2014 bow trade works in progress

[skarhand]

Was able to get outside and make some good progress last couple of evenings. In fact I doubled up and am making 2 somewhat identical bows with one being 2" longer. That way I can send the nicer of the two and the parting won't be quite as hard, LOL. I have used dry heat and veggie oil to flip some curves into the tips. About 10" radius for the last 8".  Both are ready for backing glue-ups...maybe.

I had a couple questions I wanted to ask. One relating to the type of backing and one to the order of operations.

First, I decided to try to use a piece of hickory that I got several months back for backing on one and ash on the other. The ash has grain straight as an arrow, but the hickory is a little less so. Not to say it is HORRIBLE, but it does have maybe 2 places where the grain weebles and wobbles. My question there is, how forgiving is hickory as a backing? I have enough ash to do both, but I have never worked with hickory yet and wanted to try it.

Second, order of operations. I have seen some people talking about getting some of the tillering in before they glue the backing on. Is there a big benefit to this? Any reason to do it one way or the other? I was all set to just start my gluing tonight, but decided to ask if there is any benefit to getting some tillering in prior to glue-up. Thanks.

[bushboy]

If its a hick board I would bend test to make sure it's mold free.I rough tiller prior to backing because most of the crushed belly cells will be removed on final tiller and your starting off more even,less chances o hinges.long even scrapes placing less stress on the belly and less set.hickory is tough stuff and will hold together with less than perfect grain ,even more so if there is a glue line as a buffer. Here's a hick self board for and example.

[NeolithicMan]

I dont know about hickory boards but all the different ways I have worked with hickory has shown me that stuff was made for bending, even with imperfect grain Im sure you could cold bend it far past just about any other wood. Have to get together and get some staves to ya!

[Blaflair2]

So this is where I sit, Glued on a moose antler shelf. I never made a shelf so I said why not. I like it! Hopefully getting over lays on and tips shaped and narrowed and then to shoot it in.

[NeolithicMan]

Built a new tillering tree with a sweet rolling pully aaaaaaaaand the weather turns on me... still made a string but I really wanted to get some finished tillering done on a few bows! oh well, heres a few pics of what I have done so far, BL, bendy handle deflex reflex with slighlty flipped tips thinned to about 3/8

[Blaflair2]

Just noticed I didn't post the other pics...

[BOWMAN53]

nice grip

[Blaflair2]

Thanks jordo

[bubbles]

Got my Plan A  tillered out to 28" today!  I left a few spots a touch stiff because of the knots - let me know what you guys think!  62" knotty Mulberry - 50#@28"  Now I've got to narrow the tips, shoot 'er in and then dress her up. 

[BOWMAN53]

cool bow bubbles

[Pat B]

  I got my trade bow sent out today via USPS Priority Mail. It is scheduled for delivery on Monday, March 31. Please let me know when it gets there and please post pics of you with the bow. I never took a money shot.

[Blaflair2]

Sweet bend man! I'll let u know what it gets here pat;0)

[Fred Arnold]

  I waited all week long for it to show up because I thought you'd sent it out already. Your post makes me feel like I just received a new lottery ticket.

[Pat B]

Fred, your new lottery ticket is probably as good as the ones I buy. 

[Fred Arnold]

Yeah, I know  but I still purchase about 4 a year just in case!!!!