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Apple wood bow, can I fix?
Lost Oki:
This 4th bow, first three were oak board bows, one broke, still shooting other two. The apple wood bow is from a limb and has been drying for several months. I started working it down to get close to 40 lbs at 26" and feel like I have messed up. First pic is of bow limb, it tapers from 2.5" at handle to 1" at tip, note the knot approx 5" from tip and second about half way. 2nd pic is of the knot close to the end of bow, limb is 1/2" thick and 1" wide at this point and I cut into the knot. 3rd pic is second knot in first pic,
Questions: 1. can this first knot be fixed in some way.....super glue?.
2. 2nd knot, how should I reduce the thickness of limb at this knot.
I know I should purchase some of the books on self bow building but I am retired with limited funds.
superdav95:
Lost oki. I wish I had some reassurances for you but it’s been my experience that these kind of cracks in knots at this spot are trouble down the road. You could fill in with some thin ca glue and hope for the best. The knot that appears in last pic may be ok just round off as much as you can without compromising the knot and a little of the surrounding wood. Best of luck. Keep us posted.
Hamish:
If you still have more tillering to do, then don't remove any more wood on either of the knots, on the belly. Knots are weak points, both in tension and compression. Therefore those areas would be left with little bumps or warts to compensate.
Ideally you would have identified the problem a little earlier in the process. Just keep an eye out for compression fractures on the belly at these area, as you progress tillering and shoot in..
stuckinthemud:
Knots can be week points in compression and tension, that is very true but I would caution against going too far in leaving thickness as this can cause a hard point which also can lead to failure. You should follow the grain as it flows around the knot in all 3 dimensions. Keep things oversize initially and refine things late on but the tillering gizmo will be your very best friend here
Lost Oki:
Thank you Gentlemen for the reply's. You learn from your mistakes and gain from the knowledge of others. I have a tendency to think "outside the box", a disadvantage sometimes. SO:
What If????? I gave up on the 40 lb draw weight and started a taper just past the first knot on right from handle and tapered to a 1/2" wide, 1/2" thick in middle tapered to approx 3/8 or 1/4" at edges at 2nd knot. This might eliminate the bad knot.
Just read the post on mollegabet bows, based on drawing posted this might work. Think I will give it a shot if it will work on the other limb without causing issues. Got to love this sight and the people posting here.
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