my build along with loefflerchuck (finished)

[Tyke]

I recently received a stave from loefflerchuck that will be a short bow so i asked chuck to give me step by step instructions for my build along so here we go here is the stave. what to do first chuck?

[loefflerchuck]

I would decide what style bow you want. Reduce it to near finished, a little heavy so it's not too light after tillering. Make sure and leave extra wood around that knot.  Floor tiller a little. Then steam or dry heat the bent limb so the tips line up with the handle center. Put a little shellac on the back of the part to be steamed to prevent little cracks from rapid moisture loss. I've made great bows from backs with these little cracks, but better not to have them.

[Tyke]

The five curve you built has caught my eye progress pics to come

[Tyke]

so I have decided to use dry heat to straighten my stave it took about 30 lbs to get hr straight what do you think
Tomorow i will rough out the shape and get it floor tillered

[Tyke]

Sorry i for got to post a pic

[loefflerchuck]

Nice straitining method. I have not seen that before. Snap a chalk line to find center. Remember only the tips and handle center need line up. Other than that follow the grain. Reduce the sides to near shape, then work the belly down to heavy floor tiller. When you got that we will figure out the 5 curve..

[Tyke]

I was only able to start the shaping ill get the handle and floor tillering tomorrow

[loefflerchuck]

Sweet! Tips still look a little wide for the fastest style but better to leave them wide incase we pick up a little deviation in our final shape

[Tyke]

Ive got it floor tillered and shaped th handle left it fat on the belly of the handle

[Tyke]

The only tool's I've used up to this point is my heat gun and ferriers rasp

[loefflerchuck]

Looking good. How do you plan on doing the 5 curve? I usually bend the tips by hand and foot and then the handle over the knee. If you want to cut out a form that is a fool proof way to go though.

[Tyke]

i will probably make a caul so i keep it straight and center i have also built a steam box like the one i built you 3x3x58 with a cap and plat forms to keep it out of the water i will get on building the caul and get steaming ill repost in a couple of days

[Tyke]

Here is the caul and steam box

[Tyke]

First steaming try fail ill have to remove more wood off the belly to get it bending easier

[loefflerchuck]

be careful with that extrene center bend! That may be too sharp of a bend for the wood to stay in one piece. This would turn into a takedown build