bamboo self bow build

[superdav95]

Dave are the ends working at all know? I know you are more familiar with what you are doing but I would try parallel for 8-9” then straight taper to the tips. That’s assuming the bamboo is thick enough on the ends. But make all but the last three inches not bend. But that’s me . IM watching and learning. Like it  so far!

You must be in my head Arvin. I just did that!  Anyway this makes me feel better the get the outers moving a little more.  These bows tend to have more of a circular tiller.  This also should lighten it up a bit too.  Good call!   I’ll post a few pics of it when closer to 55lbs.

[superdav95]

That’s coming along very nicely Dave. Can’t wait to see how it performs for you. Im betting it will be a good one.

Thanks brother!   

[mmattockx]

Ive got some reduction to do which isnt all bad i guess.  Ill keep yall posted.

How are you reducing this? I assume you will need to take some thickness off to drop that much weight. How do you do that with the bamboo limbs, as in what tool(s) are you using?


Mark

[superdav95]

Ive got some reduction to do which isnt all bad i guess.  Ill keep yall posted.

How are you reducing this? I assume you will need to take some thickness off to drop that much weight. How do you do that with the bamboo limbs, as in what tool(s) are you using?


Mark

I’m just using rasps and sandpaper and block.  I firstly reduced width about an 1/8th” on each side of limb approximately midway up the limb then tapered slightly to the tips.  I also reduced thickness a little at a time and reassessed the effect at brace.  I pull a tiny bit to work in the changes and continue.  That’s it till I get close to 55lbs.  I’m getting closer now.  It better than the alternative I guess.  Not having the reserve draw weight to play with.   We shall see how it goes. It will be a crap shoot to some degree as I don’t want to full draw this bow yet till I get to the flats.  But I should have a good indication on draw curve when I get closer to target draw.  I’ll pull it to around 25-26” and then predict from there based on how my draw curve looks to forecast my 28” draw as close to 50lbs. 

[Selfbowman]

Dave we have to weigh the bow at desired draw weight and length. So you can guess the intended draw weight and use a shorter or longer arrow or retiller there which is a pain. I usually get them to full draw and not shoot them till I get there. Everyone does it differently.

[superdav95]

Dave we have to weigh the bow at desired draw weight and length. So you can guess the intended draw weight and use a shorter or longer arrow or retiller there which is a pain. I usually get them to full draw and not shoot them till I get there. Everyone does it differently.

Well can’t argue with that advise.  You would know the best way to do this.  I’ll get it to 27” draw and make sure I’m at 50#.  That way if I loose a pound or two I can draw to 28”.  I hear a shorter arrow is best so if I can make some 29” barrel tapered shafts and pick out the stiffest ones I can play the odds.  I may not bother speed testing it here then I guess. I’m guessing I want to save any stresses on it for the flight shoot.  It does show promise now and the bend look good with lots of early string tension.  Just gotta get little more weight off and get my outers moving a tiny bit more.  It’s coming along but I’m taking it slowly.  I got one shot at this!   Thanks for the advise partner.  We shall see. 

[Robert Pougnier]

Where and when is this flight shoot happening? I somehow missed that it is where it's going!

[superdav95]

Where and when is this flight shoot happening? I somehow missed that it is where it's going!

Ya I’ve been meaning to get there the 2 years but life got it the way.   The salt flats flight shoot is an annual thing for folks to go and distance shoot there bows.  There are various categories.  I’m sure if you google info will come up and the rules and such.  Keven and Arvin are a couple of guys that go regularly from here.  I’m sure there are others too.  I planned to take this bow along with others for different categories to test there and hopefully compete. 

[Robert Pougnier]

Just looked it up, sounds awesome!
I'd love to get out to events like that, it's my goal this year to start attending meets.
Here is the link to the web info about the event:

https://www.usflightarchery.com/

[superdav95]

Ok so quick update on this bow.  After much sanding scraping and working in the changes I got it to 39 pounds at 20” and the bend was still looking good.  Prior to this reduction it was around 52 lbs at 20”!  All looked good so I decided to take it to 26” and get as close to 50lbs but then I heard a tic!!! My reader was at 49lbs just prior to 26”.   I immediately noticed a small crack in the handle on the mating surface to the top boo limb. It appears to follow a weird grain on the bloodwood. I didn’t notice this waving grain when I selected my blocks for the handle but when shaping it up they appeared.  I just figured it’s plenty thick and strong so should be fine.  Nope!  Anyway all is not lost as no damage to the limbs and my z splice still is good. The crack is due to the wavy grain I believe. The bottom limb looks good still.  I may soak some liquid resin down in the crack and clamp it down to cure. I will definitely be wrapping them when it’s all glued up again.  I think it was Simk that was saying how resin the acrylic stuff might be better to do repairs like this.  Any insights??? I was feeling very good about how it was looking up to this point and I’m just glad it happened here prior to the flats.   If my estimation is in line for a fast 50lbs at 27” or just a pound of two over that.  it is still a tiny bit heavy at approx 2lbs per inch which is what I was noticing after 18”.  So if I’m correct it’s targeted to be around 52-54lbs at 27”.  I may just be alright if I can wrap it after the repair.  I’ll try and post some pics in a day or so of the crack.  I’m not near the laptop at the moment. I’ll post some updates after the repair too. Thanks for all the support and help fellas. 

[Badger]

 Bloodwood is horrible about cracking. I wouldn't use it anywhere on a bow, maybe tip overlays.

[superdav95]

Bloodwood is horrible about cracking. I wouldn't use it anywhere on a bow, maybe tip overlays.

Oh wow. I guess I’ve gotten lucky up till now then. I’m wondering if I should swap out this bloodwood some desert ironwood or teak.  I’m wondering now if I should just redo it now and be more sure.  I’ll have to see what I’ve got after the move.  Thanks for the heads up badger.