Author Topic: Crepe Myrtle “Creek Bow”  (Read 1149 times)

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Offline aznboi3644

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Crepe Myrtle “Creek Bow”
« on: December 01, 2021, 07:28:22 pm »
A few months ago I went on a little vacation to the smokies.  Rented a tiny cabin next to a creek for a week.  I had this crepe myrtle stave split from summer 2020.  It was a very small sapling about 2” in diameter. 

I made this bow with some hand tools I brought while sitting next to the creek.   No tiller tree.  Just drawing in hand to check tiller.  Free handed heat treating it over a fire.  One limb took on just a hint of deflex maybe an inch.  The other limb stayed straight.  I have a short draw of 23-24”. 

The bow draws 45lb @ 24” and has zero set after shooting.  Just the hint of deflex in the one limb from the heat treatment. The back of the bow still has the bark on that I lightly sanded.  Finish was just bacon grease heated in over a fire with a layer of paraffin wax heated in after that.  Shoots well. 

Well I don’t know why the pics loaded sideways.  Hmmm

Offline RyanY

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Re: Crepe Myrtle “Creek Bow”
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2021, 08:46:51 pm »
Nicely done. I need to challenge myself and make one without the tillering tree one of these days.

Offline PlanB

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Re: Crepe Myrtle “Creek Bow”
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2021, 09:58:04 pm »
Exactly the kind of bow I love to hear about.
Direct.
I love it when a plan B comes together....

Offline Parnell

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Re: Crepe Myrtle “Creek Bow”
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2021, 11:39:56 am »
Great post.  It’s important to remember to have fun with the craft!
1’—>1’

gutpile

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Re: Crepe Myrtle “Creek Bow”
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2021, 01:44:44 pm »
sweet stuff right here..gut