Yew billet bow build

[superdav95]

Hey gang.  I decided to finally get around to my yew billet bow build that I’ve been putting off.  These billets were quite wide and pipe straight.  About 3.25” wide each and nice and tight grain on matching set.  I decided to do a small narrow z splice that I believe Eric has posted on here as well as I’m sure many others.  I made quick work on the delta band saw to trim down the width of my billets to about 2” wide.  Squared up the bellies to sit nice and flat and match up good.  I measured out my layout handle area roughly and drew the z splice on paper then cut it out and pasted it on the billet ends.  Once my cuts were made I roughed up the glue surfaces a bit with a thin file and bingo almost perfect fit.  The band saw really helps here for sure if it’s set up right and square.  I used ea40 glue 50/50 mix.  Got tight fit and squeeze out.  Clamped it up and now let it cure.  All went fairly well.  We shall see how well it holds.  Stay tuned. 

[superdav95]

Few more…

[Muskyman]

I’m going to be watching this one closely. I’ve got a pretty good load of Osage billets. Won’t be ready for about a year or two but I’ll be watching with interest. Nice looking splice though. I might have a few billets sitting around that are a little over a year old. So I’m definitely interested in what you do here.

[SDBurntStick]

Nice job on the splice. 

[superdav95]

Thanks guys.  I kept it fairly narrow just a little over and inch wide and just under 4” long.  I’ve tried this before with hand saws and although it’s doable I would not recommend it.  I used a pull saw and it was a challenge to get things fitting nice with much file work after.  The band saw helps a lot.   Thanks for following along. 

Dave

[wooddamon1]

Looking good, Dave. I'll be following and learning.

[JW_Halverson]

Dropping a bland all-filler comment in order to have this pop up whenever I log in. I have some really super nice ERC billets I got in trade with BeetleBailey from about 14-15 years ago. Now that I have a bandsaw it is about time to make something happen with those billets!

[superdav95]

Not much to update but did file off the glue and band saw off the belly drops.  They are over 36” long.   I’ll save those for another project for a boo backed yew splice bow soon.  Joints look good and should hold I think.  Gonna remove the rest of the bark tomorrow and narrow up the limbs.  I’m shooting for a 55 lbs at 28”. It will be 66” ntn.  I will likley rawhide back this one as the sapwood is quite thin.  I should be able to have a nice wide limbed bow and still maintain decent ratios of sap to heartwood.  Thanks for looking. 

[superdav95]

One more. Here’s the belly drops. Still lots of meat on them. 

[superdav95]

Had some time today to shape up this bow a little more.  Joint seems good and sturdy.  I thinned down and narrowed it up a bit.  Still not to floor tiller bending stage yet but the wood looks good and clean.  Here’s hoping 🤞

[Muskyman]

Looking good, as usual..

[Pappy]

That is looking good,can't wait to see how it comes out.
 Pappy

[Will B]

Looks great, Dave. Thanks for posting.

[superdav95]

Had a little time to get some scrapes in and see it bending a little.  Still pretty heavy yet but bend so far looks good.  This bow will end up with flipped tips mild recurves.  Currently it’s 68 tip to tip.  I’ll shorten it up after the recurves are in.   There is also a mild deflex in both limbs.  I’ll reflex them a tiny bit with some heat once I get to brace and then bending good to 25” or so.  My goal weight for this one is 55lbs. I may have to scrape a bit the sapwood time thin it down as it’s currently little thicker then 1/8” in some spots. I’m hoping to maintain good ratios at final tiller and goal weight.    I’ll be backing with rawhide later.  Thanks for looking. 

[Pat B]

Looking good, Dave.