Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs
Hazelnut bow build-a-long (fixed pictures)
Gordon:
When you are in the final phase of tillering it is important to keep your tools sharp. That is because you need to have very fine control over how much wood you are taking off. I use a sharpening jig and diamond stone to keep my bowyer's edge sharp.
After more fine tuning of the tiller and wood removal the bow is pulling 55# @ 26”. I’m very close now and between each wood removal session I sand the limbs smooth and remove any tool marks. That way I don’t worry about losing weight due to a lot of finish sanding after I’ve hit my target.
cowboy:
Gettin anxious to see that handle wrap and finish, that's my problem - I rush through tillering and screw it up to see the finished bow >:(. Patience is almost an art itself.....
Gordon:
I’m very close to final tiller and target weight. Now I make certain that any remaining surface blemishes and tool marks are removed. I perform this step in natural light because the smallest flaws are nearly invisible in artificial light, but show themselves readily when the finish is applied. After blemishes are removed I lightly sand the whole bow with 150-grit followed with 220-grit.
The bow is tillered and just a bit over my target weight at 27”. For the next week I will thoroughly test the bow on the tree to break it in and then make minor tiller adjustments as necessary. But the hardest part is behind me. Now it's up to her - if she makes it through the next week of boot camp, she’ll graduate to bow status.
Next up – backing with silk.
Ryano:
Tiller looks pretty good Gordon. ;)
why back it with silk? Isn't hazel nut a strong tension wood like hickory? ???
Gordon:
Ryan,
The gentleman that I am building this for would like snakeskins on the back. Since I'm doing this I might as well add a little protection by puting silk underneath and it doesn't add any significant weight. Also I think it will make a good addition to the build-a-long. But I agree with you - the bow doesn't really need it.
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