Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs
Hill style tri-lam build-a-long!
Apex Predator:
I tried, but she is probably 100# right now. I have to remove a lot of wood first.
Apex Predator:
Wish I had more to add, but no progress worth taking photos of. I took the capacitor off my sander and it was blown, but a new one didn't make it work! I guess I need to buy a new sander. I have been working the limbs down with a wood file and scraper. After several hours of sweat, I am about half way to being able to brace it! I figure the belt sander would have got me to the brace stage in less than an hour. It will take about 5 hours with these hand tools. That is the problem with using new designs. I have to leave bunches of wood to start, so that I don't come in under weight. I have a really good taper, so I am working both limbs down evenly. Hopefully, I can get a string on it by tomorrow morning and take some more photos. Stay tuned.
Ryano:
Maybe a good lesson for you in using hand tools. I have a sander but I never use it for tillering a bow limb anymore. I did that in the early days until I learned to use my other tools properly. Nothing works as good as a good sharp scraper and a fariers rasp. I can remove material just as quikly with them and I have way more control with them. Good luck and have fun. Ryano
Apex Predator:
Here is a quick update. I haven't had as much time to work on it lately, and the work is going slower without my belt sander. I am almost ready for bracing. The right limb is still a little stiff though.
Here is a riser shot showing the fades, and another showing the tips a little more finished.
Apex Predator:
I was able to work on my bow some more this morning. I got the limbs bending 10" past the handle on the long string. Now it's time to cut some string grooves. I start with just a groove on the back to hold the string. After I string her up she may need some side adjustment on the limbs to get the string to line up down the limbs. After I get everything in line I will trace the string on each side of the tip while it's strung to know where I want the grooves cut into the sides. I measure 3/4" from the very tip and mark a line. I find this gives me room for a cup style stringer. I first cut a guide line in with a small trianglular file and then follow it with a tile cutting coping saw. I cut it just deep enough for most of the saw blade to hide in the groove.
I strung her up with a brace height of 3-4" and gasped in shock. I had a bad hinge in both limbs just past a node on each end about 12" from the tips. I unstrung her immediately! I still have a good bit of belly wood to work with, and think I can work out the hinges by removing wood else-where. On the long string the limbs were bending some towards the tips, and I should have known they were too thin. As I learn these mistakes I will become a better bowyer! Hopefully some of you can learn from my mistakes! :)
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