2016 Primitive Archer Bow Trade Sign up and Information

[PlanB]

That's a tough one Ajooter. Hoping for the best.

Nothing to show new for the trade here. Still waiting for Plan C wood to dry. Losing 15g/day at this point on about 1800 total in the blank. Might be another week or so.

[ajooter]

This is the top limb...I don't think I'm going to be able to flip this tip.

[---GUTSHOT--->]

How wide is the limb if you took the knot out.

[---GUTSHOT--->]

Been 10 days sense my shaving horse broke for the 3rd time. It is now fire wood. Here's my new bow making table/tillering table. I still have to fix a rope and pulley system to tiller with. I'm ready to go pick out another stave to start for a plan B part 2. 

[ajooter]

I posted a pic with and without my doodles.  Doesn't look bad in the hand...this changes my opinion on a tillering tree a little.  The tip isn't quite wide enough to eliminate the knot altogether I don't think. I think if I can get that outer third and inner third a little I might be able to get this girl shooting.

[hammertime]

That walnut is looking good Fred! Ajooter just my two cents but I would just leave it and keep going...wonky is good character and I don't think it will hurt performance-Hammertime

[ajooter]

You think like I do hammer thanks for that.

[Swampman]

I am looking for opinions on the tiller on this black locust.  If it turns out, it will be my shortest bow at 56 inches ttt.  In the picture below it is drawn to 24 inches and I want the handle to work.  Currently when I draw it in my hand I can just start to feel movement in the handle.  I need to draw another 3 to 4 inches on this bow.  Any advice on where to scrape a little? 


[/[URL=http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Mrpdap/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-03/85A4A713-C97E-47A6-82F6-A3F8EE424282_zpsnaravghz.jpg.html]

[mwosborn]

Ajooter -

I just got home and on my computer so just now seeing the pic I asked you to post.  That helps seeing that limb unbraced.  I am certainly not an expert ...but I agree with your last post with you drawing it in hand.  The tiller on the tree actually doesn't look bad to my eye.  It needs to bend a little past the deflex in the left limb.  If I was working on it, I would probably rely a lot on my vertical line on my tillering tree.  I would hook onto the string where I would place my middle finger when I draw and then tiller to pull the hook straight down the vertical line.  If it pulls to one side of the line, that is the stronger limb.  I would work that limb accordingly.  Good Luck!

Fred - osage is looking good.

[jeffp51]

Here is my (un)twisting rig.  I have a wooden wrench with arms that extend beyond the sides of the limb to prevent any denting.  A gallon of water is attached to the end of the lever, and propped up from below to prevent the limb from reflexing instead of twisting.  The foil covers a wet rag which is heated with the heat gun until the weight of the water is enough to cause the whole thing to twist.  The bucket below stops the twist from going too far.  Right now the whole bow is clamped to my work bench so that it doesn't retwist as it dries back out.

In between heatings I have been knapping. I think I am starting to get the hang of it.  These don't compare to the real masters on the knapping forum, but they are starting to get thinner (.25") and my flakes are traveling further and I am starting to get the beginnings of some parallel scar patterns.

[---GUTSHOT--->]

Swampman you've got that BL looking good. Maybe a few scrapes in each fade then finish it off with some scrapes at the tips should get your 3-4 inches. Man that bow will be a screamer. Did you toast the belly?

JeffP51 I like your set up you got there. And them points are looking good!  Rawhide will be in the mail after I get off work today.

[Swampman]

Thanks gut.  It is great to get a second opinion.  I was going to go ahead and finish up last night but decided to slow down and get some help on here.  Any mistakes now and the bow will come in under weight. 

[Fred Arnold]

ajooter, I don't think you can make it using the drawing board with that bow. You more or less have to just feel it. It's never going to look even on paper with that wonky bottom limb.

Swampman, that's coming around nicely but doesn't look like you'te getting any bend in the handle

[Swampman]

Thanks Fred.  I was thinking the same thing.  On the tillering tree it doesn't look like the handle is working.  In my hand I can feel just a hair of movement.  That is what I will work on.  That may give me the next couple of inches needed.

[Swampman]

By the way Fred, this is my first bendy handle bow so your help is appreciated.  I guess I need the handle to be bendy right