it?  :D and don't worry about it not being perfect, cus mine or anybody else's on here isn't either ;) but we try to build that "perfect" bow,and thats what keeps us building more :)
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: half eye on May 16, 2014, 07:34:12 pm
There was a time on this sight you would have got crap for a bow that short, and probably told not to do it at all. Well your tiller is not bad at all, could you tweek it ....sure. Do you need to....no sir. It's shootin good, and pleases you then leave it be....congrats on your first and you should be proud of it good for ya bud.
rich
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Badly Bent on May 16, 2014, 08:54:21 pm
Nice job, looks like a real good first shooter and those short bendys are fun to fling aroows from aren't they. :)
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: JonW on May 16, 2014, 09:27:33 pm
What Rich said! Just keep trying for a better bow and you will end up with one.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on May 16, 2014, 10:23:37 pm
Congratulations! The tiller looks good. If you note  a fair amount of hand shock she may be bending a tad too much in the handle. Other than that you did very well. Keep up the good work. Jawge
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Buckeye Guy on May 16, 2014, 10:38:56 pm
Awesome job!
Welcome to the addiction!
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: rps3 on May 16, 2014, 10:59:30 pm
Congrats on your first, I look forward to watching your progress.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Scottski on May 17, 2014, 12:06:52 am
Well done on your first bow. I have yet to make one from osage. My first bow broke and I have broke many along the way. Keep at it and you will get better. Nothing like your first shooter. I gave mine to my older brother he is my hero and he can't make bows.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: DuBois on May 17, 2014, 12:17:30 am
Welcome to the party!
Love the detail work there.
I have been known to chase perfection too much and end up with a kids bow, might have done that last night in fact. If you like it and it seems close on tiller and shoots well, then leave it be IMO. Look it over again in 2 or 4 years and redo it then if ya like. At least you kept enough weight to make minor adjustments sometime if you want.
Very nice work there!
Doobs
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Arrowind on May 17, 2014, 01:06:41 pm
Nice job! 
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: wildman on May 18, 2014, 02:50:53 am
Make it bend and make it send. The rest will come, the most important is it puts an arrow where your looking!
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: IdahoMatt on May 18, 2014, 09:52:47 am
Congrats on your first bow man.  Looks like a great first :).  Keep em coming and they will keep getting better ;).  Shoot the hell out of it and enjoy it.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: H Rhodes on May 18, 2014, 06:35:53 pm
Congratulations!  Welcome to the addiction.  Propeller twisted staves are hard to tiller for anyone.  You look at them from one side and they look okay and look all wrong from the other.  You done good.  Now build another one.   and another.  and another...... etc., etc....     
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 18, 2014, 08:54:10 pm
Nice work on your first bow there.  Welcome aboard and keep at it!
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: arkdoc on May 19, 2014, 09:01:57 am
Thanks guys! I appreciate all the advice and comments.  AD
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: 4dog on May 19, 2014, 04:45:40 pm
nice job on a first bow....nice job for a third bow...like blackhawk said...aint none of us shooting a perfect bow...and most likely ....none of us will...but for a first..shoot her anyway.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 19, 2014, 05:21:09 pm
Im glad you got your first one done and very glad you are interested in this great hobby. Id fix that tiller. Its not good enough, as Ive read here many times. That top limb, especially at that weight will break or fold over right above the handle if that bottom doesn't carry its own weight. Im sorry to be a Danny Downer. Please don't be offended, but a guy cant learn without input. If we all say its just fine how do you know to improve it or what needs improving? I cant sit back and let you build another 5-6 bows trying to figure out what I can see now in your first.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: arkdoc on May 19, 2014, 07:16:06 pm
Where are you seeing in the tiller that is bending too much or too little so I can see where to start?
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 19, 2014, 08:32:09 pm
Right above your handle is doing 70% of the entire bow's bending. That bottom limb is barely moving, if I have it matched with unbraced pic correctly. 
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: arkdoc on May 19, 2014, 10:47:32 pm
Thanks, I appreciate the input.
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: mikekeswick on May 20, 2014, 12:24:28 pm
Im glad you got your first one done and very glad you are interested in this great hobby. Id fix that tiller. Its not good enough, as Ive read here many times. That top limb, especially at that weight will break or fold over right above the handle if that bottom doesn't carry its own weight. Im sorry to be a Danny Downer. Please don't be offended, but a guy cant learn without input. If we all say its just fine how do you know to improve it or what needs improving? I cant sit back and let you build another 5-6 bows trying to figure out what I can see now in your first.

+1 to that!  ;)
Title: Re: My first complete self bow
Post by: Josh B on May 21, 2014, 04:30:29 pm
Congrats on your first!  It won't be your last.  Looking forward to seeing your next one. Josh