Mesquite Pryamid

[carpholeo]

This is a 60" Screwbean Mesquite, linen backed, pyramid bow in the final stages. Its pulling 50# at 24". From  the look of these pics  i think i need to get the outer limbs bending just a bit more, and wind up at 50#/27". Does anyone else s shop look as bad as mine?







Thats a fake snakeskin  on top of the linen backing printed on regular computer paper then glued and epoxyed

[Comancheria]

Looks nice, Carpholeo.  I  surrounded by mesquite here--though not the screw bean variety.  I would be interested to know whether you used linen cloth or unidirectional fiber for the backing.  Also, what was the widest part of the puramid--and the length of your fades?

Best regards,

Russ

[tattoo dave]

Looking good to me as well so far. I agree, maybe the outer 3rd could bend a little more. And your shop is spotless compared to mine.

Tattoo Dave

[simson]

the wood on the belly pic looks great!
Have sawn or planned the sides of the limbs?
I would not do that, better follow the grain.
And yes, I'm with you more bend on the outer limbs.

[Sidewinder]

Looks good man. Thats some pretty wood. I think your on the right track. Danny

[Jim Davis]

Biggest difference between the limbs is on the right between the red lines. The arc is not quite circular, a little toward elliptical  but may be close enough to help.

Of course, if there are curves in the unbraced bow, they have to be considered in the appearance on the tiller stick. A lump in the line unbraced should show up in the shape when drawn. Otherwise, some part of the limb is bending more or less than the rest to make a regular curve.

[mullet]

Your shop looks good, mine is worse but I know where everything is at. And yes, I think the outer third needs to bend more, too.

[carpholeo]

Have sawn or planned the sides of the limbs?
I would not do that, better follow the grain.

umm both

[carpholeo]

2-3/4 to 3/8 on the limb taper
limbs are 7/16 thick
fades are only 1-1/2
the backing is linen cloth
theres no glued on handle, its all one piece of wood
I dont know why i keep trying to make bows out of mesquite, maybe cuz its available and the local indians used to make bows from it. It certainly isnt bowyer friendly wood, but its about all i have out here except for coastal live oak.

[Danzn Bar]

IMHO....I think the left limb looks pretty good.  The right needs a few scrapes mid limb. It looks a little stiff and flat there.
By the way that is some very pretty wood...
DBar

[Comancheria]

Thanks.  It is beautiful wood--one reason to use it.  I plan to build out of the particular varieties of Mesquite and Live Oak I am surrounded with--as soon as I get the training wheels off after a couple of board bows.

Russ