Author Topic: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins  (Read 4592 times)

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Offline Stickhead

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Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« on: August 26, 2016, 10:17:12 am »
Hi, guys,

I had to cut down a couple Crape Myrtle trees in my yard, and I just had to try it out as bow wood.  The trees grow super straight for about 3', then the splay out into branches.  I decided to make billets such that the tips are at the part where it starts to flair out, so it has a little bit of natural recurve at the tips.  I just scraped off the outer bark/cambium layer, and that's the back.

The wood color is very pale, so I dressed it up with some python skins I bought a while back.  It's somewhat soft wood, so I reinforced the tips with purpleheart overlays.  I decided to make it a sleeve take-down, since I've had good luck with those.  I added a leather grip, with some possum bone for beads on the lace.

I found the crape myrtle easy to work with, and seems to have pretty good tension and compression strength.  It took a little bit of set, which is mostly offset by the recurved tips.  Anyway, it bends and hasn't broken, so I call that a winner.  Shoots real snappy and straight, too.

It's 65" n-n, 50# @ 26", even taper from 1-3/4" down to 7/16" at the tips.  I gave it an elliptical, and slightly positive tiller.

Thanks for any advice.

...Tom


« Last Edit: August 29, 2016, 11:23:39 am by Stickhead »

Offline Stickhead

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2016, 10:20:07 am »
More pics...

Offline ajooter

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2016, 10:33:18 am »
That looks great man.  Nice finish work to boot!  Always fun trying new woods.

Offline bjrogg

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2016, 10:37:00 am »
Really sharp looking bow Tom, I'd call it a winner too.
Bjrogg
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2016, 10:40:25 am »
Nice work. I've never tried Crepe Myrtle but I've seen some nice bows from it.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Will B

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2016, 10:46:40 am »
Thatis a great looking bow.  Nice bend and the skins look awesome.  Great job!

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2016, 11:09:14 am »
Good job.  I like those skins
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline red hill

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2016, 08:05:12 pm »
Very nice. You did a great job on that bow.

Offline BowEd

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2016, 08:11:49 pm »
Clean,nice,great bend....overall a very nice bow man.Congratulations on your backyard find.
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline mullet

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2016, 08:54:44 pm »
Nothing wrong with that, Tom. That is one, pretty take-Down you made. Crape Myrtle is everywhere down here, I'm suprised it's not used more. The City plants it for Ornamentals and trims the shoots off of hundreds of trees all over the town. I've been thinking about grabbing some and try them for arrows.
Lakeland, Florida
 If you have to pull the trigger, is it really archery?

Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2016, 09:10:17 pm »
Sweet.  Like that a bunch.
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline loon

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2016, 09:45:52 pm »
Super! Love it

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2016, 07:44:54 am »
You do very clean work, I like that.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline paco664

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2016, 09:01:36 am »
when i close my eyes and think of what i wish my bows looked like....  they all look exactly like that one... *(just with a longer draw... lol..)

unfortunately mine never look that gorgeous...

that sir is a fine lookin bow...  congrats
I'm too drunk to taste this chicken"~Col.H.Sanders

Offline Stickhead

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Re: Crape Myrtle Take-Down with Python Skins
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2016, 01:34:56 pm »
Thanks for all the kind comments, guys!
...Tom