Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs
osage board bows: 2 at once
radius:
I finished the 2nd bow today. I had to reduce the width considerably! Running a string from center to center of the tip showed a big error, so I made it as wide as i could: 1 inch. It is 1" wide the center 3 feet or so (but the handle is about 5/8")...tapering the last foot to 1/2". As a result of my mistake, the bamboo is alot thicker on one side than the other. But the bow draws in a smooth tiller, 70# at 28" with about 1.5" string follow.
radius:
Hi,
I was a little overeager to say "finished" on this one. I got the tip overlays on and shaped. Also, cut into the handle a 1/4" then added a small piece of rosewood to build out the arrow rest. Once I had everything smoothed over and the handle sitting nicely in my hand, I strung it and realized it needed a little more work.
So, it's still a work in progress. One of bamboo nodes is sitting right over the fades in the lower limb, making that area very reluctant to bend. The upper limb has all the bend it needs. An hour or so more work should get 'er done.
radius:
Okay, got the tiller in...did a little more work on sanding the handle, the arrow rest, and the limbs in general. Notice that the upper limb has a positive tiller. I found on my earliest bows that the lower limb would bend too much, so I make them a little stiffer than the upper limb now. It looks symmetrical (fairly!) when drawn, but i'll have to prove that with a pic later on.
Notice that the handle is just a bulb. it is big enough for the palm of the hand, and no more. The bend starts very soon out of the fades and maximizes the available material. My initial goal of making 70# bows has been reached. In the next few days, I'll final sand and oil this bow...not stain it, as I did the other one...and my project will be done...god, what do i need with 2 more bows?!?!?!?
radius:
Alright, it has been final sanded to 400 and oiled.
here's the inspector examining the tip
bulbous handle from both sides
tip overlay
spalt looks the same even after oiling
This is the pyramid shaped bow with the bulbous handle. For those of you following along, it is not the one which had the wane on one edge. That one got cut to 1" wide along most of its length. This puppy weighs in at 68# at 28" after final treatment and sanding. Within 2 pounds of my initial target weight. I'm pretty happy with it, let me say. Thanks for looking.
radius:
Here are a few shots of the other one.
This one rec'd a stain before oiling...gel stain called "provincial"...whatever...
I need to file the nocks a little deeper, so i don't have a brace height picture just now...
Here's the fade, next to my thumb...
Here's the tip, next to my pinky...
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version