BITH BOWS

[legend]

Thanks willie and Pat . Yeh Pat my aim is to slightly fill the handle area out with some leather ( back and belly ) and wrap with either some red artificial sinew or some brown waxed thread . Just waiting for my piece of Ash board 6ft 6"  x  2 1/2" . As stated previous I have the woodworking skills and the knowledge which Ive gained through previous builds and all the info I get from yourselves and others on here , so thanks .

[legend]

Right Lads , Ive received a really nice length of cut down ash board and after a great deal of thought about whether to build an American flat Bow ( on a different thread ) or build the BITH bow , Ive decided to go with the BITH bow but just want to say a big thanks to everyone that was kind enough to offer their more knowledgable advice on both threads . As ive said , I already have the woodworking skills but I really appreciate al the helpful advice on this forum . Looking forward to taking my time to hopefully produce a good quality bow .

[Pappy]

 Good advice from above, I feel sure it will turn out good, can’t wait to see the updates and finished bow. Pappy

[legend]

Cheers Pappy , will do once Ive finished .

[legend]

Just realised that the length of Ash board ( which has a good straight grain ) I am going to use to make a BITH Bow of 64"  TTT has a thickness of 1 1/2" exactly . As the 64" bith bow Im planning to make is going to have a thickness of 3/4" that leaves the exact same dimension board to make another bow . so what Im planning is by using the second length for another bow I would like to attempt to make a much shorter style bow , say between 50" and 55" bith  / flat bow style with the following measurements , if anyone would kindly confirm for me that it would be practical .
Total length : 50" / 55"
Handle length : 4"  / width 1 1/8" scalloped in
Width of limbs :  1 1/2" either tapering straight up to 3/4" tips / or parallel limbs to mid length then tapering up to 3/4" or 1/2" tips 
Thickness on this short of bow  any suggestions
For roughly a 25" draw at 35lbs ?
Any suggestions or advice appreciated , thanks

[Pat B]

A good rule for a wood bow is make it two times the draw length plus 10% so your 55" would fit into that range. 
 be sure your tillering is spot on.

[M2A]

Those dimensions sound practical. I have an Osage and red elm in my shop, each about 40 pounds, that just need bells and whistles added and that’s about the dimensions they both have. My handles usually end up around 5/8 thick. I would guess with ash it would be just over to achieve the bend/stiffness I like at those dimensions provided it’s good dense stuff. Leave your 3/4” thickness in your handle until your out to 18 inches on your tiller then you could start to work some movement into that area slowly. I like to break the bow into thirds and taper the outer thirds.I do think 57” ntn would be more forgiving if you have the length but 55 ttt I’d doable with good material and a spot on tiller.
Mike

[legend]

Thanks Pat and Mike for your latest advice, this forum is a great help for someone like myself who hasnt a massive amount of experience in these things .

[JW_Halverson]

Thanks Pat and Mike for your latest advice, this forum is a great help for someone like myself who hasnt a massive amount of experience in these things .

That is THE REASON THIS FORUM EXISTS!!!

There are a lot of us that make few bows anymore, but love passing it along. I am forever inviting someone over to make their own bow in my garage with me. And I am certainly NOT alone in doing this. Some guys, like Pappy, invite hundreds of people to show up for a long weekend and hundreds of bows get made!!! (It's called the Tennessee Classic. Ostensibly an open archery shoot, lots of us just show up and hang out in what has to be the best staffed, friendliest, and most expert bow shop in the world.)

[legend]

Nice to know , and the way it should be and the skills should never die .