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Author Topic: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end  (Read 10165 times)

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Offline Pat B

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60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« on: January 22, 2011, 10:43:10 pm »
I'm in on another TradGang Bow Trade this year and the bow I'm building is a 60" t/t, elm static recurve, 50#@28"mol. The stave for this bow is another of Tom B's stash.  8)  I haven't worked much elm so it will be a learning experience for me as I go. I think the stave was a halved log of about 4", pretty straight with only one knot to worry about. When I cut out the bow shape about 6" from one tip had a kink that had to go first thing.

 

partially cut out


Both limb width tapers and initial thickness taper...




You can see the kink in the limb tip.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline NTD

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2011, 11:05:49 pm »
Might have to put mine on hold so I can steal some ideas from you ;D  Already gonna steal your recurve jig >:D  Lucky guy who drew you Pat. 
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Offline okiecountryboy

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2011, 12:26:15 am »
Pat
Looks like that one will have a little character. could you post pics during your progress? I learn a little more every time I read these incremental pic progress posts...Say that three times fast ;D.
Thanks and can't wait to see the finished product.

Ron
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Offline IrishMonk

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2011, 01:15:01 am »
 :o A clean work environment is a safe one !!   ;D  j/k 
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Offline Pat B

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2011, 07:58:06 am »
Ron, I am taking picsof the whole process and will post here as I go. Seeing how it is done has helped me in the past so I will pass this on too.
j/k, My shop is like an old bankie to me. Very comfortable! Every time I clean up it takes days to find everything again.  ;D
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline sailordad

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2011, 08:05:56 am »
Pat, whom ever gets that bow is gonna be a happy person

i like your shop,reminds me of mine  ;D
but your defintaly a little gutsier than i when it comes to cutting near the lines with the band saw

ive ruined several staves trying to get that close
seems like when i try i always manage to turn the stave the wrong way and cut past the lines  :P

cant wait to see the finished bow
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Offline artcher1

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2011, 08:13:17 am »
Looking good! You going to sinew the bow Pat? I'd feel right real comfy in your shop Pat. Everyone knows, you can't get much done if you stop to clean up all the time ;D..........Art
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Offline Pat B

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2011, 08:33:30 am »
No sinew for this bow Art. I will get the limbs to bend right up to or slightly through the handle. I've been successful with a similar design for osage so I thought I'd try it with this piece of elm. If it doesn't work, I still have until July 9 to have another one completed.  ;D but I'm planning on this one working out.  ;)
  Tim I have lots of practice screwing up with a band saw.  ;D  I usually draw my lines proud of the actual dimensions just for that reason. I do try to keep it outside of the drawn line then use a rasp to bring the limbs to their actual begining point.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Keenan

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2011, 08:53:06 am »
Looking great Pat, Someone is going to be a happy camper to have a bow from you. ;D
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Offline blacktail

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2011, 10:26:57 am »
i cant wait to see how this works out for you...i hope to see pics of the progress..john
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Offline Pat B

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2011, 12:10:25 pm »
I got the kink out of the one limb and recurved both tips yesterday. I did have a splinter raise up on the first tip I recurved. I had left them plenty thick and have saturated with super glue and clamped over night. It will disappear as I shape the recurves. I got the limbs shaped and reduced to floor tiller stage first then began the heat straightening and bending.
Here are pics of the process and outcome.
straightening the kink...




Now to begin the recurves. This form has a metal band permanently attached below the curve and attached to the limb with a clamp to support the outside(belly) of the bend to prevent splintering. The splinter that did raise was an island of rings that I should have removed before bending.





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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Pat B

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2011, 12:17:37 pm »
I liberally coated the tips with olive oil before putting it is the form. You can see the color change where the oil was applied. Then I begin heating the limb tip on all sides being very careful to only heat the back slightly as to not damage it. I test the wood as I heat it by putting pressure on it and can feel when it is ready to bend. I start by bending only a portion and clamp that, reheat and bend the rest of the way. When firmly clamped I reheat the entire area that was bent and let it cool in my 40deg basement for 3 or 4 hours before removing it from the clamp. Then on to the other recurve...





Here is the splinter that lifted...



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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline koan

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2011, 12:49:35 pm »
Lookin really good pat! How does the elm like the dry heat? I got a stave from the Yooper a couple years ago and am about ready to do somethin with it.
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Offline Little John

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2011, 12:50:37 pm »
Looking good Pat. Those recurves would make me nervous as heck. Guess I will just have to stick with the straight bows, makes me nervous enough just making adjustments. Are you going to heat treat the belly?       Kenneth
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Offline Pat B

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Re: 60" elm static recurve, beginning to end
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2011, 02:19:16 pm »
Brian, worked well with dry heat and oil. Almost as good as osage.
 Kenneth, Yes, I'll do a good heat treatment on the belly similar to what Marc Does. I haven't tried it to that extent yet so what the heck.  ;D    Just remember this is only wood. If it don't work, try again!
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC
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