Author Topic: Taking some advice--my second self bow start! (Read 16950 times)

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #30 on:** October 16, 2007, 12:01:01 am »

Thanks all I havent given up yet. I have learned some good lessons already. I will continue and see if I can get something worthwhile going...thanks for all of the support...chuck

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #31 on:** October 22, 2007, 06:17:22 pm »

Here is the next try to make a bow!

This is a piece of red oak that has a burlap backing on it. It is 66" tip to tip. I have a long string on it and it is pulled to 10" in the photo. After each shaving of the limbs I have pulled it 40-50 times not past brace. Just flexing the limbs before I put it on the 10" peg. The 10" is measured at the point that the long string just begins to put pressure on the limbs....chuck

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a finnish native · « **Reply #32 on:** October 22, 2007, 06:23:11 pm »

now is the time to slow down. put a short string on her and see how she adapts. the tips and outer limbs seem just a bit stiff, but dont touch them yet. A short string will pull the tips in a more powerful way, so see how it goes and take it slow.

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #33 on:** October 23, 2007, 12:18:41 am »

a finnish native ---By a short string do you mean brace it at about 3". Then start checking the tiller again?...chuck

Pappy · « **Reply #34 on:** October 23, 2007, 05:58:08 am »

Looks like it is about ready to brace to me.I usually measure from where the back of the bow would be unstrung at the tips and when I get the out to about 8/10 inches I brace it at a low brace ,maybe 4 inches or so.Then go from there.After I get it out a little futher maybe 15 inches I full brace it ,about6 inches.Looking good so far.

Pappy

a finnish native · « **Reply #35 on:** October 23, 2007, 06:49:06 am »

yup. somewhere around 3-4 inches.

George Tsoukalas · « **Reply #36 on:** October 23, 2007, 11:15:50 am »

Get some bending near the handle area. Let the bending start at the end of the fades. Jawge

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #37 on:** October 31, 2007, 11:48:42 am »

Thanks for all the advice I really appreciate it. It is coming along nice now. I was about ready to post another picture when my son-in-law came over and wanted to see the progress. I showed him what it looked like now and took a weight measurement at 10". He wanted to try it and without me realizing it he pulled it well past the 10" and I heard a loud pop. The bow fell to the ground.

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Chuck Jones · « **Reply #38 on:** October 31, 2007, 11:57:38 am »

I have since started another bow. I have a short string on it now pulling it to 10". In this picture you can see that I still need to work towards the handle some. I have only worked the limbs to about 6" from the tips. At this point in time the left limb is bending 1/4" more than the right limb....chuck

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Pappy · « **Reply #39 on:** October 31, 2007, 12:02:31 pm »

Coming along nicely,get a little more bending at the fades should do it.You are determined
I will give you that and that is what it takes,It will AL come togeather.

Pappy

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #40 on:** October 31, 2007, 12:25:32 pm »

Pappy---thanks for the encouragement. There has been a lot of work put into these bows. The last one that broke should have been a shooter by now. I really hated to loose it. The one before where the tips broke I have cut off at the breaks and now have a bow that is 36" long. So I am thinking what could I do with a 36" bow. Maybe a crossbow. Of course, I have no idea where to start to do that. Anyway I do enjoy making bows and If I am patient with this one, and droping the weight carefully I think it will make it. I am really excited about the progress so far....chuck

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #41 on:** November 01, 2007, 12:13:25 pm »

Next Question?? At the tip of the fades it is bending about 1/16". Is the bend to start at the tip of the fades? Or deeper into the fades close to the handle? About how much bend from level should I be looking for...thanks...chuck

Pappy · « **Reply #42 on:** November 01, 2007, 12:24:22 pm »

Just out from the fad ,just a little.You don't want it to bend where you have cut in and violated the grain.

Pappy

Chuck Jones · « **Reply #43 on:** November 08, 2007, 11:28:35 am »

This bow was finished I was ready to apply the finish I drew it on the stick for the final weight and it broke on one tip. The break started about mid limb. I was so happy with this one. It shot nicely. I put about 40 arrows thru It and I was excited to finish it off. Oh well, either I cant do this or my wood selection was very poor. Probably the latter. Home depot has a crappy selection to choose from. I have a couple of handle sections now. I guess I will have to dent my wallet and go to the hard wood store now.....chuck

DanaM · « **Reply #44 on:** November 08, 2007, 12:13:41 pm »

Sorry to hear that it broke. Are you backing the bows?
With boards I strogly suggest that you back them with linen, silk, heavy paper etc.
Fabric stores sell linen fairly reasonably, use Titebond 2 or 3 to apply it.
Unless the grain is absoutly perfect you will continue to break them without backing.
Just my opinion.

Primitive Archer