too short?

[Catnapper]

I did use their advice. The handle was all ready deflexed from the first design and I only slightly recurved the tips to be just  a hair behind the handle and am taking it down in the handle to make it a bendy one. I may be wrong but that's how I interpreted the advice given.  there were two different views given so I took one and went with it. I agree Sinewing would an insurance and I may do that also but I got a lot of reading to do as I have not done any of that or saved any sinew from my deer.

[blackhawk]

Ok...no worries. 

I was baffled and confused. Because you said you just recurved the tips and didn't mention you were gonna thin the handle down and take such and suches advice.

I think a side profile picture of what you have will help out a lot better to get the correct advice. No one knows how much the handle is deflexed and how far you recurved the tips.

[Catnapper]

I will definitely get pics posted. 
blackhawk- is the deflexed area supposed to start right at the handle or right at the fades? The deflexed area I have right now starts at the fades where they blend into the limbs.

[blackhawk]

That's ok as long as that's where it is,and as long as there's enough to give you a fighting chance at reaching that draw length

We'll all know better once we see your profile. Plus were a bunch of sickos here that like to look at pictures of all types of wood. 

[mullet]

Start your deflex bend coming out of the handle then bend the tips above the back like Steve said. And 28" isn't pushing the limits with this bow if the design and Tiller is right.I've made a couple like this with 1"-1 1/4" wide limbs that pulled 50# and were around 50# @30".

[blackhawk]

Mullet....remember this bow is only 48" long. Drawing it to 28" and 4" past more than half its length (which you suggested)is definetly pushing the limits. And you said you made one that drew 30" You must've deflexed the handle severely to achieve that.    Im confused.  Please clarify.

[mullet]

 I don't follow the "rules" very much. It's just a piece of wood, if it doesn't do what I'm looking for, it probably breaks Really nothing to be confused about, if you don't try something new you just keep on making the same stuff. If you read some of the earlier, "modern" bow building books it used to be said you couldn't make a bow from kiln dried lumber.

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes you can make a hunting bow and yes you can draw it 22 in. max. if backed with rawhide. 20 in if not. Jawge

[IndianGuy]

I frequently build bows between42-48 " that are from 30-70 pounds, so your length is fine.

[mullet]

Here is a bend in the handle HHB, unbacked 51", 52# pulled 30".

[JW_Halverson]

Plus were a bunch of sickos here that like to look at pictures of all types of wood. 

Woohoo!!  Bow Porn! 

[blackhawk]

Awesome mullet that's exactly what I wanted to see 


Not sure if id advise you catnapper to attempt something like that yet tho. Thems for the pros to make. Let's just try to get you to get that bow at your intended 25"   


Funny how there's varying opinions from folks saying how far you can draw this bow.

[mullet]

Thanks, Blackhawk. I was just trying to get across that there isn't really  established "rules", maybe guidelines. It seems like when someone comes across making a statement that is Gospel, someone else is going to ask why.

[Catnapper]

well here are a few pics.... and the end result is i think i better save these shorties until i get a little more experience! After i thinned the handle down i put it on the tillering stick to see if it had any bend to it yet....and well the pics tell the rest of the story    I appreciate all of the advice everyone has given and i think when i start my next bow i will post pics as i go so maybe you more experienced guys can help me spot my mistakes before they end in Tragedy! LOL Hope the pictures show up.  Thanks again!   Keith  

[mullet]

That sux. The handle really wasn't thin enough and you might have damaged the wood with to much heat. Is that the same limb that broke before? If so, thewood might have had some rot or wind damage.

 On the up side, you get to make a better one with the knowledge gained from this one. Advice is still free and plentifull.