Primitive Archer

Here is a build along for a Eastern red cedar/sinew bow I am making. It's a first in a few ways: It's my first lumber bow, first juniper/sinew bow, and first time building a bow with materials I've mostly purchased rather than harvested. Eastern Red Cedar is a Juniper (Juniperus virginiana). It has a low SG but is very elastic. I've read that they can make excellent yet finecky sinew backed bows. I've read that tighter ringed trees and heartwood are densest.

I selected a quarter sawn and tight ringed board that was much darker on average than the rest. It also felt a bit denser/heavier than most of the other ones in the pile. It's free of any noticeable knots, though has a couple small pins.

To add to the challenge and fun, I also purchased a handful of beef sinew dog chews to see what I could get out of it. It turns out that while a couple pieces were fairly degraded, I was able to get 3 fully processed and they are very long and clean. I swished them in rubbing alcohol after processing because they are bit greasier and stinkier than elk and deer sinew.

The first set of photos is of the materials.

Here are the rough dimensions of the bow: 62 inches end to end, 60.5" ntn.1.75" at fades and down to 1.5 at midlimb. Light taper to 3/4 inch before the nocks. pin nocks are 1/2' . Target draw weight and length is 45# @ 27".

Thanks guys, ya BJ I kicked it down yesterday, still lots of hot coals and a few bigger pieces in the pile , but most down to ashes , supposed to rain today so may just clean up what is left and throw in a ditch somewhere, got plenty of them on the farm. 
 Pappy
 

I couldn't open the link either.

Thanks, guys.  When crooked wood's what you have, crooked wood is what you use!  If I ever get hold of a straight piece I'm not going to know what to do with myself.   

I’ve built a couple of Crookedsticks before, but nothing like that. Great job of turning that piece of wood in to a working bow. Very impressive.