It’s a bow!
It’s mostly finished now.
So, for a bow made out of belly drops from a material combination and bow design I’ve never done before it ain’t too bad! Good enough to be worth finishing nice.
The tiller isn’t perfect, it’s working too hard in the inner limbs but it was all the wood I had. I didn’t get rid of the last of the glue from the glue up on the belly of the inner top limb until I got to 400 grit sanding it.
I was hoping for 35-40 at 28 and it turned out at 34@32. Again, couldn’t get any more weight from because of the thickness of the Ipe so I’m not too worried.
The actually tillering took no time at all.
I think if it was an inch shorter in each limb it would have been spot on. Really pleased that I’ve got all the information I need now to make another.
Siyah angle was spot on for 28” but not quite enough for 32”
I’ve shaved all the weight I feel comfortable removing from the tips. I could probably get some more off but I’m going to leave it as it is as I’ve ruined a couple of good bows by over thinning them. It’s nicer with a heavy arrow but think the long thin limbs cause a bit of vibration and the extra inch of unnecessary Ipe on each outer isn’t exactly helping.
Sheep horn (yes I’ve got sheep horn already) for the string bridge and nock plates.
145fps with 13gpp, couldn’t get a reading on the lighter arrows as light was fading. Not fast but not too bad.
Need to make a string but I don’t have one of the jigs for doing the conventional strings with the long loops and serving so I’ll wing it with a Flemish.