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80" White Elm Warbow Build-along
Cameroo:
I'm just at the tillering stage on what will be, if successful, my first 100+ lb bow, and also, potentially my first successful selfbow. I thought getting a little feedback along the way might improve my odds. The stave is 80", and I am going to be shooting for 110 lbs @ 32". It is roughed out with shallow radius on the back edges, and deeper radius on the belly edges. Threw it on the tree and it is just starting to bend a bit.
Measurements as it stands now (taken from center, proceeding outward at 6" intervals):
Width Thickness
center 1.57" 1.41"
+6" 1.49" 1.32"
+12" 1.34" 1.19"
+18" 1.20" 1.10"
+24" 1.09" 1.02"
+30" 0.95" 0.89"
+36" 0.81" 0.80"
+40" 0.71" 0.72"
Does that seem about right?
Now, a question before I proceed. The stave is close to pipe-straight, but has developed a very slight twist since roughing it out about half a year ago, causing the tips to go out of alignment. It also has some very slight humps and dips along it's length. Considering this is an elm stave, I am assuming from reading some of Del's posts, among others, that the stave will certainly benefit from heat treating. I am also assuming that now would be the best time to do this, and I could take out the humps and twist at the same time by clamping the back of the bow to the edge of a 2x4, one limb at a time, as I heat it. I could then take the bit of twist out with another heat session if necessary, and then give it a few days for the moisture content to stabilize again before proceeding with the tillering? Is this a safe assumption? Any other opinions?
I'd take some pics but I don't think they would add anything to what I've described.
WillS:
I don't know anything about elm or the best way to attack it regarding straightening, but I will say good luck, and I look forward to checking in on the thread to see how you go!
adb:
Awesome Cam!! I can't wait to watch your progress. It'll be 2 firsts... first selfbow and first true warbow. Take her nice and slow. I'd actually be interested in seeing pics, to see how much it changed since you roughed it out in my shop. Those elm staves where pipe straight.
Cameroo:
Well if you insist :) As I mentioned, there are no serious issues, the only reason I even mentioned straightening is that if I am going to be heat treating anyway, I could kill two birds with one stone.
Side profile - nothing really to worry about. Slight hump at dark knot on side of left limb, a bit of extra reflex in the right limb.
Small knot ran off the side of this limb, but will likely all be removed during tillering
The clamps on the limbs help show the slight twist. Again, hardly worth mentioning, but you can see that the tips are no longer aligned through the center of the handle...
And also I had to show off this little jig I made for my heat gun. It just screws onto the camera mount on my tripod. Can be set to any height or angle :) Can't wait for it's trial run
toomanyknots:
Shoot, I'd say you got enough meat, given that the wood is dense, to make well over 110# @ 32. Although of course sometimes the wood is not so dense, so I would probably stick with those dimensions and watch the weight on the scale. When it is me and I have a slight twist like that, anymore I will just tiller the bow out to about a 4" brace, and correct the twist by removing belly wood on one side on the belly more than the other. I'll get it straightened out, and gradually work it in and bring it to a 6" brace. If it is seriously too twisted to brace, like dangerously twisted, I will try to correct the twist and then go to brace, see if it is twisting, unbrace, remove wood, repeat, etc. Very cool thanks for sharing.
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