Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: david w. on May 25, 2008, 08:08:38 pm

Title: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: david w. on May 25, 2008, 08:08:38 pm
  Do i glue up the bow before i cut the bow to shape so when i do cut it i cut the osage and hickory at the same time. Or do i cut the bow to shape and then lay the bow on the hickory, trace it, cut the hickory, and then glue it up?

Thanks for the help
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: Kegan on May 25, 2008, 08:27:31 pm
Either way is fine. For some scenerios one might be better than the other, but for a standard straight bow you'll be fine glueing them up and then cutting, or cutting and then gluing them up. Which ever you prefer.
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: david w. on May 25, 2008, 09:02:42 pm
ok i will cut and glue them up.
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: adb on May 25, 2008, 09:06:54 pm
I do the glue up first, then cut to shape on the bandsaw later.
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: david w. on May 25, 2008, 11:53:05 pm
i wish i would of waited to cut it because i cant cut perfectly straight.  Trting to get the edges straight with only a surform rasp will be time consuming.  I will have to go pick up my drawknife. that would make it a little easier
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: david w. on May 26, 2008, 12:44:57 am
there is a tiny knot smaller than this smiley  :) on the side of the osage board.  Will it effect anything?
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: radius on May 26, 2008, 01:06:52 am
don't sweat that tiny little knot

i always glue the slats together, and then lay the shape out after cleaning the glue away.  Mark center lengthwise and widthwise at the handle...lay a string from end to end, running through the center mark.  mark the ends by pushing my pencil through the string...

what kind of tools do you have, my friend?
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: Apex Predator on May 26, 2008, 08:27:02 am
For me it's easier to lay out the bows back profile on the smooth flat backing before gluing, since I am usually induced curves in the glue up.  Harder to draw straight lines on the curves.
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: Pat B on May 26, 2008, 12:12:49 pm
David, You can do it either way but I prefer to cut out the shape on the backing and belly, then floor tiller the belly so I get a nice even bend through out the limbs before glue up.     Pat
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: radius on May 26, 2008, 12:18:44 pm
You can draw the outline first, like a.p. said, but then you have to be very careful to glue the pieces exactly perfectly.  Not too hard, but i sometimes find that in order to hit the center of the bow at the handle, i am not in the center at the ends...maybe it's just me ???
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: Pat B on May 26, 2008, 12:23:45 pm
Cut them both outside your lines and cut out the ultimate shape after glue up.    Pat
Title: Re: Preparing hickory backing question
Post by: radius on May 26, 2008, 12:25:37 pm
there you go!  that's a good idea

i haven't found it too too difficult to lay it out even on r/d bows...i just find center at handle and tip, and clip a thin straightedge to the curves...no problem...but i think david's glued it up already...How's the stave coming along, david?