need ideas for a new bow ( pics added)

[jturner]

i want to make an osage static recurve, its my first try. Ive been searching on here and im thinking 60 to 62 inches 1 1/2" at fades taper to 1 inch 8 to 10 inches from tips down to 3/4" tips, 4 inch handle 1 1/2" fades. how wide do I leave the tips when bending? how far from the tips do I want my bend? if I can figure out how to put pics on here I post pics as I go. let me know if these measurements sound good or what I need to change.  stave is 80 inches by 3 inches wide, very clear and straight from pearl drums

[Pat B]

Your overall measurements sound good. If you are drawing 26" I'd say go with 60" to 62", if 28" draw, 62" to 64". Keep your tips 3/4" wide for bending and until you get to first low brace. At that time you can tell how the string is tracking and narrow the tips, one side or the other to get the string to line up if necessary. Later, reduce the tip width to 3/8".
  Here is a similar bow to what you want. 60"t/t, 1 3/8" at the fades and out until the last 8" or so then tapering to 3/8" tips. The limbs bend to the handle. Handle is 4" and the fades are1 1/2". I can feel it give at full draw. She pulls 56#@26"(on my scale) The actual recurve is about 6" long.

[jturner]

Thanks pat, I draw 28, and like a stiff handle. Ive made some short osage bows but never a recurve. how thick should my tips be when I steam them? i plan on chasing a ring on the belly before bending

[PEARL DRUMS]

WOW! Thats a fine stave Jake, good recurve wood. You dont need to worry about the belly, leave the whole thing 5/8" thick and 1 1/2" wide, then steam the tips for 45 minutes and bend them. Odds are the belly will crack on both limbs. Thats what the extra thickness at the tips is for. The cracks will be long gone by the time you tiller the bow out.

[Lee Slikkers]

Sure love that Osage Stick Pat!!!

[jturner]

got it roughed out 64" 1 5/8 for 12 inches tapering to 1" tips for now, it has a lil twist but not bad. one limb has about 2" reflex the other has about 1" reflex. I am using steam for the tips, do ya think I can get away with dry heat to straighten the twist? its 5/8 thick right now

[NruJaC]

The twist doesn't look that bad, you could probably get it out at the same time that you're steaming the tips.

[jturner]

got one limb sraightend and recurved

[PEARL DRUMS]

Looking good so far Jake. Them is some sharp statics. I like it! I use dry heat for just about everything anymore. Satic tips are the only exception. Dry heat can do allot.

[jturner]

i have both tips bent now, my plan was to leave the tips thick and thin the rest of the belly, them put it on my caul and reflex 3 inches and straighten limbs with dry heat. is that a good plan? is 3 inches too much on a bow this short?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Good plan. I would suggest 2" of reflex. If you where sinewing it I would go more.

[jturner]

my caul is 3 inches in 6 feet, if I cut it off to fit this bow should be bout 2 inches. How thin should I go on my limbs before I straighten and reflex? 1/2" or little less? tryin for 45 to 55 @ 28

[PEARL DRUMS]

Leave it whole and just center your bow. I would get my limbs between 1/2 & 5/8 thock, no thinner.