Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs
Mary Rose Replica Bow Build-Along--An Entrance into the World of War Bows
Justin Snyder:
Looking good J.D.. I have no doubt you will get them finished. By the way, It's not what you know, Its who you know. Justin
MattE:
I have a few heads that are forged. The way to make the socket is to flatten out the back of the heads into a sheet of metal and then bend it around a form of the socket. The form can easily be made from scrap rod.This way helps you to keep the weight down,which seems to be the problem most people have with forged heads.
Pat B:
Josh, I had a blacksmith friend of mine work on a some bodkins a few years ago. He figured out that the easiest way to make the socket was to roll the metal around a mandril then shape the point. We never got the bugs worked out and didn't go any farther with it. I have the few he made. On some we tried to drill out the socket but that wasn't very practical...or at least to us. Looking forward to this poroject of yours. Keep it up! Pat
duffontap:
I highly recommend the video on www.englishwarbow.com It's a free download and you just need Windows Media Player to view it (Mac OS 10 users need flip-40mac to view it on QuickTime Player).
The sockets are shaped just as Matt and Pat, hmmm, suggested. I took this idea to the local blacksmith and he said we could give it a try this Saturday. He's a high-end iron art dealer, so he has every possible jig--including a large cone that should be perfect for shaping the sockets around. I'll post some pics of that effort as well.
Weight is the main problem. I think a finished point should be pretty near 300 grains for a 1/2" arrow. That may even be a little high, but I haven't found a lot of good information on bodkin weights. Can anyone help here?
I may get around to building a little forge for my home shop this Christmas break. I'll post a brief how-to on here if I do.
For those interested: I have pulled my war bow to full draw a few times now. Now that it's broken in, I think it's drawing something like 110# at 32". I need to measure it again though.
Tomorrow is my first day of Yew cutting for the winter. Looking for the one-in-a-million tree.
J. D. Duff
mnewcomb59:
Sounds fun. Remember the higest density staves or billets can come from limbs. Look for the straight limbs.
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