Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on February 24, 2017, 04:35:26 am
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Looks like some of you are keen to get on with it. Most bows are between 40 and 50 at 26 and R/h but not all.... please make sure you've signed up in the sign up thread. Names will be drawn out of a hat on March 11. Have fun everyone !
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Provisional rules
Names will be drawn from a hat so a completely random draw.
We all help everyone
Building or not, all participants must post something on this thread at least once a fortnight after March 17th. Participants not checking in will be contacted by pm. If participants disappear for a month this will be taken as a resignation and their victim reassigned.
Missing participants can rejoin as a reserve
Reserves have the right to build a bow at any time
Participants can build any number of bows but may only dispatch one to their victim
Bows must be the best the bowyer can make but must reach a minimum standard demonstrated by unstrung, braced and full draw photos
Any bow not safe (hinged, or fretted, for instance) can be sent to one of the reserves for adjudication
At the end of the trade any unused bows can be put into a random draw if the builder wishes. The draw will only be of contributors to that draw
Trade will conclude (bows dispatched by) Sept 29th
So what do you all think? Will be glad to modify them before we all get going
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Sounds great!
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Sounds good to me. It's looking like it may be a smaller trade this year, which might work out good.
Stuck, is there anyone who has signed up that is willing to ship overseas? I'd hate to see you organize this and not get a bow.
I'll be getting started on my bow in the next couple weeks. That's the plan anyway.
Tattoo Dave
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No-one has said they can't ship overseas yet and, last year, the trade offered crowd-funding if anyone needed help, so that option stands for this year if needed.
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There's one major element that I can't/won't sort out and that is the monthly draw for 'incentives' that happened last year. If you remember, Fred put up a few trade items and drew them out of a hat every now and then, but, I don't have his skill set or resources, and since I can't contribute I don't feel I can ask anyone else to either.
Small and friendly is no bad thing but it would be nice if we had another few participants. There is a week and a half left to sign up so I may get trampled in a last minute rush >:D
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Probably time we started using this thread. All participants have asked for right hand and nearly all are between 45 and 55 at 28" so if you want to get a head-start you shouldn't go too far wrong.
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Already did hehe I went for the highest poundage I could with a particular stave. Didn't want to be more than a 30lb bow though. Might try backing with boo if anyone wants to chime in.
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It's 3.5" around in the handle 66" long and about an inch across. I would like to hear some opinions on if I may back it. (may pike I saw a couple long draws so I comp. For that) I know it may not be a trade bow for my guy but I would be happy to gift it to anyone that doesn't receive! So I might as well make the most of it :laugh:
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Any photos?
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Yeah....also wondering about the knots..... if possible to back shape the bamboo around the knots or shave down the knots a bit?
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Never done a backed bow but they look nasty. Sinew might be a better option?
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I was hoping to 8n crease the poundage by a little bit. I know sinew would but I imagine boo would do more....what if I added sinew in with the glue then clamped on the boo?
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From my understanding a bamboo backing allows you to flatten the back. From a mechanical properties standpoint boo is more similar to sinew than most woods or even any backings for that matter. I've read de-crowning and boo backing often go hand in hand. I've never done it so consider this semi-reliable hearsay at best.
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A recent post on backing ipe also said the bottom laminate needed to be perfect or failure was inevitable, sorry
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From my understanding a bamboo backing allows you to flatten the back. From a mechanical properties standpoint boo is more similar to sinew than most woods or even any backings for that matter. I've read de-crowning and boo backing often go hand in hand. I've never done it so consider this semi-reliable hearsay at best.
Boo is LESS like sinew from a mechanical properties standpoint.
The double backing idea shows some lack of understanding of how a stack of laminates work. Whatever goes on last cancels out what's underneath unless you're just talking about cosmetic stuff.
I was hoping to 8n crease the poundage by a little bit. I know sinew would but I imagine boo would do more....what if I added sinew in with the glue then clamped on the boo?
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Haha never mind to all the above outta my league gonna just have to be a 30lb bow
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Swamp, I don't see that bow being a candidate for bamboo backing, not with those knots. I'd say maybe pike it an inch or two, and see what happens. Do you have it bending already, and how far? You have a pic at draw?
Tattoo Dave
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Nothing wrong with a 30 pounder, but a thorough heat treat will add between 3 and 5 pounds and improve cast at the same time
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It pulls to 30 with 1" of set so maybe pike it 2" and inch on each end huh?
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One inch off each end? Would that give you a 64" bow? I guess weight would be mid 30s, somewhere about 40 if you heat treat it, with a max draw length about 29" if the knots can take it
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I like the rules as you have written them. Can't wait to get my name and get started
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Pat, perhaps I've been misinformed or at the very least misinterpreted what I read . What backing would be a better choice for trying to mimic the effect of sinew? In this particular case the added draw weight was the top concern. Someone around here(who exactly it was slips my mind at the moment) had decent results adding flax fibers with hide glue. That might be a closer match I would think.
As far as the knots go, as long as the swirl in the grain was surrounded by straight grain(no run out) it could be de-crowned and backed, right? Or would it still have a failure in it's future?
See, I'm already learning stuff and the sign ups aren't even finished.
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Dakota, there really isn't anything out there that will act like sinew. Flax backings are great, but won't do the same thing sinew will. Flax won't shrink as it dries, thus won't induce any reflex. In this case, I think your best best to add draw weight is by piking it.
Tattoo Dave
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Hey S thing, I agree that that stave would not lend itself to any backing other than sinew very well, and that might not be a good option if left long due to physical weight of sinew. Silk of rawhide could help keep it together but may be hard to do due to lumpy back and needing to keep air bubbleles out frum under backing material. I'd leave it alone or pike it a little.
what kind of wood is that?
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Pecan a tree fell over and this branch was growing straight up. I doubted it would make a decent bow. It proved me wrong I just need to pike it and lighten the tips. Question the knots aren't very big could I fill them with glue and wood dust from the bow and fill it.
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Oops.....and then sinew on top of it?
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In case you miss the post on the sign up thread, you need to know that someone who wishes to remain anonymous has contacted one of the trade members to offer some incentives to be drawn every now and then. I don't know who and I don't know what but their kindness is a little overwhelming. So huge thanks to whoever you are for your kindness and generosity!
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Swamp, Is the bark still on that?
I did once decrown an erc and then drilled out some knots on the back, filled with dust and glue and also had dry sinew sticking out from the glue mix in little spider patterns that I figured would create a little bridge instead of a void in the back. I let em dry real good for a few days and then I glued them down just before applying the sinew backing. Bow is still lookin good today.
Very generous gesture. thanks to whoever you are!
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Haha it's on some of it been quite a pain to remove....and interesting I think I am going to try that.
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Of course, I can't really say if it mattered with all the work of the drill and sinew prep. The sinew backing probably would have done just as well with none of that spider of sinew business but I was trying to do something "new and unheard of" ::)
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Gonna be away from the PC for a few days so thought I'd give a little start to the madness :BB
Here's the top 3 I like for this build and trade.
ERC longbow (I think I see a nice section where the string is)
Mulberry billets and mulberry stave. Been hangin on to these for a few years for the right time.
I hope I know who's my vic once I get back :NN
If it was you, which one would you choose?
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Victims will be drawn over the weekend, you should all know who they are by Monday evening
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ERC and Mulberry are both woods i envy, however that heartwood om the ERC looks awsome. If i was the lucky draw i wouldn't mind either.
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That erc looks really nice
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I was gifted a hickory stave, an Osage stave, and some cane shoots yesterday. Now I need to decide which I'll use for the trade.
Thanks DBar. It was good meeting you.
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That Dbar is a good guy, good on you Dbar. Part of me really wants to get in this but I just got to much stuff I gotta do first. I'll be watching guys. I'm still sitting on the fence but I'm pretty sure I'm going to pass. I just don't think I'm gonna have the time to give this all I should.
Bjrogg
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Thanks DBar
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Your welcome Ron
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bjrogg,
Sure... you have enough time to play with that shiny new airbrush, but not build a bow. ::) ;D Six months is a long time. That must be one heck of a honey-do-list you have there.
Extra work doesn't feel like extra work when it's in the bow shop. Plus I wanna see what kind of finish work you can do with your new toy.
That was my attempt to get you to fall off that fence you're sitting on and land on the fun side.
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For anyone wobbling on the fence, just check out the bowyers signed up this year! You got until midnight Pacific time tonight to decide which way to jump. We'd love to have you join us!
TimothyR
Limbwalker
Greenriverwoodcraft
tattoo dave
Swamp Thang
upstatenybowyer
Dakota Kid
gfugal
Cabinetbowguy
Red Arrow
DuBois
Gaur
Bushboy
PatM
High Desert
Penderbender
Wizardgoat
Mo Coon catcher
reserves - ty in ND, stuckinthemud, redhand
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I can really feel you tugging there Dakota. It's tearing me up here. Problem is between real work ,hunny do list, bucket list, and promises from the the bow shop already I can see it getting real hard to get done.
Bjrogg
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bjrogg, just a thought, but, you could sign on as a reserve, that way, if you wanted to build a bow you could enter it into the reserves and extras random draw at the end of the trade, but, if you didn't get chance then you don't let anyone down
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It's okay bjrogg. Only you can decide how much is too much. I'd just hate to see you wishing you would have signed up after we're underway.
Then again, I suppose it would be equally unpleasant to watch you get over-worked, stressed out and have a melt down. It is intended to be an enjoyable experience after all.
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Got the yew tree cutting permit approved, so I'm for the day to snowshoe through the timber to find a tree. My victim doesn't have a choice but to receive a yew bow, it's all I have readily available.
Does anyone have preferences? Sapwood on it off?
Dubois, if it were me, I'd say ERC, it's a good lookin wood.
Eric
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If you take off the sapwood the heartwood would have to be backed - all heart-wood yew bows don't survive very long but backed yew bows can be wicked fast
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Haha I don't know way anyone wouldn't want to recieve a yew bow.
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[quote author=Dakota Kid link=topic=59831.msg836055#msg836055 date=1489757972
Then again, I suppose it would be equally unpleasant to watch you get over-worked, stressed out and have a melt down. It is intended to be an enjoyable experience after all.
[/quote]
That's what I'm worried about Dakota. I really feel the urge to say I'm in, but I know I've already got a lot of promises made and I do want to keep this fun. My spare time will be very slim before I know it. Sorry guys but I think I'd probably be wise to pass this one. Maybe next year I'll have these promise bows out of the way.
Bjrogg
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Got the yew tree cutting permit approved, so I'm for the day to snowshoe through the timber to find a tree. My victim doesn't have a choice but to receive a yew bow, it's all I have readily available.
Does anyone have preferences? Sapwood on it off?
Eric
The contrast between the sap and heart woods is one of yew's best qualities, both for performance and for aesthetics. You may have to remove some sapwood to get a good ratio though. You can look at just about any bow wizardgoat has ever posted to get an idea for what ratio you're shooting for. Chasing a ring is nearly impossible, but it's about the only wood where you can get away with violating rings. At least that's what Del says, and he's worked a lot of yew.
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Red Arrow, that's some nice wood you got there! That DBar must be a heck of a guy!
Glad to see a couple more in the trade :OK
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I've roughed out a bald cypress stave. Used the whole power washer method to remove the bark and all, now it's smooth as glass. Question once I get ready down the road to apply sinew should I scuff the back with sand paper before hand. I know it's jumping the gun but if I ask now one less thing to worry about. (=)
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Chasing a ring is extremely tedious but doable, and I only do it if sapwood isn't an option, or if it's being back, or damages to sapwood, which is pretty common. I've never seen failures from heartwood only bows. The only reason for this that make sense if people don't follow a growth ring and violate the rings indiscriminatly, but sapwood violations don't seem to be a problem at all.
Ive got one of my easiness yew staves picked out, as well as the 16 fresh staves my buddy helped me harvest today to replace my dwindling stash.
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Never yet shot a yew bow but hope to someday.
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There might be a few yew bows flying around this trade DuBois. You might get to shoot one yet. Cheers- Brendan
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For those living in areas where wild yew doesn't grow, keep your eyes open for the overgrown ornamental varieties. Every once and a while you can find one that has been neglected long enough that there is usable wood available. Often times if you offer free removal of the tree and stump the owner will take you up on it. If they seem hesitant, throw in the fact that it is highly toxic and that usually does the trick. I know of at least a half a dozen trees around my town I'd love to get my hands on. There's one in the cemetery that must have at least 15-20 trunks 4"-6" diameter mostly branch free. There's another in someone's yard that was never trimmed. It towers over their house and looks like a hemlock at first glance.
It also never hurts to leave your name with local landscapers and tree services. If they cut them down they usually chip and shred, so they are more than happy to see it put to use.
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Many of those are not even ornamental cultivars. They are just typical yew trees. Very common in Toronto.
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Yippee! Last two joined the trade at the last second and that makes 20 of us, including reserves. This is gonna be fantastic😁
Victims will be sent out by end of Monday, but, at least one person hasn't sent me draw length , weight, or hand.
Don't forget to pm me a postal address or you'll never get your bow though.
Ok everyone, time to post some photos of potential staves, and mugshots (not compulsory 😀 )
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This is great. That's quite a few last minute joins. I'm beyond excited about this who thing.
Eric
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Want to say a quick hello to Marlenmurdoch our newest Reserve! Welcome to the trade Marlen :D
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Best of luck guys on a smooth and happy trade.
Bjrogg
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glad to be part of this again.this will be my fifth year of the trade and I hope more to come.chances are my guy will receive an elm bow,any design preference guys?bush!
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Good luck guys . Have a great trade this year. This will be the first one I missed in awhile. They are alot of fun. I will be watching this one.
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Gonna be accepting reserves til a month before we finish. 😀 Just a thought...
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You should all have the name of your victim! If you don't, and I was interrupted a few times while sending all the PMs, you better let me know and I'll re-send it.
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I'M SO EXCITED!!!!
Questions
1. Where can I find glue for a sinew backing
2. What kind is the best
3. I pressure washed the back to remove the bark and what not should I rough it up with some sandpaper or leave it slick
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Hey Swamp Thang just curious how the pressure washer worked for you?
Bjrogg
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Oh, one more thing, its always a good idea to check the sign-up thread and make sure I sent you the right specs - you all got the right name but following a string of 18 names and specifications can be really confusing ;)
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Hey Swamp Thang just curious how the pressure washer worked for you?
Bjrogg
Great! Took about 6 bucks but we'll worth it I work a lot so anything to save time
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Isinglass, or gelatin from the food aisle in the local supermarket makes a good glue. Boiling down hooves and hide for a hide-glue is really good too. A super smooth surface is a bad idea, you will need to scuff it up to give the glue something to bite into
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Hey Swamp Thang just curious how the pressure washer worked for you?
Bjrogg
Great! Took about 6 bucks but we'll worth it I work a lot so anything to save time
Cool :OK
Bjrogg
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Okay when I am trying to do the no set tiller method how many pounds per inch right now it moves a lil more than 2 pounds per inch the jumps to 3 what is the general guide line
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What's the tiller look like? Have you got it to brace?
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Need to get the bottom out lumb bending a little more. Then it'll be ready
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What's the draw weight like? Have you put a long string on it yet?
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Yeah with an inch or two of slack 21 " is 32#
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So, headed for mid 40's weight? Think I'd perfect the tiller at brace first. If brace looks good, it doesn't usually look much different at full draw. Draw weight is reduced by reducing the width of the bow. When you start reducing width, draw weight tumbles down really quickly.
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Yeah 35 to 45# I'm adding a sinew backing so I wanna make sure I have room .
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Hi everyone. A few of you have pm me for their victim's addresses. Thing is, I can't give you what I haven't got 😀 No rush guys, we got 6 months but I'm only going to send them out when everyone has pm me their names and addresses, that way I won't miss anyone out.
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So.....learned a lesson yesterday.
Do not ever heat treat bald cypress
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Uh oh
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Share the lesson!
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Maybe he tried flexing the bow before it rehydrated?
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I'm guessing checks along belly?
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Nope. The wood becomes brittle and the rings separate when it's reworked. Steam is the only way to bend
Also the woods so soft any attempt to bend without proper padding will create serious dents
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I didn't want a Cypress bow anyway. >:D
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Your getting a chinese tallow bow hahaha ;D
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I dented my osage last year. Gotta cushion it. I guess it gets soft when clamping just like it does when bending.
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Del has a great method for removing clamp marks on Yew. Not sure how it works on other wood, but you heat up a spoon in boiling water then press the back against the dent to smooth it out. Worked like a charm!
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Localized steam works also.
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I'll be starting a variety of designs but all will be recurved and likely sinewed as well if everything pans out.
Main goal is a longer bow of basically Turkish shape with the same materials I used for the invitational last year. IPE, Hickory, sinew and Elm siyahs.
Also have some well cured Elm for additional experimenting.
Pics soon.
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Looking forward to this one!
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I'm debating between a short black locust bendy handle recurve with short sharp hooks, a blackwalnut flatbow, probably a deflex/reflex. or a black cherry elb. this one wouldn't be warbow weight, so should hold up fine. I've got plenty of time to decide before digging in. Anyone have opinions on what they would prefer to see? I might end up making a couple of the choices and keep one for myself.
Kyle
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Sooo. Be gentle this was my first time making a bow that's not a D bow.
I know the limbs aren't perfect I just wanted to take the cypress on a test run. Some how the limbs slightly face diff ways ::) but shooting it I am actually impressed with how forgiving I've shot different grain arrows and they all find their mark. I'll be adding sinew to the one for the trade what could I have done to perfect the tiller?
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Haha other than making sure the limbs face the same way!!!!
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So do we let whoever we have know or will is it all supossed to be a surprise.
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Surprise
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Think white elephant.
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Hey Swampie, hard to say for sure but it looks like maybe the upper fade and mid to outer limb and lower outer third of limb could bend a little more. Very unrefined guess though with one pic and not being there in person. It might be perfect depending on what it looks like unbrced and braced. Limb twist just happens-no big deal.
Yep, secret santa in spring kinda thing. SHHH
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Everyone has some fun idea.
Kyle, don't seem to see a lot of black walnut bows, that would be pretty cool see.
Eric
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Swamp, I agree with Dubois. Have you reached your desired draw and weight?
Eric
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Hey guys, MoCoonCatcher, I think you have a good thought. To have a few bows going and taking your time. That's what I'm doing. I like all your ideas and if you just go with it they will improve and morph into whatever it's supposed to be. Make your Cherry bow, if you feel it needs something else we have plenty of time to craft something unique to our individual brains.
I have five staves that are for this trade, as I work each one I am going to weed out a couple and finish a couple, in case one breaks or something. So far I am whittling down Hackberry, Norway Maple, Osage, Mulberry and Black Locust. Each of these staves are very nice and the wood is in excellent condition. I like a little character, but I'm shooting for durability, efficiency and accuracy. Nothing too fancy. Flip the tips maybe some deflex, that's about it. No fancy five curves for me. Though I will also be focused on a flowing design, I don't like ridged designs that much.
I have some ideas that I'm holding out on talking about for a bit. I'm not cutting in any arrow shelfs, I will bump out the wrap a little though. If it suits the performance. Oh make that six staves I forgot I also have an Eastern Redbud in the works, that's some nice looking wood there. Hope it holds up. Those are my thoughts at the moment, some of my designs include backings not all. Tomorrow I will post pictures of the staves. I wish everyone the best and hope people take time and it's ok to screw a few up before sending one out. I would hesitate to send the first bow I finish and regret it two months later when I improve my design and skill. Take a little time to sharpen your skills. I need to, I'm no pro at this and might asking you guys for help. Be well
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Kyle, man I though you was a back up? Look at ya getting after it. Right on! And I agree with Eric, Black walnut would be sweet.
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Hey Swampie, hard to say for sure but it looks like maybe the upper fade and mid to outer limb and lower outer third of limb could bend a little more. Very unrefined guess though with one pic and not being there in person. It might be perfect depending on what it looks like unbrced and braced. Limb twist just happens-no big deal.
Yep, secret santa in spring kinda thing. SHHH
It's so hard to say because the twist...however I'll take twist with the snappy and soft release it has.
I plan one taking the whole time on my next three bows
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Originally I was, but my doctor said I'll be back toy normal self by June/July. If by earlier. So I've got plenty of time to get a nice bow shooting and dolled up. So I'm in the trade. I'm excited to be able to get started and to see what people start turning out.
Kyle
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So I'm thinking a self bow of yew, oceanspray, plum, hazel or juniper. Probably an elb design, maybe a d bow. I have lots of dry staves/ roughed out bows to choose from. Let me know what you guys think. Cheers- Brendan
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As for me I'm game for anything. Would be could if it was a short bow but def. Won't be disappointed no matter what I get. So let's get to :BB
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So this is what I have planned. The first picture is of the juniper I harvested (and gave a blood sacrifice too), and the second is some honey locust I got from springbuck (the crack doesn't go deep and is closer to the belly side, should rasp away). I plan on doing a similar design for both. I'm going to splice the two billets together at the handle. I'm also playing with they Idea of inducing about 2 inches of deflex when I splice them. I'm also thinking of splicing some siyahs on the tips to extend the length and help with string angle and provide an earlier draw weight since I plan on deflexing the handle a bit. I plan on baking the juniper with sinew and the honey locust with linen, and wrapping the siyahs on both with linen. If one breaks hopefully the other will prevail. If they both live I get to keep one >:D. I'm looking forward to it. First time I've ever done splicing so I'm a little nervous but I've been reading up about it quite a bit. Do any of you have a preference for either of them (like if sinew won't hold up in your area or something due to humidity)? I'm planning on the juniper being about 60 inches in length (its 31 inches to that giant knot on the right limb) with a width > 2" on the working limb before the siyah splice. The locust will be bit longer and about 1.75 inch wide. The splice will add several inches in length to both.
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Im a huge fan of short bows, 52" - 60". What are your guys preferences? Length and design?
Brendan, I know I'd be happy with any of those woods, although for me, the I'd prefer ocean spray, plum or hazel, only because juniper and yew are the two woods I have no shortage of.
Eric
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Good looking staves Greg.
Eric, I'm a big fan of the short bows also. I need to get some pics posted soon of what I have in the works. It'll be a shortish bow.
Tattoo Dave
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Brendan, they all sound great but for some reason juniper or OS sound best. Maybe cause I never touched the stuff yet (except for ERC)
I am also a fan of shorties but sometimes sure is nice shooting a longer bow too.
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I have a bunch of really nice hickory and a little elm worthy of this task and I've got a few bows in process as we speak. Ill mostlikely flip the tips a bit and finish with a mahi or cod skin back but keep it pretty primitive looking
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That sounds cool greenriver. I was wondering about halibut skins? Will any fish skins work? Cheers- Brendan
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I was thinking of using Gar lol
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If you can get the skin cleaned and degreased, it'll work for a backing. The gar will look awesome. I can see it being difficult to work, but definitely doable.
I'm planning on using my ball python sheds myself to add a little texture to the bow. Those little buggers are starting to get a little size to them now. I wish my Sumatran short tail was larger so I could use her shed, but she's a little small. Think of how these noodles will look on a bow. Not sure if I could do it when they pass on, but it would look awesome. Here's the group, though the Sumatran will be more like a suasage than a noodle when she's an adult, short and thick, 3-4' long but 4-6" wide. She's the Orange head, dark body with a busy pattern.
Sorry if I freaked out anyone with the pics. Can't pass up an opportunity to show them off a little.
Kyle
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There's a lot of great ideas here, I'm going to have to take this build slow to avoid getting ahead of myself just in case more great ideas pop up. I can see why some plan on making several bow for the trade, to get just to get the right one.
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Kyle those are some beautiful snakes. When I was I trade school I had a couple tarantulas and I little bull snake. It's so cool when they shed. I still can't figure out how the tarantulas did it. I'd wake up in the morning and it would look like another tarantula in there. One standing there looking a little old and faded, the other bright and shiny new.
Bjrogg
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Hey Brendan I assume any fish skin will work if you can get rid of the oils and the skins are substantial enough. I soak them water with dawn dish soap and then scrub the hell out of it. By rubbing it scale side to scale side you can remove the scales and remove the oils at the same time. It's worked great for me thus far and I like snakes to much to justify killing them for their skins but when I use fish skins I know the fish were dead anyway and I'm just using something that was destined for the trash can. Please do not take this as a judgement of anyone using snake skins! I do use them on occasion but I prefer using fish since I know I'm helping use up the entire animal that died not allowing any of it go to waste.
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Who doesn't eat the snake when they kill one? It's good meat. I kills snakes for the skin, and the meat is just an added bonus. Kind of the opposite of fish.
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I had it once and yeah it's not bad high desert. I'd buy skins from you if I ever need some
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Thanks Greenriver! I think halibut belly skin would look great on yew, as it's very white. Also the back skin is mottled browns and would be cool for camo. Could get quite a few backings from one fish. What do you do after skinning? Thanks- Brendan
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If it were me I would wash them in warm water with dawn soap until they were free of oil and then tack them to a board scales down to dry. Then you could decide where to cut for strips. I only done one fish skin though so might be a better way. does halibut have much for scales?
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Thanks DuBois. They have very, very small scales. Is that good or bad? Cheers- Brendan
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So, I have some really stupid questions about fish skins - first, how do you skin a fish? Second, I'm guessing a bought fish from a fish-monger is OK so having been frozen and defrosted doesn't matter? and how big of a fish for one backing? Oh, do the colours in the skin change after skinning? Also, fish-skin is see-through so do you paint the bow first? Oh, oh, does the glue need to be waterproof or does the skin seal the bow, or do you need to varnish over the skin to stop it going moldy?
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Not stupid at all skinning a fish is very simple but all fish are not the same all deer have fur, so does that mean all things with fur are deer?
One fish may have thing skin while another would have extremely thick skin. The skinning I find is best when the fish is whole makes things easier for myself. Simply use a spoon to scrape off the scales and cut around the fins and down the back bone should already be gutted then pull off. Treat it like your tanning and scrap the flesh side not to much just enough to remove any left overs. As far as frozen all depends on if they got damaged typically I wouldn't think it would bother it you might try a test run
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Found a little gem piece of English bog oak.should make some cool tip overlays
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Here's what I'm working on. 1" wide 70" long. Going with a simple eastern woodland D bow, bend through the handle. What is y'all's opinion of painting a king snake pattern or something like that on the back? I may just end up leaving it Osage. It will be simple though. I'm going to be moving to northern Idaho in a few weeks, I want to be able to get it done fairly quickly.
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Plain Osage would look good of course, but adding a bit of your personal artwork to it really would add a nice look.
Eric
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I love eastern woodland type of bendys. Osage is nice. Maybe a simple eastern woodlands art design? Cheers- Brendan
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Quick question......I have never backed a bow. I have some sinew and gelatin unflavored of course and a bow to use it on. Could I back the bow and remove it if the bow doesn't perform as desired and reuse it?
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That's the nice thing about that type of glue, easy to put on, easy to take off, easy to reuse
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Reuse the sinew? That may be a lot of work. More so than stripping out more sinew. But I've never tried it.
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No. Re-using sinew is easily done. Soak and rinse in very warm water.
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Thanks I didn't think it would be a big deal
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To add to Swamp's comment about fish skins if I am getting them from a fish market the are already off the fish and thus its not as easy to descale them without damaging the skin. I find that scrubbing them in soapy water to remove the oils helps loosen the scales and it also can ball up or loosen any flesh left on the inside, its easier to deal with both problems this way. Also I have frozen fish skins with no issue before, it does not seem to have any effect on then finished product.
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PatM, that is good to know. I've never tried it, it just seems like a daunting task. Do you rehydrate and use that way or is it easily dried and reused?
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Kinda looks like a banana! Got some bendin to do Tim but I believe in you. I would really like paint/artwork if it were me.
Hey Thing, I have reused sinew once and it comes off easy but can get messy too. If you put it on a bow and change your mind, I wouldn't expect to be salvaging the wood part of the bow, just the sinew.
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The only bow I reclaimed the sinew from wasn't damaged at all by removing the sinew. I just let it soak until it all wanted to come off. I had to wait for the wood to dry out, but it survived. Maybe that isn't the norm and I just had some beginner's luck.
I'm a few days out from having something worthy of photographing and posting. I have 3 in the works at the moment. There's a 3 piece take down recurve, a yet undecided rock elm stave, and a fairly snakey pyramid-ish american elm. I also recently harvested some of the cleanest crab apple I've ever found. It won't be dry anytime soon, but will be before the trade is done. If the other 3 don't cooperate, the apple should be good by the time it takes me to ruin those. :laugh:
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Wow I'm learning more from this trade than I have since I became a member.
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The only bow I reclaimed the sinew from wasn't damaged at all by removing the sinew. I just let it soak until it all wanted to come off. I had to wait for the wood to dry out, but it survived. Maybe that isn't the norm and I just had some beginner's luck.
I'm a few days out from having something worthy of photographing and posting. I have 3 in the works at the moment. There's a 3 piece take down recurve, a yet undecided rock elm stave, and a fairly snakey pyramid-ish american elm. I also recently harvested some of the cleanest crab apple I've ever found. It won't be dry anytime soon, but will be before the trade is done. If the other 3 don't cooperate, the apple should be good by the time it takes me to ruin those. :laugh:
It's definitely still pretty easy to remove it without damaging the wood but most sinew re-claiming projects are because the wood has failed in some way already. If the belly is damaged you can greatly speed up the removal by just breaking the bow deliberately by bending it backward and splitting as much wood as posssible away from the backing.
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How do i know when it's cured? I've read how some wrap in silk till it dries
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Dependent somewhat on humidity and how thick you put it on. Some people wait several months to even years and I guess it probably does continue to cure to some extent, but I give it a month or more inside with controlled environment. It will always wax and wane a little with the humidity of the seasons I am told, but never really checked or noticed it much myself.
Did I miss something? Is Fred Arnold Ok? Haven't seen anything from him and I got a bad feeling this was a memorial bow trade. I'm wrong right?
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Started into this stave after I saw but tracks on the ERC >:(
Was considering turning them into billets at first but I think the longer one will work out.
Getting her straight enough for a bendy handle. Got the twist and the side to side correction in one shot ;D
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Got one tip where I want it at least :OK
Bottom is what it started like
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[quote author=DuBois link=topic=59831.msg837846#msg837846 date=1490645603
Did I miss something? Is Fred Arnold Ok? Haven't seen anything from him and I got a bad feeling this was a memorial bow trade. I'm wrong right?
[/quote]
Sadly it is a memorial.
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Aww man, that stinks. I'm a little behind on things and slow on the uptake. Now it makes more sense that it is in his honor.
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So someone is probably going to get one of these. Got these semi roughed out. Left to right yew, oceanspray, plum, hazel. Elb's/ bendy D-bows. Sorry for the bad quality pics. Still haven't figured out photo bucket. Cheers- Brendan
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Great start to this bow trade.
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I agree. What you workin on Marlen? You might as well just get after it-you odn't think you'll really be able to just sit by and watch as a reserve do ya?
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Well that was the plan. Lol. I have a couple in the works I have a juniper I sinew backed and a few elm staves I'm working on.
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Just messin with ya. But seriously, one of your bows would be a great surprise for somebody.
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Another question on the fish skins wait untill the sinew dries correct? Also what kind of glue do I use for the skins same as the sinew?
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Definitely yes, and yes if you want.
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I'd wait to apply the skins until you have the bow shooting. You can alway put them on early. But your run the risk of damaging them in the tillering and shaping process. Or having to peel them off if the bow fails or doesn't come out to your standards. Which sometimes the piece of wood just doesn't want to shoot as well as you'd like, even with decent tiller and proper specs. I havmt done many ainew backed bows. But TB3 does bond and will give a waterproof layer over the sinew. I plan to use that with some turkey feathers to cover sinew on a bow I have drying.
Kyle
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Anybody working on their trade bows?
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I am but I had a bunch of other bows in process that need to get finished before I can really dive in.
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I am, split down a laurel stave last night, split didn't work out the way I planned, now I'm not sure what style to go with - maybe a gull-wing - I like a challenge ;)
If they're long enough, 5-curve bows don't have to be sinewed do they?
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I picked up a hickory stave wide enough for 2 bows and an Osage stave from Danzn Bar a couple weeks ago on my way to my kids house. While I was there I also collected a couple ERC and oak staves, and now that I'm home I've been splitting some walnut staves, more oak staves, and (possibly) ash staves. Some of them have been down and seasoning for awhile but some are green cut. Now I just need to pick the best staves to start with, decide on a bow style, and start on it this weekend.
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Steamed the other tip and got it bent. Pics later.
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This is Plan A - need many opinions please, including "oh no don't do it". Prunus Lauracasus (common laurel) - an excellent bow-wood, but this stave has issues. The kink is at the arrow pass; the stave is currently 66" long, there is a pair of nasty knots in the centre of the longer limb. Limbs are moderately high crowned, 1.5" wide at the fades and 3/4" thick with several significant knots in each. Moisture content is high even though it has been cut more than 6 months. The shape sort of suggests a 5-curve.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/win_20170401_15_45_17_pro-e1491058583840.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/win_20170401_15_45_36_pro-e1491058529699.jpg)
Apologies for the poor photos. Probably should mention the one limb has a 1.5" out and back sideways curve although the tips and handle do line up. The stave is moving a little but is massively over weight
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It's probably doable, but sounds like a lot of issues.
Tattoo Dave
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Got the juniper logs worked down into four billets. The two on the right are wider (about two and a half inches) and better quality. I’ll be making the trade bow from these. They are about 33 inches each. The other two are less favorable and have some issues. one has a crack (see topic crack parallel to handle). However, they are longer (about 37” each) but narrower (one and a half inches). I still have to take the bark off on half of the billets. Do you think It would be better to leave it on or should I take it off as soon as possible?
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This is Plan A - need many opinions please, including "oh no don't do it". Prunus Lauracasus (common laurel) - an excellent bow-wood, but this stave has issues. The kink is at the arrow pass; the stave is currently 66" long, there is a pair of nasty knots in the centre of the longer limb. Limbs are moderately high crowned, 1.5" wide at the fades and 3/4" thick with several significant knots in each. Moisture content is high even though it has been cut more than 6 months. The shape sort of suggests a 5-curve.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/win_20170401_15_45_17_pro-e1491058583840.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/win_20170401_15_45_36_pro-e1491058529699.jpg)
Apologies for the poor photos. Probably should mention the one limb has a 1.5" out and back sideways curve although the tips and handle do line up. The stave is moving a little but is massively over weight
It definitely would be a challenge. considering how thin it is it would probably be best to keep the entire length with minimal recurve and reflex if you were planning on doing that. I'm thinking more of a charactered American long bow style. And considering it's thickness probably bendy handle. The fact the kink is still in the handle area is a plus. You don't have a lot of width to accommodate for those knots but is still doable I would imagine.
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G-Is the bark coming off easy? If so, I would probably go ahead and get it all off and seal the back since it isn't that old yet it could still get checks I would think.
The bark color on those looks really different on 2 of the 4. Why is that?
Hey Stuck, Looks pretty good other than the kink and I would think that could be corrected. Don't know much on Laurel wood but I would think you could go a lot of ways with that stick besides 5 curve. Does Laurel tolerate knots well?
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G-Is the bark coming off easy? If so, I would probably go ahead and get it all off and seal the back since it isn't that old yet it could still get checks I would think.
The bark color on those looks really different on 2 of the 4. Why is that?
It might have been if I did it when I first cut it down but now I have to scrape at it for quite a while with a knife. The other two already have the bark off, that's why they look whiteish. You suggest painting the back too to prevent checking? Would I have to do that for the other two if I leave the bark on?
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I can't remember exactly when you cut that log but wasn't it a few weeks back? I have never had juniper except erc and mine got bug damage with the bark on. When I got the bark off and sealed them in the past there was no problems.
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Laurel tolerates knots pretty well, I think. The one limb is naturally deflexed, the other is straight, the reflex is all in the handle
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I just have to pick a stave and get after it. Most are ash, there's a few sassafras in there though.
Tattoo Dave
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I just have to pick a stave and get after it. Most are ash, there's a few sassafras in there though.
Tattoo Dave
Have you made any sassafras bows yet? I've always been curious how it will do, according to its wood data it suggests it would be pretty elastic in compression, although not that stiff. Kinda like juniper. I would love a sassafras bow since I'm also into brewing my own root beer.
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I'm tinkering a sassafras bow right now it's seems really nice so far. I backed it with an artificial cloth snakeskin because I don't totally trust it because it's just so damn light but it's proving itself to be nice the more I work with it
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Greg, I have not worked any sassafras bows yet. Maybe a recipe posted in the food thread for that home brewed root beer in the future, hint hint... ;)
Green river, keep us posted on how it goes. Seems like I've seen a few bows made from it in the past, but don't remember.
Tattoo dave
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Greg, I have not worked any sassafras bows yet. Maybe a recipe posted in the food thread for that home brewed root beer in the future, hint hint... ;)
Green river, keep us posted on how it goes. Seems like I've seen a few bows made from it in the past, but don't remember.
Tattoo dave
Once I perfect it I'll make sure to share it with yall, since you've all been so generous with your knowledge. It's starting to taste pretty good (-P
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I make sassafras tea from the trees behind my house. Now, I guess I'll have to try a sassafras bow as well.
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The problem I found with sassafras is it tends to courtscrew like mad as it dries. I've only cut a few trees but it seemed to be a common theme even though the trees split very straight. I think next time I'll rough them out and clap them to a form while they are still green to try to head this problem off at the pass. The good thing is I have a ton of them on my land
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Wow Dave, you got some nice ash!
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Here's what I got so far.
Straightened and slightly flipped tips on #1.
My ERC had bug damage so I gave up on that.
Pulled out the other ERC that I sinewed up a couple weeks back >:D It is a backwards branch bow so it will get into more heartwood as I tiller.
Got a couple bows from last years trade that I never finished as well. Is that cheating? Well they are just in case is all ;)
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That's looking pretty sweet. I like the straight profile with the flipped tips. Cheers- Brendan
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Sassafras leaves dried up and powdered make gumbo filet
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Thanks Brendan, it took a few session to get there.
The ERC was just a little reflexed at the start and I didn't tie it into any after sinew. It has definitely gained some. It does have a few small cracks lengthwise from sinew pulling edges up and inwards but I don't think it will mess it up. I'll give it a while longer and then try some SG and clamps before proceeding.
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hey guys, sorry I've been away on vacation and a little absent from this thread. I'll be starting my guys bow soon, just busting into some 2 year old yew, ready for bending soon
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Hey hey hey now fellas,
Can't be having no page 2 action on this little trade now can we?
For some reason I just had to grab this lilac that has been in the rafters for a couple years now and turned into a banana. Could be a nice r/d if I can get it bent around. Stayed straight as can be but curled around on itself. I had reduced it down and shellaced the back and it checked only down the middle belly and that stops perfectly at the pith :laugh:
We'll see how steam does on this baby
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What's up Ryan? That baby keepin you up at night? (A) :P Lookin forward to seeing your yew in progress man.
And yes, I got back in the kitchen!
Well it seems to like steam so far.
Do you guys ever do bendy handle r/d bows? I'm considering it for this if all goes well.
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Wow that moved a ways. That'll look way better with the other limb matched up! Cheers- Brendan
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Yep Brendan, I started with the worst limb first in hopes I could match em up. Gonna let it sit overnight and try the other in am.
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Got my profile down, and done some straightening. 69"x 1".
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So long story short got tires changed kept two well they threw the tires on my back seat where my bow for the trade was and put a hole in the back question is should I get it close to floor tiller and then fill in the hole and sinew then bring to final tiller?
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Hard to say. Pics would help. If you can't make it to brace height without sinew then I would question the worthiness of the stave.
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I'll try to get a pic of it but it's pretty small I'll go ahead and work on it should I fill it first or just run with it
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Hey guys I was just wondering, I know we've got 5 months or so to send our bows out, but when it's ready can we send it before that? And if so, when we receive our bow do we post pics right away, or are we waiting 5 months to all post pics together?
Thanks!
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Pretty sure we gotta wait til the deadline. Cheers- Brendan
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I also have questions about finishing (not that I'm anywhere close to being done). Do we need to make strings and arrows for the bow and ship those out? I wouldn't mind one bit but I know some people prefer stings a certain way and out of certain materials and arrow weights and spined to their liking too.
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As far as I know we're following the rules from last year, and last years trade went like this:
When you're ready to ship, talk to the boss(that would be Stuckinthemud this year). If he feels your victim is showing enough progress to suspect he'll finish his bow on time, he gives you the green light to ship. This seemed to work fine with only one exception.
We posted pics of the bow we received as soon as it arrived. Some posted pics of their victims bow just prior to shipping, some kept the exact look of the finished bow more of a surprise.
All the bows last year were shipped with a string, no arrows that I recall but you certain could if you want. Although most at least mentioned what type of arrows the bow seemed to shoot best.
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That's pretty much spot-on, except to remind everyone that pics MUST be posted before the bow is made all pretty-like (no exceptions, even for the most respected builders) so we can confirm the standard of construction and tiller is up to scratch. Besides, this is meant to be like 21 build-alongs so everyone can learn a ton of stuff and hopefully we will all be posting build pictures regularly. Decorations and finishes can be kept as secret as you like. The bow and string are all that are required, if you feel the need to go beyond (bow-sock, carry- case, arrows, whatever) that's entirely up to you ;)
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Spring is a busy time,gonna get started pretty quick,i have a nice white elm stave picked out.
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My buddy got a yew permit for me for making him a bow. So we spent the day looking and found the best yew tree I have ever seen. Right at legal
Diameter, we were able to split into sixths, then one of those in half, and got 13 perfect straight usable staves, all 72" long, some with knots that will add some character, others perfectly clean. But somewhere in this pile is my guys bow, I'll start roughing it out this weekend and get'r drying while I start another from a seasoned stave.....just in case it doesn't dry fast enough.
Eric
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Eric, I've never had good luck splitting yew logs off the stump.
Pretty sure they've warped every time. I hope yours turn out better,
not sure if I've ever seen such a clean yew log produce so many split staves.
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I have had that problem with small diameter trees where I spilt than in half, but the more splits I get out of them, I seem to have less problems. Halves are the worst, quarters less so of a problem, and we'll see on these sixths. Trees that are leaning are a whole other story, them seem to twist and warp much worse even when splitting perpendicular to their lean. With the slight warping I have got with the halves, it was nothing that wasn't fixable with a little heat treating.
Eric
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Woe Man!
That s an amazing bunch of staves!
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How you lilac me now?
She's come a long way baby!
61" total.
Really like this wood!
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Eric that's some nice looking yew. I too usually wait 6 months or so, sometimes more before I split yew. I haven't split much over 6" diameter though.
DuBois I'm really liking what you have done to that lilac stick. Shaping up nice. Cheers- Brendan
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Here is a picture of the density of the growth rings in the hickory staves I'm working on for the trade bow. I'm thinking a 66 inch flatty with slightly flipped tips. I like small recurves better than extreme recurves personally. I have made a few bows from this tree and it really nice to work with. Straight staves when split that dry into a pretty significant reflex and zero propeller twist on any of it. Seriously good stuff and the best part is I cut the tree down 50 yards from the back door from my house.
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Nice pile of yew. That lilac bow looks sweet!! Can't wait to see that one get finished up.
Tattoo Dave
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That lilac is coming along nice. Ive only heard good things about lilac, so Im looking forward to seeing it complete.
Now you guys have me a bit nervous about splitting the yew. I've always done it that way, and havent had any issues, I hope I didn't jinks myself by saying that.....
I figure it will make a bow either way, might just be a bit more work.
Eric
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I'm sure they will be fine Eric. I wouldn't worry about it. You still have 13 nice staves haha.
Greenriver that's some nice looking wood. Cheers- Brendan
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I finally got started on a walnut stave. I'm not sure of the length but it's about 6' long at the moment. It has some nice fun roller coastering going on for a side profile, but it's atleast even. With a sort of 5 curve thing going on, with some snaking to go with it. Though it might become a gullwing knce it's trimmed to length. I think I'll leace it natural when I tiller it out. I worked on gettin. A ring chased to get a thib sapwood layer over heart wood and to get rid of bug holes. But there are still several left. So I might run out of sapwood by the time the holes are gone. Oh well, not a big deal.
Kyle
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High Desert, That pile of logs is a thing to envy. If you get bored workin all that yew and want to trade out for a white wood or BL let me know.
I have one good bend in my elm bow left to straighten which will probably call for stream, then I'll get a pic up. I keep saying well after this next adjustment I'll post, well maybe one more. I have the limbs for the 3 piece take down underway as well. I prefer working with hand tools so the planing will take a while, but I'll include some pics regardless .
Kyle, I'm liking that walnut. I made a board bow for my old man out of walnut and have been wanting to get my hands on a stave to try. There's some really neat design potential with the contrasting colors. Have you ever seen this bow? One of my top favorites of all time from this site.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,38882.0.html
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I wish I would've seen that bow before I started removing sapwood. I'm liking the look of those thorns.
But I got it roughed out, I still have to clean up the front profile lines. Once I do it'l be 1 3/4" wide till mid limb. There's a lot of fun stuff going on with this one. I was able to get it so thall all but one big hole will be removed by the time I clean up the lines and round the corners. The last one will rl most be gone. It's 8-9" below the nock, so hopefully it'll be under strained and holed. It's on the last ring where most of the color shift happens. So it aughta look great. But even with all the wonky bends going on, both tips are inline with the back and the string should line up with the edge of the handle. So might need just a little tweak of the handle with some steam. There's some back and forth prop twisting where he tips and handle are on the same plane. So who knows what thatll do to the string alignmebt until I brace it up.
I hoped guy likes character bows, cuz this will definitely be one.
Kyle
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That's looking good Kyle! I'm really liking the color of that walnut. This is my first trade, and it's pretty cool getting to see everything get made. This is gonna be fun! Cheers- Brendan
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Hey guys,
Sorry I haven't been paying enough attention to this thread. I didn't realize we were supposed to post pics of the progress... makes sense.
So here's what I'm working on for my victim...
Yew 5 curve
63" long
Giving just a little in the handle at full draw
50-60#
rawhide backed
I've got it roughed out and I just set back the handle with steam. I'm starting at 1" thick in the handle tapering to 5/8" thick at the tips, with the width at 1 1/2" at the handle running parallel to mid-limb. For now the width tapers to 1" at the tips cause I'm planning on steaming in some big curves at the tips. They'll be much less wide at the end. All is well so far!
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Everything's looking really good.
Glad to see the pace is pickin up just a little.
Hey Kyle, I like that walnut just fine without the horns buddy.
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I been trying every trick I know to get the laurel to heat-bend - I dry heated it till I nearly scorched it - nothing: steamed it for a half hour, no way would it bend - heck it was still only warm to the touch! Gonna boil it and if that don't work, I'm cutting into Plan B!
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Did you use any oil on it when dry heating? Not sure but it may help absorb the heat better. I don't know anything about laurel though.
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Remember his laurel is not a laurel at all. More like a plum or cherry.
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Hey guys haven't checked in I've had a gnarly cold running fever the whole 9 yards yall see me this weekend!
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Wife out for the evening, laurel steamed for hour, left/right bend all gone. So, how far should I set back the handle?
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Hello all, I must apologise for my absence. More time has gone by than I realised; well my grandfather died a few weeks ago and it took me by complete surprise. Everything came to a halt as I headed off to Texas to say goodbye and visit with family. I was close with him and though I wasn't ready for his passing, that is how life goes. I spent my Summer's in New England with him as a child and he taught me how to steer a canoe and shoot a gun, you know, the good stuff. Anyway I'm back into my routine and am home now. I have a couple bows I'm working on for his trade. I kind of forgot about everything at first, but realise now I maybe should have given you all a heads up. There is some real neat stuff going on here, as usual, take care.
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Sorry for your loss limbwalker.my best seasoned elm received some mildew damage a couple of years ago so I took it down a ring revealing a nice yellow one.this ring passed the bend test brilliantly! I cut the shape out and reduced it consideralby .gonna let it sit for a couple days before proceeding.
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Hey Bushy, lookin forward to the elm progress. I've never done a elm bow.
Sorry to hear about your grandpa. Sounds like he lived well and left a good legacy.
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I got it cleaned up and thinned down. I've gotta do a little tweaking of the string alignment. But it's close enough to start tillering. And here is the first bend in the long string. It's not bad but still very stiff only pulling to about 15" at 50#. But it doesn't seem to be flexing much in the inner 1/3. I'm going to do some scrapung on the inners to get them bending noticably and do a total limb scraping to get it moving a bit further. I want it 50# at 20" before I low brace then quickly jump to full brace. So I want it bending more in the inner kimbs while on ye long string. So when I brace it up and ye bend shifts it will be close to how it should be. That way it'll be close to full draw when I get it braced for lower stress. I have the profile traced on that 2x to track the set. This one will be fun. There is avout 1" of difference in the forward tip alignment.
Kyle
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I measured and it was only pulling 11-12" initially. But I got it to 18" on a 1" braces longstring. And now I've got family stuff to do so Ivgurss in done for the weekend. But it has no temporary set yet at that pull. It's not much stress yet, but Atleast a good sign with t being walnut. I Just rasped and scraped the limbs again without checking. So next time Ill check it and probably do oneore limb weakening before I brace it up fully. As long as it looks good.
Kyle
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Lookin' good so far Mo_coon. Those whoop-de-doos make it hard to tiller. It's awesome that you've taken on such a challenging stave. Just go slow and you'll nail it. ;)
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I don't think I know how to go slow anymore. Though this one is slowing me down a bit to stop and think about what's going on.
I've got it back to 20" at 50# with a 5.25" brace. Right now it has 1/2" of set immediately after unstringing. The set is only in the mid limb. It drops down to 1/4" after a couple minutes. The pics are it at brace and at 20", yhen if you can zoom in enough its up against its initial online. I think it's going well. Tomorrow when I work on it im going to do another weight drop scrape. Which is rasping an even amount of scratches across the limb then scraping them clean. It's gaining me about 1" each time I do it. Though it'll probably go quicker now. Then I'll heat treat before carrying on, before any real amount of set kicks in. Since I don't think I can copy this profile to pull it back out a bit.
Kyle
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Kyle, that is coming along nicely. That one limb sure looks tricky. Good luck with.
Mike
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I'm chipping away but can't currently post pics so......trust me. ;)
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Working on steaming the handle to get the string centered up. I coated the wood with veggy oil, then wet paper towels, and coated it on foil. I had to show the colors of the oiled wood whil I'm at it.
Kyle
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I'm working on a batch of yew bows at the moment. Unsure which one my guy will get, but I'm fairly certain it's gonna be a heavy one.
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That walnut looks great kyle. I like heavy bows goat! Haha cheers- Brendan
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Working on steaming the handle to get the string centered up. I coated the wood with veggy oil, then wet paper towels, and coated it on foil. I had to show the colors of the oiled wood whil I'm at it.
Kyle
How do you know if you are over-heating the wood beneath the foil?
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I don't for sure. But as long as there is steam coming out of the ends, then it shouldn't burn. It's not a sealed container to make the pressure rose any appreciable amount. So the water that's in direct contact with the wood should be boiling temperature, with the steam being a bit above that. So as long as the paper towels stay wet, the wood won't burn. I've done this a few times with good luck. I can put the heat gun almost on the foil for 30-40 minutes and not burn the wood underneath. If you remove the foil and towel while it's still hot, the towel will dry almost immediately from steaming.
I'll find out this evening if the steaming and bending held. I was able to move the tips a little under 1/2". So between that and the handle moving a little, ye string will hopefully line up with the handle. It should be close enough I can fine tune with the nocks. I left the tips about 7/8" wide.
Kyle
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It sounded a bit iffy to me when I first heard of it but quite a few have used it with success. I don't know of any failures but maybe they're shy ;)
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Watching with interest, the laurel is such a pain to get to bend, I'll try anything
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I think you should try it. Coat the wood well so it doesn't soak up water and crack, make the rag as wet as possible without dripping, wrap it well with foil to hold as much of the steam as possible. Then you can directly apply the heat for an hour without hurting anything, it should be plenty hot enough through to bend properly and stay where you put it. I've done entire limbs like this and it works well for that too.
Kyle
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I got my source to save gar scales for me another guy looking for some long gar skin my bows roughed out the other one is tiller ed just have to sand and add some character maybe flip the tips a tad and sinew! I'm so excited!
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So, here's the laurel ready for the next steaming session. Bark is stripped, limbs are moving about 4", tips are 3/4 wide for the moment. Inner third is 1 1/16 .
I've cut the end of the straight limb out of the photo; looks a lot like Kyle's but with no colour, don't cha think?
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/win_20170418_17_15_41_pro-e1492533418482.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/win_20170418_17_15_54_pro-e1492533307840.jpg)
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Stuck, that does have a similar profile to the walnit im working. I bet you'll get good shooter out of it.
I got the walnut pulled back to 25" today. At the moment it's sitting at about 5/8" of set. Which I don't think is too bad for this stage of the game. The steamibg did its job well. The string now lines up through te center of the handle. Though I did crush a good don't in the side of it. I'll try to steam out as much as I can before I shape out the handle. I'm glad the big holes are holding well. I have soaked yhem in super glue a couple ones to make sure they're well saturated. At this stage they have become exposed on the belly side too. I'm going to take it to ahooting and shoot it in to make sure the holes don't open up or ease a splinter before I put some reinforcement wraps around them. But even with 7/8" tips it feels good on the hand with decent speed and not much thump. And I expect it to get better once at full draw and with the tips worked down to 3/8".
Kyle
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One of the neighbours has had some tree surgeons clear their yard and they've let me have the hardwood. After work I picked Up the timber which is bright orange in colour . No, its not Osage. Any ideas? The neighbours dont know what It is as the plot has been more like a jungle for years
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Stuck...that would be red mullberry..... Brian
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Ooooh, Turkish horn bow one step closer
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Black locust is fairly orange or yellow or somewhere in between. If it has thorns and deeply fissured bark it's locust.
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Before he'd felled it the TS thought it might be damson, but the timber would be purple if that were true. So going with a fruit tree, it could be mulberry. The bark is similar to cherry on the young branches but more grainy on the main stem, its not fissured bark. Hopefully the TS will be back next week as I didn't get his number
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I would never trust a surgeon who is not sure before he starts cutting. ;)
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I feel like mesquite compliments walnut well. Before I can shoot it in I need to steam out some clamping dints on the limbs. I used some pine blocks to cushion the clamp. But wasn't thinking and the engrain left an impression. So far it's gone 25" and has taken about 3/4" of set. Once I get the marks out ill re sand and see how she's bending on te tree before I shoot it in.
Kyle
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I got it ahooting at full drae and cleaned up. All that left is to doll it up and shoot it some more. I've got about 70-100 shots through it right now. It throws an arrow hard enough to make me happy, I had a little thump of you go below a 450gr arrow. It pulls 55# at 27". It does very well with a 600gr arrow. Flat to atleast 15 yards and my buddy standing 5' away could barely hear the bow shoot. Right now it's sitting at 1 1/4" of set immediately after unstringing Thats even on both limbs, in both amount and location. And pulls back smoothly wiyhout tilting in the hand. So I think I got the tiller pretty decent. I need to get some more walnit staves, I like working with this stuff. Carves easy, very light in the hand and throws an arrow well, in addition to being a naturally beautiful wood. Except for cedar and cherry, I don't think any other woods that smell as nice when working. Here's a full drae on the tree along with a braced shot. I think I'll let the final finish be a surprise. Oh and the big holes are holding well
Kyle
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Can't wait to see that one all dressed up, those woods really sing with a little oil to bring out the colour!
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Mo_coon-catcher: after seeing that bow I'm glad I saved those staves from the walnut tree the power company it down in my back yard last month. I'll have a few good staves to work with once they're dry enough. 😀
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That's looking great kyle can't wait to see that one finished. Cheers- Brendan
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I wasn't going to show the decorations, but let the recieved show the finished bow. But I figured I'd show how I did one step of decorating.
Applying snake skin sheds.
These came from a pair of my ball pythons. 2 different color patterns. So each side has a differing pattern. I start with sheds that are intact through the body. And I put the in a plastic tub that I line with a layer of paper towels. I spray the skins and paper towels until they are damp but not wet. Let that sit for about an hour. Once pliable, take a pair of SHARP scissors and cut of the narrow head and the tail so that you have a tube. Then cut up the belly with scissors so they lay flat. I didn't do anything to prep the back except sand it clean. Spread on a layer of glue, I used TB3. Hold the skin on each end and lay it down like a bed sheet. Making sure the skin stays damp and pliable, gently straighten out the skin so there are no major wrinkles and it lined up with ye pattern you want. Keeping them damp with a bowl , use your fingers to squeegee out the excess glue and pull out the little wrinkles. Once it's all spread out, excess glue removed, and wrinkles straitened out. Trim off te excess skin. Then repeat for the other side if you didn't get it all in one go.
You only want ye skin damp, not wet! If it gets wet it gets very delicate, like wet tissue paper. If just damp it's actually pretty tough. Then you just clean up the edges like any other skin. I use a bastard file and sand paper.
Feel free to ask any questions I may have missed.
Kyle
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A few more.
Kyle
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I just realized I didn't follow the curve too well with the pattern on ye one skin. That the hardest part about using sheds, it's hard to see the pattern if your not in good light and the right position.
Kyle
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Reads like good instructions, Kyle. Thanks!
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Really useful Kyle, thanks!
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And here's how it looks after drying.
Kyle
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Those look amazing
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that's looking good Kyle, Way to recycle buddy!
What did you do for the bug holes?
I got a nice 40" walnut 6" around last week debarked and sealed. I had saved the tree at mother in laws from drowning under vines along the property line and then the neighbor cut it off this spring leaving a 5 foot stump. The rest of it was down too long to save I think. Should get 2 sets of perfect billets anyways.
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Thanks guys. I havnt done anything to the bug holes except to soak them in super glue and leave those spots a little thicker so they don't bend quite as much as the rest of the limb. They seem to be holding at this point. I'm going to shoot it a bunch more to be sure they don't let go before I send it on its way. So far it's got about 100 shots. I want to get a couple hundred more.
Kyle
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Your guy's a lucky fella Kyle!
I guess with Kyle all done we all are not gonna have much to look at for a little while (hint 😀).You know what Del says, if there's no picture ..... :D >:D
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One last picture from me. I have to show the colors after just one coat of tru oil. The tet will be left for ye recieved to show off. But I did shoot it a bit more this morning after letting the oil dry over night. I have to say. It's hard to let this one go. Shoots fast with no hand thump and almost no noise. It'll only get better with a pair of silencers, and they aren't even necessary with this bow. It came out pulling 55# at 27".
Kyle
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That looks great! That's one bow I'd be proud to own.
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It figures the first one done is the guy who thought he wouldn't be able to participate at all. ::) ;D
She turned out nice Kyle. I know what it's like to not want to part with one that turns out that nice. I guess you'll just have to make another for yourself. Did you have a plan B bow you were gonna knock out next? Not that you need to. That one's a keeper for sure. :OK
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It surprised me I was able to get back at it so quick and get it done so quickly. Along with two other bows in the same time.
I had plans for a plan B in the form of a black locust bow tht I could crank out pretty quick if I needed. But it's looking like it won't be needed. I'm happy with how this bow and the other bow for a trade turned out, in both looks and performance. So I'll just make one of two for myself at this point. I don't know about you guys, but I have a bad habit of giving away my best bows and only keeping ye low performing or failures for myself. At the moment all my good bows are ones I've got from trades since I wknt part with those. I think I just don't take the time to make bows for myself, just others. But I've got a pair of staves for some experiments set out. Another heavy weight for black cherry and a heavy persimmon. The persimmon goal is 100+# to see what it can take, since it did well in a narrow 60# ELB design, and the BC is just going for a heavy ELB design since it's only 1.5" wide but 80+" long. I'll see if it'll take a 70# at 27" draw. For now I'll consider the cherry the plan B if it holds and I have issues with the walnut. There still a lot of time and lots of ideas flowing.
Kyle
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One of the most influential people in my life was a former art teacher. One of his best pieces of advice was to keep as little of your own art as possible. That way you always feel the need to make more. To this day the only art of mine that hangs on my walls were the pieces I gifted to my wife. He was right. I keep making more. I take pictures of it before it goes out, but most of it gets sold or gifted.
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Dang it Kyle, once that gets here my suspense will be over and I won't have anything to do but build and shoot that rascal. Oh well, send it anyway. You got my address right?
DK-You got me thinkin I need to clear some space to make room for more now buddy.
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Kyle that looks really nice. I had no doubt that you would be first one done. There is NO quit in this guy.
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So how is that eye situation Kyle?
Doesn't seem to slow you a bit buddy!
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Thanks guys.
I find out a bit more tomorrow. I'm hoping to hear when they will put the lens in. so right now I'm still working with limited depth perception. Though I'm starting to adjust to it well. I can get get jnages wth the eye but everything is blurry ebough I can't tell what anything is.
I'm not letting it or my ankle slow me down at all. So far In the time I've been released I've finished two bows I've had started before, started and finished the walnit bow, and started on two long bows. I'd probably have ahooting tonight but the wood is too wet and is taking set pretty early on. I have a heavy work schedule next month mixed with about a week of light duty after removing the stitches and after the lens gets put in. So I'm getting what I can get done while I can.
Kyle
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Building a tillering tree this weekend I need help pics and a list
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I hope everything goes well Mo-coon I pray they get the lens in soon.
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Thanks, I'll find out in a few hours from now.
But I can't help myself and have to show how the tip looks with some finish in it.
Kyle
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Building a tillering tree this weekend I need help pics and a list
I ave a tillering board. I'm quite happy with it and am willing to share how i mafe it, but if your looking for a tree i can't help you. Eventually i'll make a tillering tree with a pully system one day.
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Swamp, Here's my basic tiller tree setup. 2x4 screwed to wall, fixed pulley at the bottom and one floating up top. I have another pulley under my work bench to guude it around the edge so it doesn't rub when I pull. The back ground is painted with dry erase, which allows me to trace the the bend of each limb. I can pull the stave to a certain draw and hold the rope in the vice to trace arc. The dry erase is also really nice for taking notes. This might be the most useful thing I've ever done to a tiller tree.
Eric
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That's amazing! Thank you I'm going to go for something like that this weekend.
Oh and my second bow is on its way to floor tiller!
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Hey everybody, it looks like you all are doing great. Way ahead of me at this point.
Well, in case It hasn't been mentioned yet... I want you all to know I've been given a bunch of stuff to pass along as incentive items for this trade. The donor would like to remain silent. Thanks Bud, you know who you are.
So here's the plan. After a few messages back and forth with Andrew, we figured he'll randomly pic a name, someone who has been posting progress pics on a regular basis, and at the end of every month I'll send out some items. Here's a pic of a small sampling of what was donated.
I believe the first winner has been chosen already, I just need to get some items in the mail. Which will likely happen in the morning. Good luck fellas!
Tattoo Dave
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I've got a stave roughed out but I guess I need to get busy and post some pics. 😀
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Thank you for the donations for the incentive pot, whomever you are.
And I got an update in the eye today. Everytging is helping very well. And I'm going to be getting a replacement cornea in addition to the lens. I'll be getting then at the same time, I just don't know when yet. But the doctor used a glass lens to simulate my eyes internal lens, and it didn't elp my vision any. The scarring is in the center of my field of view and covers most of it. If the glass shard hit a few mm to any side, I would've got away without the new cornea. So once I get that surgery I'll be out of commission for a while until it heals shut and im give the OK again. So I'm glad I have my trade bow finished. But in the bright side, the doctor said I should have close to 20/20 vision when it's all healed up. Which is better than it started.
I'd like one more opinion on the trade bow, yay or nay on a handle wrap? I think it would look good with a wrap, but I'd hate to cover the look of the wood. Any opinions?
Kyle
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Very cool Anonymous!!
Good to hear your vision will be real good after all is said and done Kyle.
I don't think you could make that bow ugly if you tried so wrap or not, it is gonna be sweet. I'm never sure if I should try to make a bow different than my victim normally has or not.
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I'd say wrap it. That's just me though. I always wrap mine, mostly because they're always bendy handles and tend to be fairly small, kind of a comfort thing I guess.
Tattoo Dave
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I ended up putting a wrap on it. from handling the handle areas while putting the truoil on, a bunch of scales were coming off that spot. This isn't the bow but I did an identical wrap after experimenting in this bow. And I just happened to have the pictures of this one on my phone. There is just enough wrap to have you hand on just the wrap but not see any seap around your hand. It took a while to figure out a halfway decent way to tie it off. Then to help keep it from slipping I soaked in some watered down TB3. It seems like it did the job of holding everything in place.
Kyle
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So, the name of the first incentive recipient has been drawn out of everyone who has both sent me their address (this disqualified some of you ☹) and posted at least one photo since the trade started. Someone is gonna get something really nice really soon !
If you want it to be you at the end of this month, you need to post at least one photo between 25th of April and 25th of May and make sure I have your postal address so I can tell TD where to mail it 😀
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So I have reduced the plum some more, and steamed out some of the reflex. It had about 6 1/2", now its at about 4". Also reduced the yew some more. Came across some manky knots, so I drilled them and plugged them. It's a sister stave to the one I sent jeffp51 for christmas ( which I had to cut about 3 " of off to send it) so I had a nice piece of the same wood to make the plugs. Also made a new tillering string. Soon have them bending on the tree! Thanks to whomever put together the incentives! Cheers- Brendan
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Do you orient the plugs grain in any way? Just knowing that wood shrinks more across the grain made me wonder.
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Going to visit Swamp Thang in Texas (on the way to my father in law's which will mean more trips out there) made me realize I could have participated in this since my health has generally been decent. After six strokes, I often lack the steadiness to do things, but I realize now that this group is a lot more understanding and patient than another "trad" archery site that I ended up leaving over political views and a bow swap rather unlike this one. It had strict deadlines, and my name got passed to no fewer than three bowyers before a professional stepped in and built me a bow. I treasure the bow, but the atmosphere was toxic.
I've got a crepe myrtle that needs backing with rawhide if you guys wanna let me play...
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Don, it's funny you mention that. Usually I orient them so the the end grain (plug) is in line with the edge grain of the bow. Just for looks. Hopefully it's done any shrinking it will haha. I wasn't paying attention this morning cause my two boys were chatting me up. I'll look and see which way they are going. Cheers- Brendan
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Hi EdwardS, we are looking for reserves to join at any time up to August; the idea is that if/when someone withdraws the reserves are offered their place, which they can turn down, of course. Reserves can build a bow at any time as all participants are of similar specs. Participants can build as many bows as they please through the process of the trade and at the end of the trade anyone who has a spare bow can enter it into a random draw but the only people who will receive a bow are entrants to that draw.
If you want to join as a reserve, let me know. The more the merrier ;D
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Finally got started on the bow its hickory backed black locast molly..
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CBG that's sounds like a nice combo. Looking forward to seeing that one take shape! I rasped/spokeshaved the yew some more. It's starting to bend a bit. The bark from the center 4' popped off. It's got kind of a wonky side profile, so it's hard to see the bend but it's moving in the middle section. It about 60# at 10" on the long string now so I got a ways to go. Cheers- Brendan
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Almost got it floor tiller ed taking my sweet time.
Taking a break from the tiller and working on the handle a bit.
One limb is strayed away from the ste8ng being centered hopefully some steam and pressure will help
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Wooohooo! Steamed the limb straight had to let it steam for 3 30 min intervals with stretching in between each one untill it kept straight.
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Told ya. Did ya get your wife that stock pot?
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Hahaha noooo strapped for cash used a skillet with some foil.
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I've worked on getting these Honey Locust billets ready for splicing. I'm doing the same design on this Honey Locust as I am for my Juniper bow. If the Juniper doesn't make it this is my back up. It is also providing practice so I have better know how when I do the same thing for the juniper.
I've discovered it's much harder getting a good fit than I would have thought. As you can see I'm not the most precise with the band saw, but after some boiling and clamping they came together pretty good. There's no light coming through on the inner splices on the side but there's a little showing at the tips. It's such a small gap I'm having a hard time figuring out what to put in there as a shim. Since its the tips do I even have to worry about that? I plan on gluing them together tomorrow with system three's T88. Any word of advice before I do?
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They will try to spread apart lengthwise when you clamp them so arrange something to stop that. Some people drill a hole though and put a small dowel through it. I don't like that so I clamp a couple of blocks to a 2x4 to stop them. A "Z" splice is easier to adjust IMO but it's to late for that. Also you can prop the tips up to induce a little reflex if you need(or want) it
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Gonna be heading to SE Kansas for a few days. Family stuff going on. Will be hittin it hard after I get back though.
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Well be careful on the road
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Got the tips shaped and mostly floor tillerd.. gonna try and get the long string on it here in the next few days .. im covered in poisin ivy after deciding to weedeat my pond dam and clear some brush
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Oh man, that is horrible. I had the same thing happen in mid summer humidity and had no AC.
Will do Swampie
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There seems to be a lot of shagbark hick around my home town...Hmmmm
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from here, it looks like that shagbark needs pruned a bit....
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So I would be done except I've been using course grit sand paper to get this thing to floor tiller. I want a smooth perfect belly and it allows me to make adjustments slow enough to catch a mistake but also it allows more time to adjust my ideas and what I want to what the tree would best perform at. I'm thinking it should be tiller ed and strung this weekend maybe
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sounds good, I prefer a rasp but its all much the same thing really - any photos?
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I posted some 3 days ago? I think.....
I'll post more Saturday night after I work on it I've used a rasp and a draw knife up to this point. It is really soft wood so heavy duty sand paper takes off just enough to be able to take my time. Otherwise I'll rush and mess it all up.
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oops, yeah you did, I blame it on my age.....
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I cant wait to blame it on something lol
Anyways I got an issue.
Two pics on of long string being pulled to 45 lbs need some tiller advice and the other the kickoff the occurred whilst the stave was drying and I steamed out.......well it's back didn't let it dry in that position long enough?
Here are the pics
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Oh and the bottom limb has the twist
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Have another go at straightening it, over-bend it a little so when it relaxes it relaxes to being straight. Straightening some woods has to happen over a series of sessions, sometimes you might have to tweak it 5 or 6 times. Some staves just refuse to stay straight no matter what you do. Cant remember if you used steam or dry heat, but whichever you used last time, try using the other - you often need to use dry heat to make a steam bend permanent. Also, you can both straighten and temper bow at the same time with dry heat
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You're going to have a handle failure at those notched in fades if you're not careful.
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Nice work guys!downloaded a new resizing app,will give it a go.
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Yay!i can post pics again(wife got a new phone).digging in now that the weather is warmer.swamp thing,this is how I do straightening.2 x6 screwed in a right angle,a wet cloth to prevent scorching on the back and heat for a couple mins at the trouble spot and allow to cool.works wonders on most woods,quick and easy!
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You're going to have a handle failure at those notched in fades if you're not careful.
Could you elaborate a tad more and maybe dumb it down (=)
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Yay!i can post pics again(wife got a new phone).digging in now that the weather is warmer.swamp thing,this is how I do straightening.2 x6 screwed in a right angle,a wet cloth to prevent scorching on the back and heat for a couple mins at the trouble spot and allow to cool.works wonders on most woods,quick and easy!
That's quite clever
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Got it profiled,ready for the caul.
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Nice Bushboy
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You're going to have a handle failure at those notched in fades if you're not careful.
Could you elaborate a tad more and maybe dumb it down (=)
Make sure you keep it plenty thick in the handle area and don't have it bending to close to the handle or it might break in the handle because of its narrowness.
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You're going to have a handle failure at those notched in fades if you're not careful.
I would like to know how you spotted that from those pics. Do you save them and then zoom in?
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Okay just wanting to make sure I understood correctly
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Family all went out for most of the day, leaving the kitchen unguarded for the afternoon. Four hours later I'd managed to steam out about half an inch of the left-right curve in the one limb. Its still not straight (laurel is unbelievably difficult to heat-treat) the curve is now less than a half inch out and back but the string now runs through the centre of the handle and is all inside the limb. I'm not entirely happy but I'm pretty sure its as good as I can get it
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You're going to have a handle failure at those notched in fades if you're not careful.
I would like to know how you spotted that from those pics. Do you save them and then zoom in?
Just looking at all the pictures and adding things up.
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Gotcha thanks a bunch!
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Made some good progress on the elm yesterday.some nice heart wood in the handle and some flipped tips.kinda a pyramid lever design again for plan A.
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So I'm excited and yet upset strung it to a 1 in brace pulls to 45lbs at 24" right now so need to shave a tad off but that's the strongest pull to date without warping a bow and ruining it. I've got tiny checking crazy kw from steaming it and not coating it and it drying to fast nothing big but I am a tad worried I am going to sinew the back so should I prep the checks in any way?
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Looks like you've got the makings of a mighty fine bow there bushboy. ;)
Made a little progress on tillering my victim's yew 5 curve.
I'm shooting for a 55# bow at the person's draw weight (which I won't reveal) so the plan is to get it bending to that 55 about 5" short of full draw and then steam in the recurves. Right now it's pulling about 55# at 10".
I'm going to make the recurves very sharp with about 5" of static curve. As you can see from the pics, the handle is only set back a touch, and I don't want it to give until right before full draw. This is a challenging project for sure!
P.S. bare in mind the bow is sitting funny on the stick in the 2nd pic
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Lookin good fellas! Keep up the good work. I'll get after soon. I've got plenty of dried staves, and already have a few bows roughed out, and a couple floor tillered. Just need to pick two and get to stretching some wood fibers.
Tattoo Dave
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If you're gonna sinew back it, do it before bending the bow very far. No sense in lifting a splinter if you can avoid it.
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I finally got started on a bow for the trade. This is my primary, but I also started another just in case.
Got it worked down to tough shape, next is to remove a bit of the deflex, other than that the stave is pipe straight. The plan is for 60" nTn, and 55 lbs or so at given draw. I'm planning on doing a slight recurve if the knot that was hiding in the limb too will allow.
Eric
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If the knot won't allow a recurve, might as well do a deflex/reflex. That should be gentle enough curve the knot will allow it. What kind of wood is it anyhow?
I've got a couple of bows in ye works, but if I get them done with plenty of time. I might make one to put in the pool at the end. And I can't not post anything on here with how long is left to go. Anyone have any suggestions? ive been rubbing enough of my own random ideas, I want to do one that's easentially ordered? My wood choices are black locust (atleast one character stave and many clean), persimmon, ERC (most of it is charactereed), hickory (which I would dub sow belly, due to so many nipples), and black cherry (Id rather not use it unless I get a good consensus to, it'll end up paper backed to help with tension). And tell me the design preference (I will follow as long as the wood allows it). So what would you like to see go in the pot? So what would yall like to see built and possibly get your hands on?
Kyle
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Thanks Kyle, I can't believe I didn't even mention the type of wood. It's yew, with a nice thin layer of sapwood, about an 1/8" thick.
I was kind of hoping to see some recommendations from mybguy as well, but no suggestions have been made by him.
Although, we each have our own style, and I think I would like to receive something that the builder likes himself and enjoys to build
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Nice looking piece of yew there Eric. A little deflex never hurts, add a little reflex to compensate. Is that from the staves you posted about getting to cut?
Kyle how about a black locust scalloped d-bow? Haha always liked the scalloped ones. Cheers- Brendan
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I wasn't going to use one of the pieces from what I recently cut, but didn't want to push my time
Limit waiting for them to get down to a reasonable MC. This is from a small yew tree I cut last July. I may just leave the deflex like you are saying, and do a bit of reflex. Will definitely be the safer route.
Eric
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Little closer.
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Sweet!
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Oh man oh man I hope mine looks that good soon gonna add some curves after I get it straightened. But here's a partial draw.
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I think maybe the fades need to bend a bit more
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That's looking good bushboy! Swamp thang your getting there! Had a busy weekend should get more how time this week! Cheers- Brendan
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I been wantin a Bushy bow for my rack for a while now. That one will work just fine buddy.
Swampie, looks from here like the upper fade could bend more.
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Okay I'm gonna try to get it to full draw today if I have the time to straighten it the bottom limb kicked off when it dried.
Yeah bushboy not playing around that's gonna be a great bow!
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Took Plan A to brace and it snapped the string, so put on an old string I had in a drawer and it snapped that one as well ☹ might be a week or two til I can twist up a batch of new strings.
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Wow! Just wow. Haha thanks you tattoo Dave and whoever donated those items. I was like a kid on Christmas digging into that box. Feathers, obsidian, gar scales, hair on leather, silk for backing strips.I'm in the process of making a bunch of arrows right now so it will all come in handy! And to top it all off a really sweet flint knife blade. I can't say how cool this is as I never get drawn out of a hat. Cheers- Brendan
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Wow that sound awesome, thanks to our benefactor, whoever you are! Next draw takes place in ten days time, I still do not have everyone's postal address (nag). Don't forget you need to post a photo this month to qualify ☺
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Thank's guys!kinda outside my comfort zone on this one as it has a concave belly and Uber light weight levers.looking good swamp!
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I better get a move on it, you guys are making some good progress and looking good. I got the belly heat treat and on a form to get the tips aligned a bit better and decided to remove the deflex since it was pretty minor anyway.
Eric
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Just checking something. My laurel bow is much like Kyle's in profile and has one straight-ish limb and one reflex-deflex limb. To get them to bend the same, the straight limb is weaker? How should I tiller this?
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I finally took a couple pics to post up. These are the 3- piece take downs I'm working on. Since this was a first I'm making two so I can keep one of them.
One receiver is hickory and sapale. The other is sapale, ash, walnut and osage.
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/dakota_kid1/102_2989_zpsibxpkqhg.jpg)
These are the limb cores, osage(thanks Dubois) and Hickory. The hickory is from the belly cutoffs from my favorite board bow. I like the look of the heart/sap wood division. Both will be backed. The osage with sapele and the hickory with bamboo. I don't know if sapale makes a good backing wood, but it will look amazing so I have to try.
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m509/dakota_kid1/102_2990_zpsgxwlzhzk.jpg)
The elm bow is at the short string tiller stage, not quite to full brace. I'll snap a pic of that when I'm happy with the tiller and see if you guys agree.
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Those are awesome looking Dakota kid. They'll be sweet looking when done.
Stuckinthemud, I'd make a profile tracing so you can come back and compare the temporary and permanent set against. It'll tell you how the tillering is going. The temporary set will show first, so I'd compare immediately after flexing and unbracing. If one limb has to be a bit weaker to make the braced profile look even, if put it as the top limb since you'll want the lower limb a bit strong anyway.
Kyle
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... Both will be backed. The osage with sapele and the hickory with bamboo. I don't know if sapale makes a good backing wood, but it will look amazing so I have to try...
Hello, please let us know if the sapele works for backing, I have a a pair of boards and I thought that it was not useful for bowmaking at all,
Sergi
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Those handles look sweeeeeeeet DK
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Well, I've been working on my bow for the trade but haven't gotten very far with it yet. I'm working on a Holmegard style bow from a hickory stave. It's very roughed out at 70" TtT with a 9" riser (handle & fades), 15" x 2" working limbs, and 15 1/2" static limbs. Of course, the static limbs can still be shortened if necessary. I'm aiming for around 55# @ 28".
I have a 2nd hickory stave ready in case this one has issues.
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Hello, please let us know if the sapele works for backing, I have a a pair of boards and I thought that it was not useful for bowmaking at all,
Sergi
I've seen sapale offered as a laminate for bow building from several suppliers. I don't know if it's better as a backing, belly or core, but it is usable. It looks really nice next to some osage, excellent complimenting contrast.
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Dakota kid, those will be quite the addition to any of our collections.
Eric
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Made a bit more progress on the yew bow. Still got plenty of draw weight for my target. Please feel free to let me know what ya'll think of the bend so far...
P.S. The next step is to steam bend in some really big hooks. >:D
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Looks pretty good so far. Left limb looks like it's bending a tad more. Man that's a long string, you should make a toggle to shorten it. Just my 2 cents.
Dakota kid those are pretty sweet looking! Can't wait to see em' finished. Cheers- Brendan
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Good call on the toggle Brendan. I'm gonna brace it soon and I'll have a better idea of the tiller then.
Cheers!
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Quick reminder, i'm drawing this months incentive prize Friday so if you haven't posted a photo this month you need to get a move on 😀
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Well the elm is acting like a elm .the strong limb is taking set and vise versa.i made the lower limb like the tree grew but I think I will rethink this idea,after all it makes sense that the upper part of the stave is better in elasticity than the lower trunk section because it had to deal with more stress!it's still a good bow but not exceptional.it will do in a pinch but I'm gonna make a few this summer to pick from.on to a hhb stave I got from marc,payment is forth coming after I finally receive my package from japan.
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Well I thjnk Ive got a second bow made to put into the drawing pot at the end. I intended it for a guy for a wall hanger where he wanted a dark bow to match the wood work. But this one wasn't quite right. He kept saying he wants cherry, so I guess I'll make a chery bow, darken it with stain or charcoal, take it to brace and write do not draw on it. So that means this fumed black locust bow drawing 65# at 28" goes in the pot. It's 60" nock to nock flexing in the handle. 1 3/4" wide from fade to mid limb then dropping to 3/8" single side nock. I heat treated in about 1" reflex from midlimb out. It took about 1.5" set resulting in 1/2" string follow and a deflex/reflex profile. Where half the set was from inner limb deflexing and half was from the induced reflex pulling out a bit. The fumed color is a dark grey/green color. It was fumed for 2.5 days and finished with beeswax/deer tallow mix. If did fret early on in the lower fade when o first braced it and found my floor tiller was off a bit. But there was still enough wood to make the rest of the limbs bend appropriately. So the frets didn't shift at all and I still got a good weihht out of it.
I'll get some better pictures when the rain clears up and I get someone to snap some pictures for me.
Kyle
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Here's a look.the bottom limb carries a fair bit more mass but it's abit weaker even after a heavy toasting!
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You need to get that bottom fade(inner 3rd) moving more/ some and that weak spot won't look so weak any more. It looks like it may not be moving at all.
After you get the bottom limb bending even, then match it to the top.
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agreed.
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Nice bow Kyle!
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bb, I always thought the lower section of Elm trunk seemed more elastic despite not being as dense.
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Still here!!!! Been working 16 to 18 hr days I'll post soon
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Yes I agree pat,the lower trunk being more elastic,just a bit les bend resistances tried to hold the bow very straight for this shot.critique pls
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Here's my 131st option for the trade. It's from a hickory stave, 70" TtT with a 9" riser (handle & fades), 15" x 2" working limbs, and 15 1/2" static limbs. The static limbs can still be shortened if necessary. I'm aiming for around 50# @ 28" but I've still got a lot of wood to remove.
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Hey guys, sorry I know I've been pretty absent from this thread.
As a fridge AC mech, work has been insanely busy and not too much time
for bows. I have many roughed out blanks, and I pulled out a sweet one the other day for my victim.
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Draw is done. Ten of you guys qualified, one of them is getting something real nice really soon!
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So steamed and drying now pray it holds
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Here are a bunch of bows that I have roughed out for this trade. Obviously some are further along than others and I still haven't decided which one will be it. Some of these bows are tillered, but none of them are finished at all. A couple are just roughed out. Anyway just checking in and I haven't forgotten. When I check back I will be down to only two or three, possibly one. I enjoy doing it this way, I've learned a lot.
Everyone is doing a great job, I've learned from people here for sure. Thanks and talk to you all soon,
First picture from the top down: Black Walnut, Black Locust(will add working recurve, Eastern Redbud, Osage (spliced handle, Very old wood), Zelkova cambium(boiled in ashes) backed Black Locust static flipped, Bamboo backed Osage (skinny bow) and White Mulberry
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Some of those look like they are gonna be good shooters. Lots of cool looking sticks for sure! Cheers- brendan
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They should all produce good bows but I really like the looks of the black walnut, both locusts, and the redbud.
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Got the yew moving a little more. It's at about a 3 " brace. Pics are unbraced, 15", 18" and 20". It's pulling about 65 @ 20 sobi got a ways to go. The outer thirds are still stiff. I'll bring those around next. That should give me my length, then I just gotta bring the weight down. Been fiddling with the plum, os, and hazel too I'll get some pics of those up soon. Cheers- brendan
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Great stuff guys I'm behind again have the flu and 4 days now well I can walk in a straight line but I lost 10 lbs :( still weak gonna try to work it out tomorrow so I can show some real progress
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Flu is nasty, glad you're on the mend 😀
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I have 2 hickory staves bent into recurve, I'll will post pictures tomorrow. I should be done tillering them in and finished by the end of the month. I haven't posted in a while I just did't want you all to think I flaked.
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Life got away from me a bit but I'm back and will be getting busy finally.
Limbwalker, I love 1, 4, and 7 but they all look like they could be nice bows.
Will post some update pics soon.
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Flu is nasty, glad you're on the mend 😀
Thanks Stuck only wish my job cared lol all they see is a grunt fell outta line and needs to get back
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Received a random package in the mail today. I had no idea who would be sending me something. Opened it up and it had a half dozen bamboo shafts, some processed sinew, a few trade points, a few field points, and a ho bunch of turkey feather. I realized it must have been the monthly drawing for the bow trade. I will get a picture of the stuff up soon. Thanks to everyone who donated. This stuff will definitely get some use.
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Pretty sweet eh Eric. -brendan
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So happy tiller check I see bottom limb okay but top limb to much at fad and to stiff on the tip
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Made a little bit of progress. Both the Honey Locust and Juniper bow billets are spliced, glued, and shaped. With the Honey Locust, I even reduced the thickness to about a half inch and it should be ready to start tillering. The Juniper I reduced its thickness between 0.7 and 1 inch. Since juniper is lighter and less stiff material I'm not sure what thickness to start with, so I gave myself plenty of leeway to avoid taking off too much by accident.
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Those are starting to shape up nicley! Cheers- brendan
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Swamp Thang,
I'm seeing stiff just past lower fade to about 6" from tip and top limb from just past fade to mid limb.
That is as long as profile is even and flat to start with.
Brendan, Yew is coming along nicely!
gfugal, I have some billets to do sometime. What did you use to glue em up?
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gfugal, I have some billets to do sometime. What did you use to glue em up?
I used System Three T88. It's a pretty cheap, but good, epoxy. I'm pretty confident it will hold up well. the joint wasn't completely perfect, a few spots could shine light through but the glue seemed to fill the gaps well. I also forgot to post these. They have a ≈ 50° bend and extend 5 inches. I might shorten those though. It has 3 inches of length for the v joint. They are made of thin quality plywood that I found and glued three together, then cut the shape out. I heard laminated wood is stronger and resists lateral bend. It's about .65 inches thick now and feels very sturdy.
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Systems 3 t88 is awesome epoxy! It's all I ever use on laminated anything. I'm not sure the plywood was the best choice, but hopefully it works out. It looks good. I might be inclined to put another thin laminate over the plywood, just for insurance purposes.
Tattoo Dave
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Twisted up a temporary string, weight is a little low at 35# at 24". Post some picks soon
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Good deal got it retillered looking much better. Also started on a D bow today
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Good deal got it retillered looking much better. Also started on a D bow today
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Swamp, might you be a member of the committee to eliminate redundancy committee. :laugh: >:D :laugh: Gotta hate that accidental double click.
At least the bow is looking good. ;)
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Oops.... well have one layer on sinew on that gelatin really holds tight had no idea I would be hard as a rock.
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Ok time to nag, sorry guys, but, I have only had postal addresses from 13 of you. This month's incentive draw is in ten days, if you want to win something nice, and lets face it the odds are really good, I need an address to despatch to. Remember, to qualify for the draw you only need to have posted a photo AND have given me an address to post the prize to.
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IM BACK!!!!!
new phone took a bit to remember my password.
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Okay so ive sinewed the bow and its been two days not very thick layer. How long should I wait to test it?
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Give 'er a few weeks, depending on RH. That should be plenty for most conditions if only a thin layer.
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Thanks guys, great response, just waiting for two to get back to me; I've messaged them so if you haven't had a pm from me then its all good. 😁 I also checked everyone's still participating since we're more or less half way through and almost everyone has posted something in the last few weeks so thank you all for your contributions.
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Progress update with no pics. Got the hunk of yew strung up and tips aligned. At this point I decided to leave the natural deflex in the stave. I may take it out if it looks like set, only because it will bother me. Found a couple knots in the middle of the limb that are a bit hollow. I may leave them alone or do some inlay.
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I have a yew bow with temporary nocks braced and pulling to about 20"
This will be a lower weight warbow, it's a little out of my guys specs, I hope he doesn't mind!
My computer is crap and won't link to my phone, so posting pics had been a pain the last while.
Maybe I'll bug Clint again ;D
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Gonna do the prize draw Monday this month.
My lap top just died and this tablet won't post photos so I fully sympathise with wizardgoat. Will post my photos when I next get to work. Any objections if wg is placed in the draw? Anybody else with technical difficulties pm me
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Warbows are sweet goat! No objections here stuck. I have made some progress on the bows I'm working on. Should be able to get some pics up this weekend!
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I got my laurel bow to brace and as I started working it I found there was a lot of positive tiller with the longer top limb being too strong and unbalancing the bow. By the time I got the bow balanced, the bottom limb had taken an inch of set. Looks kinda cool as both limbs have the same D/R profile now where one was almost straight before. Thing is, on top of its natural 1" reflex and 1" set and 3/8" string follow, string tension is not looking good. I haven't put an arrow through it yet, got nothing suitably spined. Draw weight is spot on though. This laurel is not easy to heat-bend but there is also a natural twist in the one limb, nothing drastic at about 20 degrees. My own feeling is to fletch some arrows and put through 100 and see what happens but I could attempt to heat some reflex into the handle, or even pike the bow but then should I would worry about stressing the bottom limb causing more set? you can see where the one limb is lifted off the floor by the twist. Any thoughts?
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/win_20170624_11_16_59_pro-e1498309897509.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/win_20170623_17_35_42_pro-e1498309938670.jpg)
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No objections here about WG being in the drawing.
Here's where I am with tillering. I want as much criticism as I can get on the tiller. It's 8" handle fade area, 1-5/8" wide to midlimb tapered to 5/8" tips. Bottom limb (left) is 2" shorter than top limb.
I think mid limbs need to come around a bit.
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Here's the pic
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So I strung her up flexed a few times removed some wood and then I made a booboo I left it strung for a bit. But all of the reflex I put into it left which i expected eventually and now it is straight and pulls the requested weight. Ill post pictures tonight!
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HD-I'm seeing from 5th vertical line to just past red writing a tiny bit stiff on right and same area on left but needing more removed. I could easily be wrong though.
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Every time I do this trade I get hit with some of lifes twist and turns. Will be going to Kansas for a brothers memorial soon and another dog buried...maybe it's just the way it goes getting older. I'm waiting on a Stave Press I ordered from Jon and decided to just wait to work on the bows til it gets here this week. Then I better get busy.
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I set back the handle til the tips and handle lined up on Saturday. Today I went and put some shots through it and ended Up with an inch of string follow but pretty decent performance. Should I temper the limbs and straighten them a little and should I back them?
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Looking good guys. Got this plum evened out. Cut 6 inches off of one limb. It's about 62 1/2" long now. 1 1/4 wide until about 13 " from the tips tapering to 7/8" at the tip. It's got about 3 inches or so reflex. It's floor tillered with a nice even bend. But my tillering string wore out and I gotta make one tonight. I'll get some pics of it on a tree soon! Cheers- Brendan
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Thanks DuBios. I hope everything turns out alright.
Continued tullering a bit more. Workin on getting that upper limb to come around. The picture is with the bow on its pressure points. It pulls nice, but it looks like the right (upper) limb need a bit more
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Pic
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Thanks Eric,
Lookin damn close. You thinkin maybe just a tad past the fade on the right? That limb is 2" longer right. I really like your set up for being able to see where the tips are getting to.
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Thanks, it really helpful, the dry erase it's back great for taking notes too.
Ya, the right fade just a touch more shouldn't be about right. It isn't 2" longer. This is only my second asymmetrical tiller, and it's a bit different, I think I'll get a hang of it eventually.
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+1 To the right fade. That's looking real nice Eric. Cheers- Brendan
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+1 for the fade again. just a bit though. It's a little harder with asymmetrical limbs. But if I step back and try to erase the handle from my mind it looks pretty much there.
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Great, thanks for the help guys.
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I had an issue pop up with te secondary bow for the drawing. After a bit of use the string started to cut into the knock and split t open. So I filled it with super glue and samded the back clean to put a thick rawhide overlay on that I hope will help keep the string from splitting it again. I think I need to cut the knock a bit deeper while in at it. I love how this vie shoots otherwise. As long as they don't mind a heavier draw, I'm confident whoever draws this will be happy. I don't have any chrono numbers but it seems fast with a 600gr arrow.once fixed I'll put up a full draw.
Kyle
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The string follow turned out to be set in one limb, but it doesn't show at brace and performance isn't bad with max draw at 24". What would you do, bin it, leave it, straighten it or back it? Will post a photo later
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Stuck, I say shoot it in and if it does what you hoped for then go with it.
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Well, it's not pretty, I wish I'd traced the profile before I started like I'd been told to do, but, I think that some of the bend I put in to set back the handle pulled out and some of the straightening I'd done to the limb has pulled out as well - Laurel just does not take well to heat shaping. All the same, if it holds up to the next 100 shots I'm going to temper the heck out of the limbs.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/win_20170628_12_42_27_pro-e1498657147556.jpg)
The profile of both the limbs was nicely balanced, but now it like like this with the upper (right) limb more curved than the left. The tips were nicely lined up with the handle but are an inch deflexed now.
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Looking good fellows!well my guy might have settle with my plan A,as my boy is quite ill and will be in hospital for at least 6wks,so all of my free time will be spent there.bush.
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I'm sure whatever you come up with, whoever gets it will be happy. Hope your boy has a fast recovery! Cheers- Brendan
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Bushboy, we hope your son is feeling better soon.
Made a bit of progress fixing the fades. I think this looks better, it still seems to me the mid limb needs a touch more on the right. A few more inches of draw and it'll be there.
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Hmmm, maybe not on that mid limb, it all depends on which time I looks at the photo.
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Which one was the bottom limb? the right limb is longer right, so I assume that's the top limb? The right limb is also weaker in general. I think the fade on the right is bending a little too much now. I would agree, the mid-limb on the right is stiffer than the rest of the right limb (possibly starting 7-8 squares out), but the limb as a whole is weaker. So any adjustments you make is going to require reduction to the entire left limb as well. Are you close to weight? If you are, adjustments will most likely put you under. If you are close I would probably leave it with the positive tiller, it's not that off tiller.
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I still have a few more inches before I'm at draw length. So I still have plenty of room for a bit of tweaking. The right limb (top) is weaker, and needs to be for a smooth draw. Right now when drawing, it's still a hair stiffer than the bottom limb. A touch more out of the mid limbs should get me there, then just bringing it to draw length.
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Desert, I'd agree. Mid limb out to the tip on the right side needs a little more bending.
Looks good though.
Tattoo Dave
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You guys are great, thanks for all the help. This asymmetric tiller thing is taking getting used to.
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Bamboo, or any backing that is considered a "hard" backing will need a perfectly flat surface to glue to. If you are just looking to add couple pounds, maybe you could just shorten an inch or so off each tip, and re-tiller.
So I got a maple board bow bending last night. It's 52# @ 21" right now. I'll post a pic or two when things progress a little further.
Tattoo Dave
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Well it's now back to 28". Seems to be shooting nicely. Just need to shoot it a bunch more, then dress it up. Pondering a fabric backing, or a paint job. What do you all think?
Tattoo Dave
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Paint jobs are always neat to see. A bit more personal touch.
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I vote paint job too.
Kyle
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Definitely paint job haha like Eric said personal touch and all. Plus they look cool. I did some alignment corrections to the plum and yew last night. I'll get some pic up tonight if I can. Cheers- Brendan
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Just steam-bent in the first hook into my victim's yew 5 curve. The banana is for size reference.
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Wow upstate, You're not monkeyin around!
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Is that a banana near your form or are you just happy it didn't crack? :)
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I figured I'd get a few banana jests and you guys haven't disappointed so far! ;D
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I think the banana has the nicer bend with the decreasing radius thing going on but your's looks very smooth. And no cracks, always a good thing :D :D
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Got the plum braced to 4" or so. It's pulled back to about 45# at 20". I'm gonna work on getting the outer limbs to bend some more. What do y'all think? Cheers- Brendan
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Looks like you should avoid the middle like the plague but it's a bendy handle (I assume) so I know nothink ;)
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I'd leave the handle alone and get that left side working more. :)
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I agree with upstate. Leave it alone from the toy on the sidewalk to the right tip and just get the left moving all the way from said toy. Looking like it's comin along nicely.
I know I been slackin in this trade. Too many irons in the fire but will be at it Sunday for sure.
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I'm still here just busy started a new job with Coke and about to have another son in 4 days but I am on it sanding been shooting it have some scales from a gar going to make some small game tips and arrows soon
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Buckthorn bites the dust.
I'm kinda relieved anyway cause I didn't trust the knot, which is where it gave out. No big explosion, just a tick and folded over slowly.
I like the lilac in the works better by far and it is plan A. Will post pics of it asap.
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Sorry to hear about the buckthorn DuBois. That would have been a heck of a bow with that gaping crater in the middle!
Here's the side profile of my victim's yew bow with the hooks steamed in. It's harder to see all 5 curves unbraced then braced, but I'm not gonna brace it for a little while cause I had to fix the string alignment with dry heat so I'm waiting for it to get back to equilibrium MC.
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Somebody is gonna love that yew!
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what would you do about this - there are 3 of these along the bow, they are where a knot has started to grow over, they go about half way through the bow but do not come through on the back. The bow is tillered out to full draw, so I am tempted to just drop a little cyano in and leave well alone.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/win_20170709_17_24_34_pro-2-e1499676271414.jpg)
Also, anyone ever seen anything like the v-shape mark to the left? Never come across anything like it but the bow is covered in them
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Too bad about the buckthorn! That yew is looking nice upstate. I have the plum and yew both braced and pulling to 25" . The top limb on the plum is deflexed at the tip and reflexed at the bottom tip. I think i am going to heat treat it and put a little reflex in the top limb. I have not narrowed the tips on either of them yet. So that should help with the last few inches. Cheers- Brendan
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Those are both looking real good Brendan! I'd love to have either of em.
Marco
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Brendan man, those look sweet! (SH)
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So here's the lilac and getting close to brace. What you think on the tiller?
I'm seeing the left side needs more off in the inner and the outer parts of limb.
Thanks, Marco
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Hey Stuck,
Is that the back of bow in the pics? If so I would think it is ok as long as there's no ring violtions
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Thanks guys! Hey stuck, I'd just put thin ca in those until they wont tske anymore. Maybe left some extra meat around them.
Marco I agree about the left limb. It looks like there is a thin spot just before the trim on the left side of the window/insulation batt. Might just be the light though. Cheers- Brendan
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Thanks guys, its the back of the bow (facing the target). This is your one week warning, the incentive draw will be this time next week. Oh, in case you hadn't realised, suddenly we've only got two months left....
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Just for a refresher, when are we supposed to ship the bows?
Stuck, so the knots there don't come through to the belly? I would just go with it but others may have more knowledge of that wood.
DuBois
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Ok, so last year one guy didn't get his bow and I'm determined that won't happen this year. When I' m totally happy EVERYONE has finished tillering (not making it all pretty) I'll send out the addresses and you-all can ship when you're happy you're guy is ready to receive. This way, if at the very last moment someone drops out, I'll still be able to make alternative arrangements.
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Hi everyone, there's a bunch of us that haven't checked in for a month or more, no names no pack drill. Hope everything is OK. Be nice if we could get a 'hello' before I start sending out some PMs 😁
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been hanging out with my son in the icu.hope this one makes the grade?the profile is before shooting in.the top limb has taken a bit of set.
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More than good enough! Hope your son makes a swift recovery
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Looks great BB!
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Looks real good to me.
Best wishes to your boy.
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Everyone's projects are looking awesome.
My yew bow is pulling very heavy around 27".
Last week I fitted the horn caps with side nocks, and I'm
hoping to finish tillering this weekend. I started a new job a few weeks ago
and my summer has been super busy.
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I don't mind if it's just a little heavy Mr. Wizard :BB >:D
So I got busy and pulled out a couple o projects that are plans c and d. Not sure what is better really so I figured I'd throw pics of them on here and see what you all think.
L to R
Buckthorn, ERC and sinew, lilac, and ash sapling
Side profile pic is reverse order.
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Everybody's making some good progress it looks like. Hope your boy is better soon Bushboy!
July's goodie box is on the way. Should be there Tuesday or Wednesday.
My maple board bow broke a tip off. I also have a stiff handle laminate in the works which is uncommon for , the stiff handle that is. I'll be starting a third bow here soon, just for insurance purposes. Keep up the good work everyone!
Tattoo Dave
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Anybody have a preference?
Too bad about the busted tip Dave.
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I'd love to see how the ERC and sinew turns out, but the lilac looks really nice as well. Sorry bout the tip Dave, it sucks when one lets go.
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+1 to what stuck said
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I really like the lilac, and the ash next. I'm sure whatever you come up with will be great. Stink about the tip Dave. What's the laminate made up of? I got some more pics to put up tonight of the yew, and some of the hazel. Cheers- Brendan
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Got the yew back 83# @30. (First pic) It wants to be a heavy bow. I might keep it as my first warbow. Not sure yet. And the hazel is back to about 60#@ 27" (2nd pic) i think i am going to toast the belly a bit on it. It looks like there is a hinge about a foot from the top tip, but it was really just the hump on the back/angle of the pic. I have since narrowed/ thinned the tips and it rounds off nicley. The plum has been heat treated, but need a little re-tiller. Pics to come. Cheers- Brendan
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I really like the yew. It looks like a good ELB type. I also like how heavy it is. The hazel is looking good too.
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Hi all. I'm still here. Your bows are looking good. Been busy traveling but will get to work on my trade bow here now. Have Osage and yew staves
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Brendan, those are all lookin good!
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Bubois, I'm liking the looks of the ERC and the lilac. Partially because I just got rid of a sinee backed ERC very comparable to that one that I really wanted to keep. It's such an elastic feeling combo that's vrry smooth.
Brendan, both of those look awesome! I've been in an ELB kick lately and would love to have either of those in my rack.
As a sign of how bad I'm in the mood for those type of bows. 5 of the 6 staves I picked up at MoJam are long and narrow.
I'm actually excited to see how all thes bows are going to turn out.
Kyle
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Well, the lilac seems to want to go back to it's original shape from tillering. It had lots of deflex I steamed out but took 4" string follow after drawing to 24" and has nice tiller but tips are now 3 or 4" behind handle. Not gonna go with it cause of that and might pike it and sinew back someday but not sure. ERC is now plan A and coming along nicely.
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That's a bummer about the lilac, but can't go wrong with an ERC bow. That's a good look wood.
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It was my wife's birthday yesterday, so when we got a package in the mail we just assumed it was for her. The look of puzzlement on her face as she opened it told us otherwise haha. Thank you for whoever donated! I got a few less than dozen dowels for arrow shafts and a good quantity of quality feathers. They were just what I was needing. ;D
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Well Happy Birthday to You!!
HD- I started to pretty it up a bit today and I think it is comin along fine.
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Well got a update hickory backed heat treated black Locust likes to rip apart hickory... it wasn't juat one place either all over the working section of the limb it was pulling apart . Well on to plan b lol
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Owch!
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Don't feel bad Cabinet. My yew 5 curve went BOOM yesterday. Thank goodness for Plan Bs!
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Hate to hear that upstate ..
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+1
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Thank you gentlemen. It did suck. On the bright side, I've got an Osage 5 curve in the works that's going quite well so far (fingers crossed). I'll post pics soon. :)
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Oh well, I don't have any Osage bows. It'll make a nice addition! Haha cheers- Brendan
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Question.
The ERC is looking real good except that it has some cracks along the grain on the belly from the sinew drying and pulling it apart. Not all that unusual and not a structural weakness, but still, not perfect either.
It was a limb that was split and the outside of limb was the belly/split side sinewed so kinda reverse.
I filled with SG and a little dust but they are obvious up close.
Would this stop you from sending a bow if it was you?
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Those kind of cracks wouldn't bother me at all. And that's how I would fix them too and have fixed some. That's awdsme it's essentially backwards. Probably about guarantees there will be color in the bow.
Kyle
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i don't think so because I wouldn't mind receiving a bow like that. I like character "flaws." I have juniper that has a single massive crack down the middle from sinew drying and it drove me nuts at first, but now I'm really likening it, because it shoots so well and yet has a flaw.
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It wouldn't bother me at all. Like said it won't affect the bow at all. Just a little more character. Cheers- Brendan
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yeah Kyle, I thought I'd try it to see how it looked and it does have some interesting color.
Ok then, thanks fellas!
I will proceed.
I got a cover on the sinew but aint gonna say just what yet
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Got tip overlays on and some other decorative stuff on. How are we signing these bows? Any way in particular?
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I'm almost done with my bow for the trade. It's hickory with an Atlantic cod skin backing. It's tillered in real nice and I'm very happy. I will post finished pictures tomorrow after I coat it fir now here are a few from my time tillering it in, I think I fixed the flaws in the tiller since the pictures were taken but I'll know if I really did after I shoot it in tomorrow.
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Looks great Greenriver!
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Nice bend. And the cod skins are great looking! Cheers- Brendan
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What's the beat way or design for string silencers I've some otter skin is like to make a part of this bow also I'd like to share the video of it shooting whats the best way to share that with yall
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Cool! The cod ought to be real nice after finished.
HD-lookin forward to seeing your work, always like it. It wouod be kinda cool to have a standard for signing.
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This is getting pretty exciting seeing everyone start to get there bows finished up. I'm really looking forward to seeing them all. Any ideas for signing these bows? should it be something basic
Fred Arnold 2017 Bow trade
To: From:
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I got a plan B roughed out,just because I'm on the low end of my guys specs.
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More of a classical mollegebet shape save the handle
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I like that profile bushboy! How long is It?
Yeah I like that Eric, except maybe "made by" made for... see what everyone's thoughts are. Cheers- Brendan
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Very nice! That's a great looking profile bushboy
That's a much better idea Brendan, sounds good to me.
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As far as the signature goes, you could probably even skip the "made" and simply put "by:" and "for:".
With the recent photobucket nonsense, I have been lacking with posting pics. I'm not looking forward to creating another online account to host images, but I fear it's inevitable.
My 3 piece take downs didn't go exactly as planned, but it was my first attempt at the design. I should have made the angles where the limbs attach to the receiver much closer to 0 degrees than I did. Without thinking that much ahead I just copied a receiver designed for heavily recurved FG limbs. I'm sure I could finish them to the point where they'd shoot. Unfortunately, with the unplanned corrections/ shims they aren't an accurate example of my best work.
My plan B snakey elm is on the tree and giving me a bit of a hard time. One limb has a good bit of natural reflex and the dry heat reflex I added to the other didn't hold. I'm trying steam bending tonight. If that decides to stay where I put it, all she needs is some fancy lip stick. If it won't hold the reflex in the one limb, I'll just take it out of the other one. I may have to flip the tips to get the draw weight back up if I end up going that route.
While I'm waiting for the MC to stabilize after steaming I plan to start on an elm stave I harvested this winter. This one is about as perfect as a stave can get, so if plan B decides to continue being stubborn plan C should be a piece of cake, if it's needed at all.
I'll throw up some pics when I break down and sign up for a new photo hosting site.
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Thx's 64ttt.
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That's gonna be a sweet shooter bushboy. Cheers- Brendan
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Yes it is getting exciting!!
I like by and to" for signing also.
BB, that is a very nice layout and handle set up! PS-yer mailbox is full.
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Thx's dubois,i cleaned it out a bit.
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Re signing, I kinda like the idea of '2017' in there somewhere
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Could you guys remind me of the final date for shipping out? I got my finger crushed between a log and a 32 ton hydraulic splitter the other day, which is going to set me back a week or two. Thanks
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Sept. 29th is the shopping day. That stinks about your finger. Hopefully it recovers quick. Cheers- Brendan
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Ooh owwwch! Sometimes life gets in the way, anyone finds they got a good reason for needing extra time PM me and we can work something out
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Can we ship earlier if we are done?
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Umm, probably, depends. I need to see everyone has finished tillering, I have to be confident that everyone is going to get their bow, so, I don't need to see them prettied up and finished but I will not issue addresses until we have all shown a tillered bow on this thread. I know the professional bowyers might feel insulted by my seeming lack of faith but I can't have one rule for one and not the others, besides, part of the fun of the trade is watching the bows develop, so if it sounds hard, I totally apologise but I am going to make sure no-one is missed out and we don't have a situation where one or two are waiting a month or more after they have dispatched til they get their bow.
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Ok, so I've just checked back over the last 6 weeks or more, and, 7 of us have posted pictures of tillered bows, a few others have said they are close to finishing but no picks (and you know what Del says about that 😀) some others have posted regular updates and comments and two haven't posted anything for ages ( you know who you are)
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If you really, really, don't want to post a full-draw photo on the thread, pm me or email me and all will be fine, at least one, and probably two or three of the bows will be a dead give-away for the ID of their recipient, so a pm or email might be the best option for those bows.
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Posting these pictures for Wizard Goat
(http://i.imgur.com/s3omWH7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lMt5Lnh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WJU3wFT.png)
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That's a great looking yew ELB. Sort of hoping it makes its way to my doorstep when te time comes. Then, I don't think I've seen any I wouldn't want on my rack.
Kyle
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Thanks Clint. Did you get the braced photo too?
This is 1 of 3 yew warbows I've made recently.
I've worked on it since the FD, I'm gonna shoot it a bunch the next
few weeks and see how it does. It'll take some set no doubt, cheers
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Nice looking bend goat! What's the draw weight on It? Cheers- Brendan
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I've been caught up with applying to graduate schools, and will be for a few more weeks, so I haven't got much done in a while. Come the end of august then september I should be able to get it tillered. With finishing, arrows, and everything I'll probably need the whole time before i ship.
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Lookin Wizard, though it might be a little heavy for my little arms?
Dang gf, arrows too!
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Well after that backed black locast failed im going to my ole favorite the trilam. Waiting for the handle to dry the on with over lays and tiller :)
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I don't have full draw pics for you just yet. Almost though. Here are the two I'm finishing. Purple leaf plum and I had a skinny piece of Osage so I put bamboo on it. Will post FD pictures very soon. I'm down to final adjustments on the tiller for both. You can tell the tiller is off on the Osage from the braced pic.
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Got the fades working a little, handle not really doing anything now. Here's where I'm at, any thoughts?
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/win_20170804_10_47_59_pro-2.jpg)
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Stuck, could be the angle you're holding the bow, but the bottom limb looks a tad weaker than the top?
Despite the finger injury I was able to just about finish up the tiller on my vic's osage 5 curve. The curves are not dramatic by any means, but they'll hold. It's backed with goat rawhide. I've shot it about 20 times. Still might take a little set as it get's shot in, but not very much I think. Here's some pics...
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Nothing wrong with that Jeff! Some one will be pleased with that! There has been so many sweet bows posted, and as stuckinthemud pointed out we ja e only seen like 7 of them . I can't wait to see the rest. This is starting to get exciting. Cheers- Brendan
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The next month should be really exciting, really looking forward to seeing the bows everyone's working on!
Thanks upstate, I'll hit the centre of that limb with some heat, see if it tightens it up a little bit. Think I'll build up a cork handle, never done one before
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Looking great guys!got my plan b floor tillered,gonna put her on the rack!
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Limbwalker, lookin great! I've got some plum in the rafters but never touched a bow of it. Boo is really cool looking.
Loving the increase in activity from everyone that has been active.
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Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I've been busy makin a livin, if ya can call it that. Anyway, I've got some time now so I'm getting back to work on the bows. I'll post something soon.
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Hey guys, looking good! So here's what I have to offer. Friend gave me an Osage stave, with a ring chased. So I made a stiff handled self bow. Gave it a paint job, and called it done. It's just a pound under weight, hopefully that's ok. I hope my guy likes it. It shoots great!
Tattoo Dave
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Heck yeah Dave! I like that paint buddy!!
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Some nice looking bows .coming along pretty nice. I will definitely stay tuned to see all the bows that come out of this trade.
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My sinewed job is about cured and ready to string up soon. Had to be a little more patient with the curing at this time of year.
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I'm enjoying checking in on the builds from time to time. Part of me wishes I had gotten in on this, the other part realizes I haven't had time to work on a bow since you all started this trade. My summers get pretty busy and even my "free time" is spoken for. Looks like some nice bows in the works. Should be some happy traders
Bjrogg
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Going for simson's hid. Last year I had a bow with tension fractures on the belly from my overly zealous attempt at reflexing.the belly was flat.i hollowed out one side and tempered it,strung it up and it held a descent tiller.one limb carried much more mass but the tiller was good,made me think that this was a great mass reducing technique!thanks simon!
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I read in one of the bibles with proper mass placement that a 40# and a 60# can have the same cast.so this is now what going for c/w thinned out molly type levers.i don't own a chrony but the plan A bow seems quite fast for a mid 4o's.thoughts.
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Here is my cod skin backed hickory recurve at full draw. I just need to add the handle wrap and it's done
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Greenriver, that bend looks sick! (that's a good thing ;))
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Thanks upstate it's a high pressure build so I'm glad it to hear you like it
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Greenriver-very nice bend man!
BB-I been thinkin about a hld soon-maybe I'll get to try yours out first!!
Getting close on a couple of works-ERC sinew and buckthorn bow as back up. Gonna go to rapid city SD for a week so I'll at least bring em along and do a little finish work.
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So bows been done trying to get the gar skins may have to settle for something else if I don't get them this weekend
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I'm sure whatever you come up with will be great swamp. How's your boy doing? Cheers- Brendan
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ttt
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Well. I just submitted my grad school application, and now I should be able to get to work. :BB I should be able to work on the bows most of the day tomorrow, I'll see if I can post a picture update soon.
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So here's the honey locust bow on the long string. The string hung down 7 or so inches. Where you see it now is at 22 inches. It's pulling 50 lbs right now. The squares you see in the tile vaneer are 4" x 4". So the limbs are bending around 8 inches.
How does the tiller look? Should I continue on the long string a little longer or should I try and brace it now?
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Brace it as soon as tiller allows. Long string is a bad indicator of proper tiller
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I agree with High Desert ad the crooked photo is also throwing me off. I think that it might be bending to much near the handle on the right side where as the left seems pretty decent considering how early you are in the process. I would just remove a little more then brace it with a strig the length you plan on using before getting to pick pn the perfect tiller, just keep them fairly even and without any hinges until then.
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Hard to say but I think it is bending more on the right. That being said it looks as if there is s deflex kink right at the fade. Cheers- Brendan
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yeah, the right limb does have a natural kink since it has a natural deflex of 1.5 inches at the tip. It's not really bending there, right out the fade, but it looks like it is. If the left limb doesn't have that deflex like the right, will it drastically affect the tiller? For example, should I not be trying to get them bending the same distance at brace but only on full draw, since they might have to be bending at different rates to reach the same bend at the final destination of full draw? As you can see the left limb isn't bending as much at this point. I did that on purpose because I'm worried it will bend further the at later draws.
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You could try twisting the long string shorter and see what happens to the bow shape. I wouldn't take it to full draw straight from a long string, a two inch brace height is plenty to see what's going on.
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Well its ready for finish :)
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Lookin' good CBG!
Got my guys bow sanded to 400, overlays on, fancied up a bit, the rest on, and getting the coating on, 3 so far. Now a few weeks to decide what sort of handle to put on while I intermittently put on coatings.
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Thanks High_desert !
Hopinf to get my marking on it tommrow and get a string twisted up for it.
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Nice bend CBG!
Got a few finishing touches in the works for my victim's osage bow. We're rounding the final bend boys!
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Looking good CBG
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When we are finished, do we post pics or wait for the recipient to get the bow?
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Up to you, the only compulsory pictures are the proof of tiller, you can post the finished shots or wait for your victim to do it, or you can put up some teasers 😀
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So when can we begin shipping finished bow?
Tattoo Dave
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Thanks Dave, would you look at the time, its ONE MONTH LEFT O'CLOCK!!!!
OK guys, there's at least 3 of us not posted 'tillered' pics. In theory, everyone needs to be done tillering in the next two weeks at the latest to leave two weeks for finishing-off. So, it should be possible to start shipping in two weeks time, but, life happens. If you need extra time PM me. There is a Reserve bow in-build in case anyone is forced to drop-out at this late stage.
Also, I need to start putting together the Extras Random Draw list, so if anyone has a bow built for the Trade as a Plan B wants to join an Extras Draw I need to know. What do you all think about opening the swap out to the wider PA community?
Andrew
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In case you missed it
ONE MONTH LEFT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I still need to take a full draw of it, but I've got a back up ready to go. It's a little heavy and fairly ahort, but it shoots well. It's a 65# at 27 or 28". I can't remember at the moment without looking at it. Made of fumed black locust. I'll try to get, Atleast a tiller tree pic of it today. It's been done for a while and shot a bunch, Ive just been lazy about taking pictures.
Kyle
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Hi Kyle, I lose track, is that plan a, b, or c? :) :D ;D (SH)
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i tgibk that one was plan C. A and B were a toss up of which one gets sent where, same specs, two completely different designs. Plan B is gone, and plan A is still going to go where I originally intended it to. I'm about to get the details finiahed on my personal bow, but if necessary it can be sent out to. If they someone feels like playing with a walnit ELB of almost 70#. But I guess the other two aren't too far behind at 55# and 65# draws.
Nothing fancy, but made it feel more like a bow than a dark colored stick. It'll get a full photo shoot once fully dilled up and I get the time to take a bunch of pictures.
Kyle
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Here's the tiller on the back up bow. I noticed I need to rewrite the draw length. I must have had a brain fart when I wrote it in there. It's 65# at 26" not the 28" I have wrote on it. I need to fix that.
Kyle
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Nice lookin' bend Mo!
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I agree. It Looks good Mo.
So for the locust bow I got it braced. It looks good from the side but the string alignment is a little wonky.
I thined out and evened up the limbs for the juniper bow, but I tried bending out some twist but it wouldn't bend for the life of me. I tried isolated dry heat, I tried steaming for an hour. Nothing worked. Maybe juniper just doesn't bend. Any experience out there altering Juniper bows shapes?
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Looking good guys!where's the twist Mr fugal?
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Same thought Crossed my mind, I can't see any significant twist. Only thing I found works with really obstinate timber is boiling
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The juniper bow has a slight propeller twist mid limb on both sides going in opposite directions (It's not the bow pictured in the previous post, that was the locust bow). The twists aren't too bad and could be tillered accordingly I believe, But it's going to require some skill to get the string alignment right which I hope I could do. They are so far in the middle of the limb that I don't think I have a pot large enough to boil them :-\. Looks like I'm going to need to pay a visit to the correcting limb twist page. Due to the deadline coming up, I think I'm going to forgo sinewing it, and just go with a linen backing that I'll try to prestress onto it. I might have to put the locust bow on the back burner and just focus solely on the Juniper since that's the one I originally planned on giving away in the trade.
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CRAP! photo bucket got rid of the limb twist pictures. Dang. Anybody have those pictures saved by chance?
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My boy is out of hospital so I have a bit of time now.is the deadline Sept 15 or the end of sept?
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But meanwhile my shop wants me to work 7/12's,no pardons I will deliver on time!
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Deadline is end of September, but I'm happy as long as you keep in touch for you to dispatch late. Better a really good bow late than a rushed job on time, besides, I'm absolutely certain at least one other builder is running late. Enjoy having your boy home, do what you can with the time you have, family comes first, really glad he's on the mend.
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Well I've been in way over my head on a carpentry project . I leave for DR Congo on Aug 30 and will be bringing two billets of Osage with to work on there . I get back sept 13 and will have it tillered by then. Also have some guava staves over there that I cut and pre shaped last trip in march for options
I'll get it done but will take it down to the wire :BB
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I find the best way to untwist wood is to place a padded Cresent wrench horizontal c/w some weight.add some dry heat and watch for some movement,let cool with the jig in place.i could do a mock up photo if you don't get what I mean.
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That's actually what I did. I had an 8-10 inch wrench and tied two full gallons of water hanging off the end (which was 16 lbs). I tried dry heating it first, but it wouldn't do it, then I tried steaming, still, a no go. I think I'll just deal with it.
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Well here's plan B!
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Braced
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That's got a sweet profile bushboy! Cheers- Brendan
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I have a nice little piece of North western european bog oak,roughly between 5 to 10 thousand years old ,will make fitting tips for a molly design!at the tidy price of 2 buck!
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That's pretty cool. That will add a nice touch. Cheers- Brendan
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Overlays done,looks like ebony.
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You make some fine lookin bows Bushy
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That tip looks awesome. Someone's gonna enjoy that bow! Cheers- Brendan
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Sure, I'll take that one Bushboy.
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Thanks!i have developed a method with a disk Grinder that only take about 40minutes a bow.maybe I will do a tip along soon?they are just over 1/4" wide,but I have made them considerbly narrower.
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Well The Juniper bow is getting pretty close to brace height. It's pulling about 52# at 14 inches.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cm_hzj2ML9JzXL705SKbxni0GaNLYY8wG_wJWGyNCAI9BbYuqceusRqADoZiZQa-pefc1ONH9AhAM8q3lsck05gKgFsXIvLzZzGmrrRCOcfq-gyKpS3zsBrbiLL_6PsZ4BM9fRQTF0L4afbUEG8-1_ovJ__dB8ZouCdm0cc0irBonX2N5E7MPN98i05tcjOInoPKogViQ3PBrbYBovoQ7ZeCRrOXb06LMl-dK9xBf1hF4cM2lzZwBQTHimK81I3je9f6xxKJdxbgTCCHOzoOvpT1R1C4iPh6dQEwPlW20GyQ0ar2pwJHilq_VreJge64ehQiEPQCNZ559JazQT0s_5QvoMbVDjfkTmWfF2g5J9gYOuMMEfnCam13WmZH9Yi1nsdYNCGZV2T6nAsdKCQws9Vi8kKO8uCzpVWiiVWeDhyONP3d-XAyS8KknvFqmY4CdXiSuvo2kSL-HWkGZf3xf9MRhZM5ct5Eba_3r0wDHUXCE7wmfZtJW80uUuF2Td6DbObqT7SDnuXohHO7bGNufthgNTCUNGMr9OQWj14IEwtlyWYkFxeLoxyS2cVhrHQcG5V5TefXDV3dhESYrXuL_v-4Bf5R0iLlD7Ov00m4y2SAKf8z55snBg=w1600-h664-no)
What's really weird is this bow has a drastically different thickness for the two limbs (I don't know if you can notice in the picture). The top limb (left) is much thicker than the bottom limb (right). But what's even stranger when I find the exact center line and try to balance the bow it leans towards the bottom limb (right) despite it being much thinner than the top limb. This was a spliced billet bow, but both pieces of wood came from the same branch. So, I'm wondering if there is some type of compression wood business going on. The bottom limb must have been on the bottom of the branch and is denser than the top limb.
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So I have both good and bad news. Good news is I'm going to be a father next week!! My wife is getting induced on Tuesday because she has preeclampsia. The due date was originally the 4th of October. I'm hoping everything goes well. The bad news is that since the baby is coming a month early I don't know if I'll have enough time to finish by end of September. I was hoping to get everything done in the weeks before the due date but I guess plans change. I might be able to work on it a little bit during paternity leave but wife and baby come first. I would still like to complete my bow and send it out, but I don't know how my Victim would like waiting. I would also love to still receive a bow, but I'm not sure how that works if it's decided to send my victim a reserve's bow instead. Would the bow I finish later go to the reserve?
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Congrats on entering fatherhood!! I still remember when I first became a daddy. Now the girls are 10 and 12, time flies. It was the best thing that ever happened to me and probably kept me from doing a lot of dumb things I would have done otherwise.
I can't imagine anyone would have a problem with you being a little late on delivery especially with your excuse being such a good one. As was already stated, "better to get a good bow late, then a rushed one that's below par". Your updates also make it clear that you should have a completed bow before long next year's trade rolls around. I'd wait to hear from stuckinthemud for your final call on the matter, but if I'm your victim I have no problem waiting.
Update on my bows: The elm was adjusted again, clamped to my newly built caul and has kept the shape. Final tillering will start this weekend. I've decided to finish the 3 piece takedown as well and see what the final product looks like before I rule it out. I also started to rough out an apple wood stave I harvested this winter. I doubt it will be my trade bow, but who knows. I figured I'd mention it just in case.
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If it's for me ,no rush,i have lots of bows!congrats man,it will change your world!
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There's no greater and more wonderful game changer in the world than becoming a dad. If it's for me, no worries at all. Like Bush, I've got plenty! Try not to worry about the birth, those doctors know exactly what they're doing. ;)
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Same as the others. If it's coming my way. There's no big hurry, as long as it's not so long that I forget that it's coming. But then again, it would make for a nice surprise.
Kyle
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I am with the rest of these guys. Congrats, I have 3 kids as well so I know how busy you will be. Don't rush it. Cheers- Brendan
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Yeah man!!
Congrats on the baby to come and best wishes in the delivery.
If your bow is coming to me then don't even sweat it if it's late. You are most likely gonna need sleep as a top priority for a while.
Boy or girl?
Put a couple dozen arrows through the bow today and will shoot a bunch tomorrow. I'll get some pics of the profile braced and unbraced asap.
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Well here is plan B.it has taken a bit of set but I'm okay with that,i really didn't reflex it much,just a medium heat treating.was going for a smooth shooting accurate hunting bow!
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Just unbraced,critique on the tiller welcome!think I'm gonna dress this one up and do my standard frog skin finish.i'm on the fence wether to do a leather handle or a jute wrap?thoughts?
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How many frogs do you have to skin for that?
Looks fine to me as it is. I kinda like cordage wrap handles
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Looks really nice Bush. Tiller looks great. For some reason that bow says leather handle to me.
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I vote leather. My first few handles were wrapped cordage. Then I switched to leather and haven't gone back since. Just a personal preference. If I want a wrapped cordage look, I use leather cord. I've left a couple bare wood and like that as well.
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Thx's!dubois I use black and green rit dye that looks somewhat like frog skin to me !lol
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Front,c/w skinny tips
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BB I must admit I'm kinda relieved to hear that about the rit dye. Something kinda unsettling about offing that many frogs and skinning them for a bow :o LOL
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Well, I go away for a few days and you guys really get busy!
Gfugal; that's fabulous news, boy are things gonna get busy, especially if you get the night shift ;)
OK, so, if you need a lot of extra time (or anyone else for that matter), then, you or me can contact your victim and give them the choice of what they want to do (receive the unfinished bow and finish it themselves, wait, or go with the reserve bow). If your victim does opt for the reserve's bow but you still want to give and get a bow then you can send to the reserve instead and keep your place in the Trade. Everyone who gives a bow will get a bow in return.
Communication is the key, if I know what's going on I can make arrangements to work with everyone concerned. If I do not know what is going on then I get very, very, worried. For example, Gaur is out of the country, but, we all know what's going on so its not a problem Gfugal is not alone in having life get in the way, and as I have already stated, life got in my way last year but I kept Fred informed by PM and we were able to work around things.
I'd love to send out postal addresses this week or next but there are two builders who have not posted to this Trade for a while. I would really appreciate it if you would post a progress update or send me a PM guys!!
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Busboy, that looks great ! +1 on a leather grip.
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My PM inbox is at 98% full, gonna spend some time deleting old PMs I don't need anymore. Any/all you guys with full PM inboxes better clear out some space or you won't be able to receive your victim's postal address.
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Man there's some nice bows being made on here! I've been in transition on moving to my new bow shop/Garage this year, cant wait till next years bow trade Ill be ready to :BB make a bow for it.
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Everything's looking really good at the moment, hope you're all gonna be OK with the weather coming through over the next week or so.
I've gone through the past few months worth of posts and 12 of us have finished tillering . I think Swamp Thang and Dakota Kid have done, but I'm not sure. Last report from PatM hewas waiting for the sinew to finish curing; how's that going Pat? Red Arrow had a lever bow roughed out but no update for a while. You OK Ron?
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Cured enough and started flexing things. I'll try to figure out this picture thing or maybe email them to someone with that savvy.
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Send them to me and I'll repost them if you like
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pm me your email
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pm sent
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Man, I'm really happy with my victim's bow. It's totally finished with some special adornments that took me all summer to literally hunt down. )P( I just got done shooting it for about 30 minutes and it's fast, light in the hand, and smooth. (SH) It's so much more fun to build a bow with a specific person in mind to give it to. Thanks so much to all who put this trade together. :)
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Cool Mr upstatenybowyer!i'm sure it's a great feeling to be done!been there.anyways got the dye job done,green /black,c/w a poly sealer.makes the profile pop,and the ziggy handle
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Love the ziggy handle!
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Some teasers from Pat! Someone is gonna be a very lucky boy!!
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_0063-1.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_0057-1.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_0059-2.jpg)
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The excitement is now officially building!!
I am a slacker with photos. Bow is shooting nicely and needs handle to complete. It will be ready for sure though unless there's an act of God to prevent me.
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I've been working on a Osage take down and a guava bow while here in DR Congo . My suitcase disappeared in route to a city here and it had my take down sleeve in it so having to wait till I get home tomorrow to do that and get one of those tillered .
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3474_zpsbdn5fqg2.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3474_zpsbdn5fqg2.jpg.html) Heating limb over fire with palm oil on it for a little limb straightening
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3478_zpsa1jylhyh.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3478_zpsa1jylhyh.jpg.html). This star fruit tree worked well to apply the right pressure to straighten
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3576_zpsglgxtssy.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3576_zpsglgxtssy.jpg.html)
Quiver a Congolese guy made for me. He was going to make arrows but it's the wrong time of year for the grasses they use for shafts
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Thanks for checking in Gaur, hope you didn't lose anything too valuable. Your workshop is a bit more exotic than mine! Love the quiver. Safe journey.
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(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3500_zps4hy0il8b.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3500_zps4hy0il8b.jpg.html)
Here is a third bow I was working on. A natural recurve from a guava limb . I cut and shaped it last year and had it drying strapped to some rafters to keep it from twisting. Didn't want to cut it in half so will leave it there for next visit .
I lost all my travel clothes and shoes. But My friend Paul is about my size so wore his clothes the last two weeks .
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3415_zpsb4ygkded.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3415_zpsb4ygkded.jpg.html)
Had a nice meal from this hind quarter of a red flanked diker. Paul has been telling me how much better African game is than N. American game. I must say it was very good.
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That bow looks like an interesting challenge :-) I can see why you wouldn't want to halve it.
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So some of you have been sending me a PM or two asking for permission to dispatch. I'd love to oblige but although Gaur and Pat have checked in, I still need to hear from Red Arrow and Dakota Kid. Email is fine if you are having problems with Photobucket. Thanks guys.
Email avenue.woodcarving@yahoo.co.uk
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So found some small tension fractures on the belly from me straightening it I quess.couldn't see them before I put the finish on.old and blind!back to the drawing board! :'(
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I've had small tension fractures on the belly from straightening and it hasn't broken any bows yet. Way different then compression fractures on the belly from what I understand.
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THIS IS AN ULTIMATUM.
I have had pms or emails or posts off almost everyone, I have to send out addresses by Sept 20th AT THE LATEST or its all going to get a bit silly. If I don't hear from you, or someone on your behalf by Sept 19th (you can even contact Ty by phone and he can contact me for you), I will have to switch your place with a reserve. Anyone switched out will still be eligible for the reserves and extras draw, if it goes ahead. Haven't had anyone list a bow for that as yet.
This does NOT apply to everyone still working on their bow, only people who have disappeared.
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I'm still here. Work has had me quite busy lately. My elm bow is currently overweight, but bending evenly. I'm just working on dropping the poundage, but it's slow tedious work. My takedown is ready to have the bolts epoxied into the receiver and I can start to work on the bend from there. I have to work this weekend, but I'll be the only one in the shop so I may take a bow with me to work on while I watch the machines print.
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I've got one bow for the reserve pot, te black locust bendy handle. It's a little on te stout side. But should fill in, in a pinch. It's short and draws 60-65# at 27". I think I posted a tiller tree pic of it a few weeks back.
Kyle
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My replacement take down sleeves arrived today so will keep moving forward on Osage take down
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My bow is ready to ship, I need to do a little photo shoot and then wait for the ship date. Its been a blast and its one of the finer bows I have built, I'll try to get some photos tomorrow or Tuesday.
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I apologize for not posting anything in awhile. My daughter has been having issues with her epilepsy and I lost my phone so I didn't have any internet access. My daughter is back home and I've got a new phone now so I'm working on the bow again. Hopefully I'll have it finished this week.
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Hi Red Arrow,
Glad to hear from you! Sorry to hear about your daughter's epilepsy; if you need extra time let me know. Losing your phone sucks! I've just lost mine, all my work numbers being lost is making life very difficult.
Keep in touch
Andrew
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Oooh, its all getting very exciting, seven bows nearly finished and the rest all waiting to be shipped, its going to be a fabulous fortnight!
It looks like we're all going to be shipping in the last week of September, but, I don't mind issuing the addresses in two sets, so what do you all think about the idea? Send out one set of addresses now, and the rest when everyone else finishes? Or we all ship together?
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I vote everybody that's ready the last week of Sept. ships and the others as they finish.
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I'm game with that plan.
Kyle
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My bow just needs some coats of finish. Been shooting it a lot lately, and brought it to our local gathering for other guys to shoot as well. Are we posting pics here of finished bows?
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I am game with that plan as well. Mine just needs to be signed and finished. It's had about 175 arrows shot out of it, I wanna shoot it a few more times though. Cheers- Brendan
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I'm in with the game plan. I'll have more money to ship by then too. :)
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Ok, so lets go with that then. Takes some pressure off the guys still working too. We all want to see pictures of the finished Bow, but I guess it doesn't matter if the builder or the receiver, or both post them, its Up to you. We do have to get a tiller shot though.
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Well here's plan C
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That looks really sweet bb. Very nice profiles. Cheers- Brendan
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Very, very, very, nice
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OK, you got me good. Thanks guys, you couldn't have sent me anything better, I already have a project bow underway that's stalled for a lack of sinew, so, no more excuses! I'm blown away by all your generosity. Thanks doesn't really cover how I feel, but its all I've got.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_20170921_120354.jpg)
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Hooray! It got there! Can't tell you how happy that makes me. :)
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I'm alive!!!! Talk about some serious flooding down here. Man luckly we didn't float away but many others did
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Hooray! It got there! Can't tell you how happy that makes me. :)
Not sure how you found me; you make a heck of a good detective.
Hi Swamp Thang, glad you're still with us, you all had some serious weather to deal with!
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Hooray! It got there! Can't tell you how happy that makes me. :)
Not sure how you found me; you make a heck of a good detective.
Hi Swamp Thang, glad you're still with us, you all had some serious weather to deal with!
I had a little help from DuBois and a certain "Cat" we all know ;)
Swamp, good to hear you're above water.
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OK, here goes, we're about to enter the last week of the month. Over the weekend I'll be sending out delivery addresses BUT please only dispatch if you are completely happy your victim is finished or very close to finishing. If you have finished and you haven't posted that you are ready to ship ON THE THREAD, it would be a good idea to fix that as soon as possible.
If your postal address has changed over the summer and you haven't told me, your bow is going to go to the wrong place.
Thanks,
Andrew
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I think she's done. Got the grip on today, did a skived leather grip, the racket type, whatever thy are called. Got it dyed, and on, just need to put a coat of resolene on and some mink oil and it'll be good to send out. I'm pretty stoked to get this to my guy.
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Decided to do a last minute lam job,bamboo backed yellow heart.glued in 1/2" of deflex and may make it bend through the handle a bit.my plan c is almost good to go.handle wrap and shipping crate.
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Sorry fellas, Internet has been down so I am at work >:D
Should be up and running tomorrow and will post a FD pic.
Hey Stuck, get busy on that sinew mate ;D
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The addresses have all been sent out!
If you got the wrong one please tell me and I'll re-send you the correct one.
DO NOT SHIP UNLESS YOU ARE HAPPY YOUR VICTIM IS READY TO ALSO SHIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This has been a brilliant trade, so thank you to everyone who has joined in, I am sooo looking forward to the gallery of pictures you-all will be posting when you get your bows!! ;D :D ;) :)
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Cut the pipe, I just need to pick up some caps and bubble wrap and it'll be ready to go. It might be getting shipped out in the morning. I just need to attach some silencers to the string. A couple strips of raccoon fluff.
Kyle
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Hero's the bBB yellow heart.kinda on the fence between plan C /D? Thoughts?
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I'm liking the look of that one Bushboy.
Kyle
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Looks great BB. Someone's gonna be a happy camper! (=)
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That one looks great! I'd be happy with any of the bows you have made during this trade. Cheers- Brendan
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I like that! I haven't seen a bow I wouldn't be happy with.
I'll get the beaver fur silencers on tonight and get my guys bow out tomorrow or Thursday.
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Bushboy I for one would love to see that bow show up at my doorstep.
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Aint seen a bow I don't like yet. Can't go wrong I'd say ;D ;D
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I just dropped off my tube at the PO. So someone needs to keep an eye out on there porch for a 4" pipe. I'm definitely learning, dont go schedule 40 pipe. Everything about it is much more expensive. Though at least the shippers are gonna have to really work to break this one.
Kyle
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Got my guys bow shipped off today. Should be there next week.
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Shipped out today. Sorry I never put up a FD pic. Just too much going on and no one to help with it at lately. I guess the poor fella who gets it will have to do it if he likes it enough.
Should arrive Monday.
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Mine is in the mail should be there on Tuesday at the latest.
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As luck would have it, I have most of this week off so I can sit and wait.....and look out the window....
Maybe it would be better to work
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No work all week :o :o!!!! Forget looking out the window, get to that tree stand brother... unless of course archery hasn't started in your state yet. I'd probably still opt for the view from my stand than the front window.
I'm still putting the lipstick on mine. I decided to go with the snaky elm. The crab apple is gonna be a neat bow, but I won't be able to finish it in a reasonable amount of time. The elm one should go out by next weekend if my mandatory overtime at work is really over.
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I just checked tracking, as of 30 min ago. Someone should have a large white pipe on there porch.
Kyle
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Bows all done,will ship monday )P(
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Can we get a status report?who ready?and who's not?
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Sorry,where are my manners?pls!
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I'm not quite but neither is my victim. ;)
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Mine's going out early next week. ;)
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If all goes as planned mine will be sent out next week sometime. Assuming my victim is ready, but he dosnt check in that regularly. Cheers- Brendan
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I just posted my exchange bow in the general bow area. I guess it would be considered a backed bow for bow of the month considerations because it is fish skin not snakeskin but its a self bow in every other respect.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61630.0.html
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Looking good guys. Here is a status page. If your status is wrong let me know. As your status changes, let me know and I'll update the list.
Cabinetbowguy. shipped. Bow received.
Bushboy shipped Bow received
Dakota kid. Shipped. Bow received.
Dubois. shipped. Bow received.
Guar Shipped:bow received
Gfugal Plan A developed terminal issues (Dec), Plan B also terminal
Greenriverwoodcraft. shipped. Bow received
High desert. shipped. Bow received
Limbwalker reserve, status not known, been off the forum since Sept 11th
Mocooncatcher. shipped Bow received
PatM tillered, technical hitch, re-covering bow (Dec), laminar failure, starting Plan B. Bow received
Penderbender shipped. Bow received.
Red Arrow reserve, status not known, been off the forum since Sept 18th
Swamp thang shipped. Bow received
Tattoo Dave shipped. Bow received
Upstatenybowyer. shipped
Wizardgoat shipped. Bow received
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Thx's stuck!(Andrew)!
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Hoping to get mine in the mail in the next couple days
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My recipient has gotten his bow intact!!
Now where's mine!!!! LOL
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Oh, its on its way, I know what's coming and you will not be disappointed :laugh:
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Shipped.
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Just checked the tracking in for on my bow I sent out via priority mail on Saturday because my victim should have received it by now. The USPS tracking service says it is "In Transit Delayed" and they will update the status when they have more info. IF this thing gets lost or damaged in the damn mail I will be beyond furious. Now I am really glad I insured it
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Here is some progress on mine . Got it braced and working on getting it adjusted
Currently 43 lb @ 23.5. Hoping I can make target weight .
Bottom limb was weak to start with as the limb was narrower from the get go
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3708_zps4uylaotk.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3708_zps4uylaotk.jpg.html)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3711_zps9stm58a6.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3711_zps9stm58a6.jpg.html)
Some work to do on tiller
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3712_zps2poyygdq.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3712_zps2poyygdq.jpg.html)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3709_zpsztuofqcf.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3709_zpsztuofqcf.jpg.html)
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The Juniper bow is braced, at a 5" low brace.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rffJWDLTgZr41-9PaKJaFOCwD1irParu5-3fmM0ZWn-H05meACeZs_JEf0LF3YB1WeKeKrbSq7gGliVZtpjM0I3F8_Q5ixmHHTuI5vGyk1Q0_YpJ-j2wlTrx1B-a96hR0JVoALK2gy3SBfWgTXL7_Vl-lD8IcANIiYA8Cyd8edB9l7tEP4HyVGs9wYEUnY14pneni54GAxyIDmDSEPIFJdiPALSX1S_LdPxuCLoYsUamyDQKssOz3AYo08SFGJd0GcX4VC-8QXe8Gz9OZd5m37nCGxNbFr77XHMy7L3iK4Q5tRs5EST1wTfvTbBD0ab18q-BpH1dSWTgpt1RqftTgiJS20DiT6Mj9cK_XYPmugbTBYreRVoqGUEkHpo40GyTMIcfZRtRJXYcnU6viUXhzpGqIqXIWmHSqbXftRqrLSy_pMXmaOnIn_raYVKcBqH2UFvkuhIEYr56oqMav9h6KXORoso_SPsqKlr-PhBwjWBKhtPS2psjjhUEvQLWwqT1M24wlXyyte3jHTQESya4xJEpHPY0ORCNwuXr1-VkZXhW2VWomcbSDNPDZ39J5hPIZVBYPGXO8dcG3ymNMdTSx2BwnEW3ds4STyhBiEnqf97qwhNP21QjcjQcfpvbYmusUZ3ngiaSdNjfYyMuWiwn8rWS2NRTVsFVPaGx=w718-h404-no)
I think I'm going to set aside the locust bow and only work on the juniper. Unless of course the juniper breaks then I'll use the Locust as a plan B. I thought I heard a creak when I was pulling it at around 14 inches. I inspected the back but I didn't see any damage. Reluctantly I kept tillering and had no further warning signs. Hopefully it was nothing. My victim already knows that I wasn't able to finish in time and is okay waiting till November. I was originally planning on sinewing it, but decided against it for time. Now that I have more time, and because of the creek, I think I will sinew after all. My question now is when to do it? Should I continue tillering? I'm at about 50 lbs at 18 inches. Here's a picture of it at 18 on the long string.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lmur30NUApubIOgsXvn2cq6_9OqR1wW2A_KtqcuZ8MSUyJK64TS3qgRRJvpOkHx4aGfy1dAbl9K4MboE7FqivpvJlts3ToXSoxIfqvlQjKHeR1v2D8SRPe9G5D1Kg5vWneCGm-j0MygvdiARxNwbI_5YwGYSq_D_5mTfNoonwYpGQ7j24RcPXDFHTOFr22I8g-a2RExBbaqqoPTjQPfID1RAZOlpbdwHqO6-Waqf6w5y31NelMm9qNq557LNQDtJbBqgQAtlz5Fa4r4UW5BWhGUa7he9Jx8pA-aiirCf6MwX44slyMbfrB5xu3kTaeZcA5R7ew-Ta717FPcZ2o2wwovCPncR8uOoJst4OHQSSFSAIXqZgLj_X20yPnsqRdjdXNt9rqDJ69mjLtZWfEvQwfFOQLtLP9kjFfOxPN0l1gJ0LobJHRNI-7cFtWOAgQN743Yxck6UPYS7lTLCd8S_eWhsmN_iOCD-yY8xcZxA2b3GVtxxcr5qTZj0x4IiUhVCZEsHelkuAM7ys_DtTY74TSM4wq4CnlhGa6KTPytYXNU5FINkZqdytCuAs43bCbs9AqeV2GduCn15JFSgp-IHuFM-VFZc6e20ScxccNMxy75_tsw6iCN8RB5XFRPXRmJK07oLtlAd0jX8vE9iwEw07WAkKXfBqdbqd4cx=w1339-h753-no)
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Thanks for the updates guys, everything is coming together really nicely. I've updated the status page. Swamp Thang has been hit by the weather but is still making progress and is nearly ready, I've also heard from PatM; he's been delayed by high humidity levels slowing the curing process but the bow is nearly there.
I really need to hear from Limbwalker and Red Arrow as both their guys are waiting to ship but I can't let them go ahead until I know what's happening - need regular updates guys please.
Oh man Greenriver, that really sucks; hope they un-delay transit really quickly!
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Hi Gfugal, I can't see the photo? I had a creaky bow once that turned out to be the string creaking, not the bow. Still learning about sinewing but I think I read that when the brace is good you sinew and then make minor adjustments to tiller once its cured. Hopefully PatM will chime in on this one.
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Can no one else see the photos in my previous post or is it just Stuck? I think I'm going to tiller it just a tad more, maybe to make sure brace is real even, then I'll sinew it cause I don't know how much that will through off the tiller, and I want plenty of room for adjustment. I hope that creak was the string, but ever since I heard that sound on my last bow that broke it makes me hesitant. If it was the back I'm sure the sinew will keep it in check, but if It makes it to where I can finish it I'll make sure it holds up by putting several hundred shots through it before I ship.
Gaur that's looking real good. If you still got some to take off, I would say maybe more mid-limb. It looks like most of the bending is happening right out the fades. Regardless, I'm sure it shoots great!
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I can't see your pics either Greg. Cheers- Brendan
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Yeah I've been working on getting the mid limbs working more
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All right can you guys see the pictures now?
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Yup, much better
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I just stopped by the post office. A bow shaped bow was waiting for me. Inside a beautiful yew bow made by high desert. 52# @28". Great poundage too. Thanks much. I'll get some pics up shortly
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Looking good gents!just a heads up for guys shipping international (IE,canada/us and vise versa) be careful what your declaration is or your guy might get slapped with a heavy duty!i always describe mine as a decurtive art bow and value at 20 bucks.i once declared it as archery equipment with a value of 300 and my guy got hit with a 60 dollar tariff!not cool!bush!
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That's really good advice, I described the last bow I shipped as 'carved over mantle decoration' and valued at £5
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A few pictures of the awesome bow I received today from high desert. Thanks
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3715_zpsg7w6o44d.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3715_zpsg7w6o44d.jpg.html)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3719_zpsc6vtoybi.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3719_zpsc6vtoybi.jpg.html)
I'm still building up to full draw but from what I have shot so far it is a very quick shooting bow
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3717_zpsdwlf3aio.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3717_zpsdwlf3aio.jpg.html)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3716_zps4ngx0gka.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3716_zps4ngx0gka.jpg.html)
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That looks like a beauty for sure. Don't forget an FD pic whenever you get the chance!
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Wow sweet bow man! Very nice bow Eric! How's when the trade gets really interesting! Cheers- Brendan
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I took the tips off my Osage TD and now it's at 60" ntn and pulling 50# @ 25". I'm liking how it's shooting now. Just need to tweek the tiller a bit more
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3735_zps6cehwihi.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3735_zps6cehwihi.jpg.html)
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Whoo hoo mines shiped
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Sorry fellas, I checked out there for a minute. Too crazy around here. I received my bow from Kyle last Saturday. It's a beauty! I haven't had time to shoot it, but will this weekend, and will get a couple pics up. Thanks again Kyle! It's a fantastic bow. Deer season opened here last week, it'll be in the woods before too long, right where it belongs...hunting!
I'll be shipping out a bow tomorrow.
Tattoo Dave
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I just got a text update from the usps and the bow was delivered! Someone has a gift waiting for them when they get home.
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Yay! Been praying hard about that one
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Hope its me its waiting for :)
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Mark me as shipped. It should be there Tuesday, or Wednesday.
Tattoo Dave
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Mark me as shipped
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So my im so excited I finished with the big storm blowing through and all of the crazy stuff gong on I was worried I would be done but here it is not the best in the trade but by far my best.
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Sweet! Love the colour and that carved grip is just fab
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Sorry fellas, Greenriverwoodcrafts bow is now officially mine!!
Wish my emojis worked on this laptop. I'd be throwing out some big smiley ones..
It's a powerhouse and very fine workmanship.
Thank you very much Bob.
I'll try to put it to good use.
Marco
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Thanks stuck it's far from what I had imagimed but I gave it hell followed my gut the whole time. Learned a bunch about the wood I used.
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Looks good to me, I'd happily add it to the collection.
I'm getting excited to see which I pipe shows up at the door.
Kyle
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CALL FOR RESERVES AND EXTRAS RANDOM DRAW
So far, although a few of you have expressed interest, only Kyle has put his name forward for this draw.
I propose a Halloween Draw. It may be that the missing Trade members will find themselves as Reserves at this time (hope not but that is the spirit of the rules laid out at the start of the Trade). Anyhow, we need more than one bow in the ring, I don't see any problem with you putting in more than one bow, you'd get back the same number of bows as you enter if you want to.
Come on guys, lets have some names - name and picture of the bow please, Draw closes midnight (Pacific Time) Oct 31st.
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Just wanted to give an update. My elm bow is looking and shooting pretty sweet. I have about half the tru-oil coats applied. I have a little pin stripe left and several more coats of tru-oil afterwards. I will be shipping by the end of the week.
I received my bow from DuBois and couldn't be happier. It's the only ERC bow in my rack as well as the one with the most reflex. After getting over my hesitation of stringing it without a stringer, I'm happy to report it's quite the snappy little shooter. I was shooting quarter sized groups with it in my 7yd basement target, which is just as good as any of my best shooters. If I can get some more practice in I may even take it out hunting this season. If it doesn't see any time in the deer stand, I may take it down the Allegheny for waterfowl. Thanks Marco, I'm lucky to have her. I'll post some pics of the elm bow and my new erc after I ship later in the week.
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A pipe showed up at the door today! it was a very cool trilam made by CabinetBowGuy. I haven't got a chance to get pictures or shoot it yet. Hopefully CBG can fill me in with what the woods are. Looks like Osage belly and Red Oak back, not sure what the power lam is, looks like maple. I look forward to shooting it. Thanks CBG!
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Glad it got there in one piece: ) it is a hickory back, maple core and osage belly not sure what the handle is possibly red elm. Hope it shoots good for ya !
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Where's my manners? Gloating over my bow. You can see her in the "Atlantic cod skin backed hickory recurve" post.
Swampie, that bend is real nice and cool handle set up!
DK-Sure happy you like her.
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Siyahs and sinew are applied. Now I wait for a bit. I'm planning on cutting down the siyah to 3-4 inches instead of the 5 inches they are now.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LPL9om_Aua3St8T9wIaJzDS9TsKLlW2Bo_h3cPeTkL9xMbR4LcZ4IONx3C4DFcwWBfaj4k-pfwYItnxs3ztplagTxkTCobD9YTBh1jvK3GCkNkXhwpDbaGY207-pYTY4At0n1dwHeDExFTSuq6UtrGsi_CXO-5kBlukTzQ1ICaj07LZJ_BIjUpHtmbjkspMhCTK1QxxZ3on2DNwBNZWArzgL5Tg5bDyqCe1o2Of3b25dZZb4i_ZSmGz-NUCgyA-FL92JTTKNctlGi9hAGgFqbQk_C9-tQOZMnKB3ysHwbkmFicwgGX36qcVIS8axk1mY5eZ0GIrZ0zdDGtwEz7kZ6CORCBl73KZ9Ez6WEw1eOyIQe5EPem5CssnxWmCCN4wDGtP8alzBpVoqGJuPIBs2LSoMOjz3j6T_cyyeL22smcDJ5rbMpDGsDDeq1168ywNbPsFjS0MelxiPh2stM2_TRlnaGcyquaFDHIbdKj3U56jec-FJHDi66n6OqyXKtcKoUl974cmZqJIejBj2sRWE4QC3gI1U0xVZOQc81IBVLOaqEXPXdvJrs265wx3mNxbGOQ54wAg00B2cksAhDjayNOKTJmCnyFoDAwR6NwPet-Fa8ZW6orKOJWO-LTSZkXchx_VAqGyT2hhHc5xOu5gPNg0CsAf38AE7c3oX=w1314-h739-no)
Pardon the messy background.
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I got your bow safe and sound Tattoo Dave will get pics up later it is one sweet shootin bow
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Sweet! Glad you like it. I enjoyed shooting it.
Tattoo Dave
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Well since I'm waiting for the go ahead I decided to put some skins on
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3757_zpsgfudnpub.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3757_zpsgfudnpub.jpg.html)
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(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3778_zpsx9jdcscd.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3778_zpsx9jdcscd.jpg.html)
After first coat of finish
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg15/bamboo_archer/IMG_3780_zpslr5e2ts9.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/bamboo_archer/media/IMG_3780_zpslr5e2ts9.jpg.html)
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Those skins look great! Reticulate python?
Kyle
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Thanks. Yes a reticulated python.
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I have never seen that kind of snake skin before. Looks amazing on the bow. The pattern looks like a small snake in the middle of the skin. I like it a lot.
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Looks sweet !
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Ok, unfortunately life seems to have got in the way for Limbwalker and Red Arrow and I'm going to have to reassign them as Reserves, unless they post to this thread by the end of today; sorry guys but pm will be no good due to the time difference~ its already the end of the day over here. Hopefully they'll reappear by the end of October in time to join the Reserves and Extras Draw.
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I think it's been a week since I sent out my victim's bow. I sure hope it arrives. If you receive one from me let me know! I'm biting my nails here!
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You shipped on the 4th, have you got tracking on it?
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gfugal, I'm liking that profile, oughta be a cool bow.
Guar, those tips and the skins together are amazing!
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I received a beautiful Osage 5 curve bow from Jeff (upstatenybowyer). I just opened it up last night, worked today so hopefully tomorrow's nice and I can take her stumping, and get some pics. Say a it pulls 60#@28 and it's got goat rawhide backing with a water snake skin back on one limb belly on the other limb. Looks really cool! Thanks a million Jeff. I'm very stoked! Cheers- Brendan
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Sweet! I'm very relieved it got there safe and sound. Never sent a finished bow to someone in the mail before so I was nervous. I'm glad you dig the bow. I think you'll find she shoots nice and fast. (SH)
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Will ship monday,its heading south.
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Maybe a dumb question ,but is Fred Arnold still around?
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Not a dumb question, but, this is a memorial trade, Fred passed last winter
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Here's a few pics of my finished bow. I named it "Lee", for lake erie elm. It just happens to be my wife's name as well so I got some bonus points with her too. It will be shipped on Monday.
(https://i.imgur.com/hLLN1iw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HnB3pR8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qQgH0KX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qNvtc3U.jpg)
It still needs a handle. I have a piece of beaver tail left I'm hoping will fit. If not, I have some regular leather to throw on there.
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Dang Mike, that is really beautiful!
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Thanks Marco. Those "skins" are actually vinyl graphics I printed at work. I dyed the elm with the same stuff I used on my traps. It was staghorn sumac berries that I boiled with the traps. The iron in the traps turns the mix jet black. If you don't add the iron you can add sugar instead and drink it. It tastes like pink lemonade.
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That's a stunning bow. The receiver will be stoked. Nice work!
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Really looks nice Dakota. The Vinyl skins look great from here. It looks like they laid down nice on that snaky bow. Did you bend it around the curves? Is this the first time you tried it. Did you put a finish over it? Could be on to something there kid.
Bjrogg
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I did bend it around the curves. The vinyl I used is the same one we use on full vehicle wraps. It will bend an unbelievable amount with a little heat. I had tried an adhesive backed canvass material we use first but it didn't like the curves. I would work fine on a straight stave or a board though. I did apply a finish, multiple coats of tru-oil. This was the first time I tried it, but I had it on pretty good hunch that most of the imitation snake skin backings available are made this way. I'd like to take credit for the idea, but truth be told I just figured out the secret to someone else's good idea. The only hard part is finding high resolution images of long straight snake skin patterns. The one I used for that bow is actually a pretty low resolution. A real close inspection would probably reveal that it wasn't a real skin, but it was good enough that it wasn't obvious at first glance.
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How do bow trades work?
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Like a secret-santa gift exchange, each participant knows who they are sending to but they don't know who is sending to them. Everyone builds the best bow they can but some builders are expert and some are novices and some are in between.
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Hi guys, I have some bows listed as being in transit a while now, and some of you hoping to have shipped early this week. If you have received or shipped a bow don't forget to let me know so I can update the status page. Thanks
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Got a beautiful Yew longbow from WG on Monday.
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Been trying to ship,new staff at the store don't know how to do the international thing.the owner is in tomorrow so with any luck my vice will go out thurs.
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Got a beautiful Yew longbow from WG on Monday.
Thanks Pat, email me some photos when you get chance?
Thanks for the update Busboy.
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My bow shipped out yesterday. It's going ground so it may take 5-7 days to arrive, but it's in transit.
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Mark me as shipped pls,prob take a week to get there.
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According to FedEx my package should reach it's destination by the end of today. Someone should be getting a 72" long tube any time now. Be on the lookout if you've yet to receive.
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Wife's gonna ship for me tomorrow. Been kinda crazy found mold from the tropical storm been getting walls and floor and now I have a hernia. :-\ so the arrows I planned to make didn't get done.
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I had one of them (hernia), ignored it for a couple of years until it couldn't be ignored any longer; surgeon said it was touch and go on whether it was fixable, don't do what I did!
Congrats on finishing the bow. :D I hope there are no more nasty surprises following that storm.
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Six bows in transit, gonna be an exciting week!!
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Soooo wife's running to the post office I threw in several 6ft river cane shafts a leg of sinew a few turkey feathers dyed black and a lump of unrefined pine sap.
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Just an update sinew is drying wonderfully. It's hard and smooth. I've been measuring the tension in reverse brace with a tuner. 7 days after sinewing it tuned to a B 20 cents sharp. It dropped down to an Ab 20ish cents flat several days later. I moved it up a notch to put more tension in it again since it was pretty limp and the tuner was having a hard time picking it up. After tightening it, it went up to a C 40 cents sharp. Now it's at a B 10 cents sharp. So basically there is less tension in the reverse brace now than there was a notch lower when I Initially measured it one week into drying. I think I finished sinewing around the 10th but I'm not sure. I should be coming up on a month of drying soon. The tension has been decreasing less and less. Once I feel it starts to plateau I think I'll put it in a small room with a space heater (make shift low temp hot box) and leave it there with the heater on and off for a couple of days to really dry it out, then I'll finish tillering.
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∆ WOW that just opened my mind up to New ideas about applying sinew.
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Thanks swamp thing! I hope it's a good way of going about things. Bytheway your bow is looking sweet. I like the handle and how you inscripted it!
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Thanks it's my first successful bow I've really made put everything into I had hope it's enjoyed
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Mark me as shipped
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Just did some tracking,cleared customs,look for the made in Canada pipe!sorry it's a backed bow,but I like the way it shoots!#1 for me!
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After a couple of near misses in the woods at the same doe. In one case VERY near, as in less than 5 yards near. I came home to a new toy to play with. Thanks Swamp Thang! A nice cypress bow I'll have to play with while boiling some traps in te morning. And thanks for the extras! It should be a good starter kit to get me playing with some atlatles. I should be able to make some good darts from the shafts. Sorry about the lack of pictures, I'll get them tomorrow while I play.
As soon as I got the initial unpackaging and fondling out today the way. I started getting out of my hunting clothes, and my knife decided to make a break for it and bounced tip first off of my middle toe. I think I can say I had it pretty sharp as it cleanly sliced the nail after the tip hit the bone about 1/4" behind the nail. I'm glad it didn't split my toe out the tip. It stopped cutting right at the end of the nail. So it definitely could've been worse, though I think the bone has a new indention now.
I'll get some more pics tomorrow, for now you'll have to settle for a bloody toe
Kyle
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Evidently the bow must be ready to make blood it through that knife at your toe.
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Goodness! Hope you enjoy starting another two right now a Days bow and haven't decided on the other
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Quick reminder that anyone interested in the reserves and extra bows random draw needs to put their name forward by the end of tomorrow (Tuesday 31st October) :) :D ;D ;)
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Congrats to ya Kyle!
I'm wanting to see some pics.
I'm also curious where that bow Dakota Kid made is now??
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How many reserves are we up to now? I'll get some pics up as soon as I can. I've been crazy busy compared to normal. I should get them up while waiting at the eye doctor waiting room.
Kyle
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Hey Stuck, your mailbox is full.
Kyle, how is the eye situation?
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I’m interested in the reserves and drawing but I don’t have anything to pitch in right now.... how does it work? Do I need to donate another bow to be eligible?
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OK, so I envisaged this as a way of getting a little extra from the Trade - lots of us built two or three bows (or more) over the Summer - and the Reserves will have built Trade bows with no-one to send them to - so, this is a completely random draw, everyone is right-handed, everyone is a similar draw weight, so all the bows built with the Trade in mind will suit everyone involved. My only caveat is that if I draw you the same victim as you had in the main Trade, I will re-draw you, and, if you can't ship US to Canada (or vice-versa) you'll need to let me know; you do have to enter a bow to be eligible, but, having seen Greenriver's work I am sure his victim would have no problem with him entering an intention to build and ship.
So far, three of y'all have messaged me to say you might be interested.
I have cleared some space in my inbox ;)
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Revision - if someone wants to enter the random draw and has a spec outside the average - draw weight/hand/draw length - I have capacity to accommodate them, also, if you have a bow you are nearly finished building I don't see a problem entering
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The eyes healing. Just had a checkup today, I've got two more laser surgeries and a new contact fitting. The first laser surgery isn't until the beginning of the year. To remove some scar tissue and clear up the picture a bit more.
I've gotta get a hand drawn picture of the bow I'll be putting in. I put up a tiller tree full draw a while ago. It's on the higher end of the draw weight pulling 65# at 27", shoots well though.
Kyle
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Pat is nearly done, just fine tuning for weight. I've seen the bow at brace, and you know what, y'all gonna have to beg real hard before I post that picture cos the bow is SWEEET ! >:D
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Im just now getting to put up pics of the bow i recevied from tatoo dave .. its a heck of a shooter havent had time to take it out hunting this year yet hopefully time lets me :)
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My better half just announced she's booked a family holiday leaving Wednesday first thing, returning Sunday night, so I won't be able to draw randoms until Monday next week, apologies for the delay, but I guess it gives you an extra few days to think about entering
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Sweet looking bow CBG!nice work TD!
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Sorry it took a few days to post pictures. I'm horrible about delegating time to do that.
Kyke
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Well,looks like I'm starting a gaur collection's. I'm a lucky guy to receive one two years in a row!thank's randy,it's beautiful!will get some action shot's this weekend.now I have two snake skinned osage take down's!i couldn't be happier!
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Glad it made it. Ones for your wife !
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Yo Brendan, I wanna see a pic of you shooting that osage 5 curve soon or I'm coming out to BC and taking it back! Just kidding. :laugh: lol
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Nope,im greedy that way!lol!
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I would never think of altering someone's work!
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I would never think of altering someone's work!
That's a really tricky one, and I can see both sides of this. As an instructor I would constantly alter my student's work to make learning points clear, to speed up the process where otherwise they would not finish within the duration of the course, or where they asked for assistance on a difficult technique. Finding the balance between 'helping' without 'taking over' was never easy and it was always important for the piece to be the student's work. Only once did someone say, 'yes, but really you made that' - I hadn't and was able to point out how little I had actually done. Personally, I have not altered a finished item gifted to me, but I can totally understand someone with more knowledge and skill improving something, as long as said item is still recognisable as the work of the original craftsman.
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Hey WG, your inbox is full :D Did you get your bow yet?
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WG told me he was in Europe until early Nov. so he may not be home yet.
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Thanks Pat
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WG has confirmed there is a tube waiting for him to collect as soon as he gets chance ;D
I feel a bit mean keeping these to myself. Some teasers from Pat
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/img_0192.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/img_0211.jpg)
The birch skin has just gone on. Looking absolutely stunning Pat !
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:o :o :o PatM once again you produce stunning bows!!
P.S. how do you ship something with levers that long. That would have to be a pretty wide tube no? I'm wondering for myself since mine has about 4-inch levers.
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A sheet of plywood and lots of polystyrene - like they wrap fridges, washing machines and computers with?
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Last year I used pipe insulation foam taped over the bow and then fabricated a cardboard box for the bow. Yeah, the box ends up with fairly wide dimensions.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oT6IE73oGhLrEbdI3cf3O0LO3V5blMJpRgeC7e1BdSzLYkqIhR67HpqDWZB72D2-Ef1B2sR9qmtrIKQPDZxjminO1RjL0MEVhcVtM3aw-lwGhrhMdPF1jLEsOnN6Cce8WsyRt7UGDQ_Xrlp9ffn6hSl7dboO2JLdfgiWFWAXAKHa1FAqGHs1xVQcOP-xEwEVWhEKZ2W1hx8viOTRPTwrNpJBZKGynTDsFFPiiD82c8NBGBpNoeSQ3wBIAhuoJ7ns5k7-vVkYzmUDk4GhOQzR7MmVa9v9CNMrYzKchAOV4aEEa-DbW_ttmsAe0L-Mn33pRwQyHjrBl-MVuHOzrlnHN7mkNED9BUohz9dkvIOd2IknF7VRyhEgoZwtNKq6C7r3izNkkRCcSBJx-RlGrtrxluxlV_qmAHBGrIMLD76iF_zNdroPmN3Hk7pKZFk0ROGs31UWA3a0mRDulFMlZjyDuCSxU6wjhyd-7W3rLF6ApFUgVi9C9TO97L3DIhGvIo_LHQaZGp_FUZTP_YUW4fox-4tt4k66e115jV79XVWkCEFu8YUubjiOOsgMrOp-LY3FlmA2Lq4tqphe1MlsK4DReWkLjSaY9MoHof9nv5I9ejl8zo_5gR7XP-1nA8JGOdtpxO9vA1lNilYhmzUmbttB9pYLN2-ymuE_NdO8=w1600-h499-no)
I've got the bow to a lowish brace (probably 4-5 in). The Siyhas are straight and level when it's unbraced, but I guess the limb is twisting a bit when I bend it since they both lean to one side when braced. I imagine it will only get worse the further I pull. So I'll review the limb twist page and see if I can fix it. Hopefully, I don't lose too much weight. Hopefully, I can get it to full draw within the next week or two.
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That makes me think that the string alignment is out. I usually steam bend the handle to correct that but your's is spliced billets. Double check your alignment first.
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That makes me think that the string alignment is out. I usually steam bend the handle to correct that but your's is spliced billets. Double check your alignment first.
Do you mean does the string track center to the bow when braced. Or do you mean there is twist in the limbs? It would be the latter I believe, but I'm beyond the point of steeming out any twist since it is sinewed and everything. It wasn't much twist but I was hoping that If I lined up the siyahs and utilized knowledge of limb twist that I could control it. Maybe I was nieve in thinking that. If all else fails I guess I could chop off the siyahs and put regular knocks on it. I messed up on the angle anyway, their angle is a bit too steep and I'm afraid the string won't even lift off at full draw.
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I meant tips and center of handle lined up. You have to watch this because your eyes will lie to you about this. Sometimes it looks like it's all good but it isn't. If you brace it, hold the handle firmly and do some short draws can you feel the handle twist in your hand at all? I have corrected a bit of twist on a sinewed bow with dry heat but only once so maybe I got lucky. You can twist them cold, just grab it in a vise and twist it. How hard depends on whether you are Arnold Schwarzenegger or not. I got that idea from Marc St Louis. I have one that looks just like that,60" NTN and the string lifts at about 23" or so. String alignment can be a real pain with big hooks. I have spent a full day heating and twisting. Sometimes it's a compromise. You may find that unbraced the tips don't line up at all. One will be one way and one the other. When you get to that point watch the string lift off very carefully. Just sneak up on it and make sure that the string doesn't pop one way or the other when it lift off. That will start a second round of twisting and swearing. Maybe put some bridges on it until you get everything lined up. When you're done it doesn't matter what it looks like as long as the limbs don't twist on the draw and the string lifts off cleanly and also sits back down nice and smooth. No shifting to the side at all. If it doesn't come down almost perfectly the thing will throw the string. Good luck.
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Do you clamp the tips, then twist the handle? Or what do you clamp to twist the handle? Wouldn't you be worried about breaking it without heat? I would use heat but it's spliced so I dare not. I guess I could try, and if the glue job comes undone, I could reglue it. Or Should I leave it and see if it gets worse in tillering?
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I clamped the handle in the vice and twisted the recurve. On mine I twisted it about 45 degrees and it didn't break. The recurve is enough of a lever. you don't want to be putting a wrench on it or anything. You can put a stick in between the string and the handle so it's at about a 15" draw and then twist. Watch to string doesn't pop off. I hope Marc or PatM will jump in if I'm leading you astray. I've done this on a half dozen bows. It's scary as hel to twist them but it worked for me.
I just realized that we have been talking almost entirely about twisting limbs. Convince yourself that that it the problem first. I wouldn't try to bend the spliced handle but you could bend it in the lower limb. On my sinewed bow I grabbed the handle in the vice, belly side up. Then I heated a few inches of the belly with a heat gun til it was warm. Keep feeling the back and make sure it doesn't get warm. Then I bent the limb sideways. Clamp it somehow(figure that out first) and let it cool. I aimed a fan at mine.
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You can be bold with twisting but I would refine your splice and wrap it tightly with fiber and glue to reinforce it. Make sure it's not twisted mostly because your limbs are both lopsided with your belly taper. You can thin the strong side and roll the limbs back in line if they are off.
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What Pat said.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aLDwVgGg2ovJF8IxIG69sPqXudMa65Vfc0fgPu6rJjq1wXZOubLHcrcQDQ5bzmEu4zfDT5TZZwEF17ZnWDPzNlaPg3iVWYSGSYQT4bhi0onN-8pRlpJdU8xiWioM-htaSSfHWgSaMKj4TLcZSC-73O0OUg3_f5BgeTRJgAFvcZ_YA7SrO_nsqwRefQKQnJLfsEejZlqbuS_bXGvXNqXqtvKk0DiTdIrNcl4xKqX-QDD1FKtmqfPsfmgOTlzxalrEKkpFMxf0W8iUFvwbJ3RTNlyzoZdutc1g6-sSZReP2QCIAA-hdKetx55IS4sszGvLo_9f6oSz9iPsqkBGqzYZY63cis-AsvMg2LW3NHmAmyfpihoYvea7ifbmvvu4V2odWzsWmz9Sv59npAXDIhI3zdFesQJ_1MoqBVOEeL3HzxackxVjmciqdvhsBcuYhJU8G7NwONdQTXEbtE692oIPpRF5mqfiAp3IPhwTm2anJTTTSLtgefrNXKe8B5FBxD9z5KfgA3CKON-K2w8KYE7Q5qZRcGWqyCGO0eooDfAxMdz9aj7eWwb2sf1j2PgB9AWbHnLIfSs11xOk3xJC5I1dQ73SSfXXIg3AW1HKbD4SfTs=w1600-h666-no)
So the siyahs weren't leaning as much as I might have described. I thought I would try correcting it by tillering out the twist. It's been mostly successful. They are now barely leaning when drawn to 14 inches as shown here, and I'm not too worried about it, well see if it's an issue when I start shooting it. I'm now just looking for input on my tiller. The right limb (bottom limb) is definitely stiffer than the left limb (top limb). but other than that one being stiffer overall how does the evenness of the bend look?
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Left mid-outer needs more bend. Decide whether you want a belly groove on the siyah or a tapered tear drop cross section with a large loop and bridge. You won't even really need much of a bridge.
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Looking much better, you've made great progress, really been enjoying watching this coming together
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Left mid-outer needs more bend. Decide whether you want a belly groove on the siyah or a tapered tear drop cross section with a large loop and bridge. You won't even really need much of a bridge.
I'm thinking of doing a bridge, although I've never done one before. Why the tapered teardrop cross section? I assume you're talking about the siyah. I'm not against it, it probably is for weight reduction, just curious.
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It does lighten weight but more importantly it removes interference for the loop to slide on. Almost all composites have this type of siyah.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QDnT8wJ2cWjRTfZOb07F5U2yIrurU5We9RllpK14Ht16TrcG5H-0ETTAC6bOMXkoIc3AffvNHo_0DPEytofwFeIfkPnGu19BhYJsJPmGoGPtyxD_ZRB-ig2ZW0UB-f-Q3C4Fw6eM3Bw7YE-T6HWWWcEMqUlSGmRR7D77Ykto3xQdQo1LdWeRLBiyTSqUcCMO9APJz-cczCkTs8OUKMcyWQuZw6-k7CmSJaWoIJlOFSwGXWSvJKWorYgY1uQPACpR6kDgbjSaXbhc0S1aNahldnHqUHJCs1gBC3RImgnrakbQFFU2ejWDVI-09w3Id63CFK8sDNkPe1J_KoO-a59NYrlW0tx8gQNKOU1lfFxNifwPemzR69ZLzhoxYr8isX03febY2QnjqJz733mTr19qLShBTn-fGSFo50rLQJSFcH6-cbhgW7HdgV3IzJqGjPdQAImV7Ud2QcYBq4H2ZzWXxkwfwbw0RMyntfXELY2RaRzi_B1JIr8C2l8hyPaRbkLFNjyFLUCZz8BoL-DQW5IqGKGOAO1OM6PBACFRmtu-vXsmD9jZN07_p1e0Qh63hyl2iIfoxVXZep079OkzO2kW658ls_Qd7VfiRIbU1Yg3B3k=w1600-h669-no)
So I added string bridges and got the limbs bending a little more even. Siyahs are pretty much in line now, and I'm not worried about them at all. I tried to fix the left limb but it could use a little bit more scraping on the outer limbs. I don't have much more room for adjustment if I'm going to hit target weight of 50-55#. So unless it looks good all the way to full draw It might be a bit lighter than it was supposed to be, 45-40#. Although the picture is 16" I've gotten it pulled out to 18" without loss in weight. I have had occasional times where It started losing like half a pound with the no set tillering method but I never drew further than that and took time to scrape the limb to even it and reduce weight. My question now is if the tiller still looks good. Should I get the fades and tips bending more or should I leave it as is other than a slight tweaking on the left side? If I do fix the tiller, or do need to reduce weight to prevent set would my victim mind? If you still want the 50-55# it might have more than an 1" of set. If you could send me a PM, or just post on here what you prefer since most probably could guess who you are by now. I don't know why I've had to reduce weight to prevent set. The limbs are close to 2" wide. Maybe it's because the tiller wasn't spot on, maybe I need more of the limb working. Maybe it's just sub-par wood. I'm not sure.
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Don't worry about the weight, a sweet shooting bow is a sweet shooting bow. ;)
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40-45 would be totally fine. ;)
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Let's see your bridges up close. You may want to relocate them to make them more functional. Don't worry about your weight or any slight set. The design and materials is a bit more forgiving.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mEWPvb-4XvAcQrfV4-3QiKHQ4WoVCbn5uho1_npFRkXCZBpGXTiICcufaUZ6RF4PVn_zTK_xxgppaRVvV92Tw-r8lJVLj0PHH46sE0_3leEK09tur8vgBCg_QZddf4gdaswlETH5Fp_u16k-NnqWQ7e1HKHooqGz4o-Aw1U678hJkdlpF6utnVeZ9JJJop2AChNJXlX0cfGIIPRLBx__hnHP5HK529fxDIyTkx4xnlgM441i455DSCYVWxNxQ46K1oh_rz7DHESlofYZebL4sQKEuaXxLBCyrUE-JZOQqlemDqZsF-Xe9Zib3RwCy8MNjxvmwhF2SSYEMpWpRf3FhX_GG7rTuaBJZqNVHRbXo-g1FFNpPP1DpZ689saQf4puccyMfYjGWyfpp46BdqxWBtsndvVZkGp-0HihYiK7dU_sUhB0xvZ9W0IClMyR01_6c_ugmiXXP1mQpoZQAYtjTDmzqFQxrw4RK2iQKfXuUas8Zn-Ptf5Bok4WSV07vqqAOrqUqRPazv4PSCDHT2T6LL5HevmvjMDjsh9fAZPiWCb3Q-SSTfMTHADnOpIgNEDKkRB_5m0r3CPA2v1hzKkNyCJOYnjafRd0KaCqS9U-ZlI=w565-h753-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xVGCDcIxVcbAJ5i0ArHJYsswemfap7mCWqpbIDqxb4aNjr4KCEZTW7vhmw04FNYdXm2aAXe8If9Q0tqMQzwsP4jyTDMxwa7HxHP7-2bZuzNPVSubC4ePrWwdixl0ANWX7qig9eCNcAvGLXy0EZZNJFzd2Oh_ZchjEDtJcLu5NBATpB4vCskOVR_0gN25WaNb6y829pn2WwHVI3-ml9BES1wwBuFnXUPsQl9hyHnWcr-gkapnekXmRYVvUMHv0yfIduUPth9GTVjyEDKDdpz2rJhfAkjYMb5g5hAG4teaMdX2ObpEvrN_50_Hke5ljCL_xNeePe-3UwkM5BwHf_rQtt6NFvTOGu89BT8UX-GLhepTSYbn3ZTpvlhNiwHKbPaEXLHRbu95CTcccWCCR06t0_Ycm0QjdHQouYqESJM0t2eq-2A7YezhYW-FA3urXxKtDwKdM_X0u6gxWWk-jzgjIP9TDXLfpD2Yzz2inSSXsz6BZwBsvUz3ItbaqQJlN1Rlmg7LLwS-XHmLEu2ULW_V6TAa2dPxyYp9jn2IBy_cF7i-J3IxrEbzotG9vpOjOYklvvUnDH84iFKzZYTRa5H5MbM4kn7vzBlEbxyK17j0gQE=w565-h753-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZrP3fyc6ePjHsgOUUpYzRa03DovDk_rsPDqBoPvFxVOJf4NSGOJ8pU42QKl5N1YUz8dgl6tt84uNxcvgXfev3cVjidfp6rtsK7sKGstkKDlui0-OhCTklXt--jWoy0eW75UdsXkMKU1bCSHwTarm8sILTxJCkz5arAKVnyTGkRweLBQ3exNmpq0mjI4Y2vxFtmZMN6IIoshxY4d4h2t9G8MLK-Wcckh76odSQVfJUJ-vjuSe57ZUQh9PPfiy1ligTrYpwVqRSGhi_kUMQBK-aXJzT7Sn40JHLyaPysHHNHyqGSnApHnIXKPoV9ogzAXj15QJ8YlRK-FGS-p1yYG-9-sBA7h2buiEirEEV9i15WWyYLMRIzKqDn5nSsG9dvUiAFJtCk2I9dK1Mx3ARRm4TCVG6n2ty3Xi4c29Art3ZnbzdnJPHNJZGqDh2IMKk4CMbSQ8JLRlJD1JWplTylGiWQsTMzWriaQGOGs8wNrLf68jtVMJftztbjcq_sFiSkpHUIkpOrXFHr1Z1qAEwzpqqOM5_697hoXH2eSkGO67Mc5Lby9i-zjgDq8_g5LCJKh4yE1wfdWzk_Gb2Fh2oRrvoMZbR0muIfmTY7s2-JHUN7addn0jUFoqs29SPWqFgNkY-NPEEKWZa9coWtdYhtvjuhfONFS5v8vPPd6C=w565-h753-no)
Here's a picture of the string bridges. Now that you mention it I see now that I should have positioned them elsewhere. But I feel like it still will serve the purpose of keeping the string in line. How necessary is it to change it?
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Quite important if you want them to work to their best potential. Taper that siyah. the string will ride against those square edges otherwise. Noisy and abrasive.
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I was so proud of what I had going...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Hghn8ms57XfnluxJjHogxsoIhknlR83cUn6ljR8DDWt7-MYgvbIJnQqajG2axvedp89mHtvYhJyucm0AdHX0mcqd-txQCGgGTFfF4I8iXPP3pT3_bnvhP0bVmnWLRswL0OKjGH0xy7BVIAjSst1UzkAcu-J32GX_EguCAuTsdO1wv0LgVD1iipfqPriFU3CKa2c-ZCPKibLke-TNoPxgNXDTbh7bAc_1apY5BZ_dF5ZCyoExldCM_FD0ETdw0zaENANzP3WYW4FzU8FAr8q7asuwBtMiByyORUD7-27T2XydPpAeaJ4sQaKlTH_1rKA8gw4CizWZFmZ1vvVNekxAqiAZGPyaHxnPlPrpPyyLNH0T280tFyvHi60Z7B2c2-iCWZqrx-04Xnhb20_eG8oVuC0eMMyWHt9EPYu1kbriS_efIEmoQm62z1510zYHotTy-4zxryiY6MyEppFDPuKqEWXDXQM6PhfagQ53299S4rNMIFTVxHkhkolX6eCZeZv0L6E1sYFpCI2bAuevTDq0QybTZwrJ2vfuqozvgFh9rEl9Fj-_OzCrlhe6sfjb2a_a_kkyKBCX9hCLnnqKKmUBXiZIaAqN1hkD0HqTHeS4AAk=w565-h753-no)
47 lbs at full draw of 27 inches measured from the belly
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cYqlGGaBuJmkdg0R6dzs24jHH4YsNYppTOa75jspnC6NOYN8ipBbXjDReO-taRLo1VLNd6uiBNGa5BxBvqx4bUJewT9drST2ybNzbNsme8z9J0Fs-Qk6-tuVHMX-_k3ZquanyqVP44WfJxLNvum6lvQmFGxOYZTigzT3UjmKxaAdFvQGRPwLTHXUHSYgSx0yVFNaFb3kxLH9W_XheOQjhydhMoRCaenkgrCHHMwDHdgBp_tVfgCvqE9i1_SHtBOtDZKv_UKmKlvSRsRMyc4XdOxTvxgk-T2p-N7baKq4rSO01-_245lD6nK7Koi-TDfl8Nb3lMB9__8glmtiQYoaakeeJIK5_iIVvJz26KK2TGfTn2-nIhp_lQvbUgbpJrf6usIL2vj5LGn0w8hn8udhV_pXq4vpXURNlOGns2lIBURRO2jUk6uh8KXT7pr2b8YS1R5zc15Dh6z49xcoxQDga24vnOTjdrVab5RX6iS_iDH9EAeoDorQhWsh_5p1NRzoDPEhfGx2g0_jrnHVVDmCx4xPX3N0YPcfhJeszTSsO1Yy1nQZ5JL42V8RlLJngDwTrHBiytiMNrAqTqoNARrUqKBgcyZP2io-lwkt7OFk7rGkb25P52dbkc91OEm3cYF21rfOSSiMYa5WbhrPJ9tarlVsfcKK9SoLW-ZP=w1215-h753-no)
This is the tiller at 22 inches, the bottom limb (pictured right) is slightly stiffer, but I heard you want the top limb slightly weaker anyway, so I left it as is.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p-3ktAPqaGKHcMcb3tinAwxOBBNCBLdndHQsBzQQkwx_43hNgr2sAiNBNqBFcweuKdKqEzIPNhvQWBSWm4hc0tcNMwJ4rNStSU-fPMbOrhrltHEpQwWownsvhgc9kmZV5B4UEbPLay7ACE9CpfRdJn3bBCSAyMT574fJ26rFdXK-Q075U1vGs7eOlj89FpxGylZC3bwjbNYl5ufGGmWy3a71B6BHkys1_1WCdzOWJSrlkPCnhUWa7iT9DyxpvhLFkMZTjKpHbIWyW1L3FPsKmZPG5vqr7gLx7gqVnj3xDzhAUC3coMpVfaPhpevObXJWawklAvtGAW6ksZCGfEKOT6Xw3C6iARVDvzzeFQuuAw_v5tVLCxEwhqWEaLDpn1pJ9wxTI0laadQHv5P7ue6ZTd8U0AmqlxnCFNokJQUvJ-xN-1Wm2AtrnnYKi10PJMCx4khXAXArqm2okLgVWbxvqVWgwvF8EC-NbwYJCE7XSCZsNWICbPrA9zxQ4t5m9XQU4E8vnUNz0b1BguOExu5BvmrbP3ZNg4ieRLlpjpJpt8Po_j6QT_mQBYHJ_2CTh9msGecnU7hWHYcgHVnlG1r-h0dqLg4nKFv_FtUqbzU-az04RJmGbMcYma-el74r4QbS-75TDI19xe6XwLrHjyTlU5lEonw1ftgIjoKe=w1600-h422-no)
So despite my best efforts it still got a lot of set. It was naturally deflexed to begin with so not all you see is set, but I would say a good inch of it is. It's currently sitting 1.5 inches below parallel. I did the no set tillering method, but I'm guessing my design was just too far off from the get-go. Every time I noticed any weight decrease I would stop and take some more wood off and try again. However, I noticed a decrease about 5-6 times throughout the process. Although I didn't pull past that point when I noticed a decrease, the cumulative effect of noticing those decreases led to about an inch of set. I should have been more precautious and removed a liberal amount of wood and aimed for a lower weight such as 40 lbs. I just thought it should be able to handle it since it was nearly 2 inches wide and more than 2 x the draw length. Despite this I thought i was well within the limits of the bow since many bows are made with more than 1" of set, I was surprised what happened next...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h_4NPCbRcmHTDipRrD1FKChNGLYcH41NQSMf1HAaOqbcETvFB_O0U7D37iS-ePAHDugJ-rxx6dzrsvEnISVy_Nl2SFLNhQz3wUNORdUTVmbQFRbHdtTjRU00X7GVz0e5oktW5tfONO7IbqUGAI8weUxOlDol3RuZrnXlcc6eBMXDp9LnAdV6a1MikLVw_kjTGIQ95bbbPNzkeDvQ8lF_n-l-BQMhUIGDNQb3v8U2v-PfArVusFBjG-31eMhppiPXrigN8pF1SriA14Zg41Iw2TI2xxiE51Cjd7Pc1Qq4INXmLd6Y94CIy5ChJnnWKcPBT4MlMT_GDokr2MHgWsdoKuQ-Yo2twbeDTyjDVC-2ScwbnRkO8GYo3sfg10nRu0i3KnF_UFtwkMNBcdGWRa11tlZMF_7Vqz1ap0mu-QJgzESCq6e-xtCQQZXwwMSpKGZVYY-HFQZJ9vHpUhyFHjmVNjK20vOy_4L8jaqPeOnMY57Far64ljTHX_xgFuRA4vK1sgeDLS1EcSQXi9BzTDR3QYrehLxtYey485kQtYnCdE6-uUHDeWEcO2NamqEj-ZOgLSbLkIxPFd-AuB8S-f9roNBuoQdxwxZOPcDKp1kw1Ps=w565-h753-no)
right after the full draw picture was taking, like literally one second, I heard a crack that scared the crap out of me. It didn't break, but I could tell something was off. after searching up and down the limbs I found this. You can tell this one spot has stressed the sinew more than any other spot. My guess is that the back splintered up but the sinew kept it intact.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WWlyyj0bj97ATMp_XIUaC-Pp7COVo_Zzzt0b-3PIkmfgrMia1D6lZSKHrzfeHVCgo-jLYL6PGWa2deom9atf8_c2rTs7VNI-VlpUnxv4rjRtnFlgVfqWyWZczE_dr2vJpHRwjWihVStqQg38iIMqFt_3JcFeHFn8rzeOmPuqOmnz_UZzz_3LRdLesUIwcR_391TR8fFR2e7qidgpYPVwzmLnZ0pw-jOo-dzj9u7jRHkAfo3ozkJbzYQarh12VI8Dbl-v4cbu_HQtD2AxDr_0Y26UxxvlwGRPFyLjsEjrF93n-ugEP1mlk3krdWZGgZhZPa1OfR4B61LzjLPcpCdassyQnGeAcLULd2ZL9Xx_tI6MKLelR9_YtXBpizBt133cb1DC66Z9ZSnF9hg7L6Ym5rCtRuo46Z1PPGZs6a1bCkJNM-RZhTLrmHxO-lxP1nnUDoBv7okraP1V1H7iMMiMl5CFzY8vhMQK3OFW3oik5WcP-2BdxKbHVrShVuBSJpgVJLyg059oI9eBzRlTPLpVn97CMKnqTobM8JlFTC9ndZnPSkl7qoIjT-B8wdZBkZ5bDMXNyL0QXnYh5VI3nE6bJ-eIRgnWIhJAF-zgHLPXatOsAnwBCBNqJiDLekmSEsIKmGYSx4KIKnxthBVDkdTFl69gmMokcTVbFOmc=w1600-h371-no)
you can see the bottom limb (now pictured left, sorry about that) is weaker when it was stronger before, and you can tell even in brace profile.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZajGWXLJtKGfxyPZ3jBTfY7ZgHV605GEs6SFYyRHOgPD3qvdSWNua02mcRTjRKuxikuPdxIcaJmo2PrFaFUTwwDZItIQlt-o9d8OwL8FE3mhqkonTe9aSMGeH0MTHdai2x3qEx58ira-qCARuokdmwq0x-_tKZDAdrR7mW0AHowHfunnMopbKdECqY6b0dK2rmRjQhiG8WMazhreDTfjpW4rK0BuhmOxrzRd9ujIYayMOsmRM5-2ZcbHz1rXd4G01V6ktSqs4GiBvuLfXoqvhpCKmLJg9wVlFVoKF0eKm1aq_q7BHZKUGGocWBpbh5BejaBb7FEaCb64bkhR_yUhzErtNxFvvZq8HoHdczD9FGrCmIwyKdkLpKLDJXjK4ZW786Dvp9OHphm173zvqqN6xLFNvVRn7gyHkupLTEIug8vUuQ7m8PzGR7_v8csp2dqRihhMUCJ_F1Y4hSlFuJKR9LgYlR4MkdVP42dnUKgz6rFAFmkkHO6lGQ0wV1oi0i5nmymT8V7wAeGrlhEdF5cxaZIdYOhf8J5oFIery1imGflaz484gX0YJVV1GsGaQIkwLGU4bg-5NrDCKhb6K4By0uJ1jNarLJcVYr4regF6D_Fm1GIGEjxb_YkPDqbJ7TTNrmEdGpEgBoa1pf2NF6fXFjmAXMeYN1ZQMxeH=w1600-h679-no)
I decided to test it out to see if it was really done for. Here it's 18 inches. and the bottom limb (now pictured right, sorry I wasn't consistent) is considerably weaker when it was strong before. You can probably tell but the issue is around the 4th tile to the right where it is in the shade. surprisingly it doesn't look that much like a hing. But when I tested the weight, it had lost 3 lbs instantly and was loosing more each time I drew it so I stopped. If I took it to full draw now I'm pretty certain it would break. I'm not sure what to do at this point... I could try to fix it with flax, sisal, linen or something, but would it be worth it since the end product, if it did work, would probably be below 40 lbs with more set then it had before? I could try to make a new bow but I don't know how much I could get done in December, it would most likely take a couple of months and I already feel bad for being this late. Or, sadly, I could resign and have upstate get a reserve bow. But I was looking forward to getting one myself, but I understand that if I can't produce then I probably shouldn't receive. I was afraid something like this was going to happen. It was the worse feeling in the world :'(. I had put more work into that one bow than any other I made. I cut down the tree (and cut myself mind you), it was my first spliced billet, it was my first siyahs with string bridges, and would have been my first real successful bow that hasn't stacked with a butt load of set. Oh well, what can you do? This is the worst part of bow-making. Let me know what you guys think I should do.
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Hey my friend, please don't stress about this. Bow making is supposed to be a release from care, boredom and worry.
I really am okay with not receiving a bow. You gave it your best shot, and if anyone understands how these things can happen it's me. I've had plenty of bows fail, and try to see each as a learning experience.
What would really make me happy would be knowing that you are enjoying the holidays with your family and friends and not letting this minor setback get you down.
You're a good man gfugal. ;)
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Hey my friend, please don't stress about this. Bow making is supposed to be a release from care, boredom and worry.
I really am okay with not receiving a bow. You gave it your best shot, and if anyone understands how these things can happen it's me. I've had plenty of bows fail, and try to see each as a learning experience.
What would really make me happy would be knowing that you are enjoying the holidays with your family and friends and not letting this minor setback get you down.
You're a good man gfugal. ;)
Thanks man! that makes me feel better. You'll get a bow from me someday that's for sure it just might not be for this trade, depends on what Stuck and PatM think should happen too. I would like to spend more of my free time with family this month like you said, thank you for that. This is a good opportunity to update yall on other things that have happened this fall which made me behind schedule. Trust me more good happened this month then the bad of this setback. My baby girl is doing well and is nice and healthy and is just starting to squawk and smile. I love being a dad. I also got accepted to three different grad schools for Physical Therapy. One in Michigan, one here in Utah, and on in Las Vegas area. I'm super relieved about that since Physical Therapy is super competitive and only accept the top 10% of applicants. Now I have to make a choice. So not all is lost :)
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The kindness and generosity of the guys on this forum never ceases to humble me. Everyone has seen how hard you've worked and Christmas is not for making bows. Family always comes first, enjoy yours. I'm sure you'll send a bow to Upsatate when time and commitments allow, and I feel you have done more than enough to justify receiving yours from Pat.
On a side note, I'm a little disappointed that not everyone that received a bow has posted a 'thankyou' photo, come on guys fair's fair, lets see a cool gallery set ;)
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Congrats to ya Kyle!
I'm wanting to see some pics.
I'm also curious where that bow Dakota Kid made is now??
Maybe I just missed it but I was wondering the same thing.
Bjrogg
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Anyone who can't post photos email them to me and I'll post them. I'd love to see Upstate's bow, wizards bow and the matching set guar made, amongst others..
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I don't know for sure if DKs bow has been picked up yet
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House-Keeping
OK, so, please imagine me with a smile on my face, or this post might seem cross and I'm not.
Even though two bows are still in-build, all involved know what's going on and it all seems to be under control. I am going to try to sign-off as admin for this trade at the end of December as I am looking to run a Trade in 2018 starting at Easter, unless someone else steps up, and I'd like a couple of months break. This Trade has been brilliant fun but before I step back a little bit, there are some issues still left to sort out. One of the bows snapped a tip overlay, presumably due to damage in transit. Hopefully the two guys involved in that trade have sorted out a new overlay? This is the only issue I know of, apart from one bow that seems a bit delayed in transit - hopefully it will turn up soon!. If there are any problems you need me to assist with let me know as soon as possible.
Photos
I've checked back and I think there is one 'thank you' photo on the thread, and ten finished tiller photos, that means we've all missed out on seeing lots of really lovely bows. Please, can I ask that everyone post a picture of their bow, I'd really love to cap off this brilliant Trade with a fabulous gallery of finished bows.
Finally, thanks to everyone who has contributed and made my first Trade as Admin a really special experience. Thanks Everyone.
Andrew
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Yeah,broken tip was for greenriverwoodcraft that I made,i used English bog oak that was at least 5000 years old,kinda got blinded by the cool factor,thought it would hold up,but in hindsight I should have redone the tips cause they where a bit suspect!alas I will get some photo's of gaurs offering up soon,no excuses,my photo gal is working tons of hours!a piece of ebony is on the way grwc
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Thanks for sorting that out, I'm manfully struggling to resist a whole list of jibes about English sporting equipment not holding up under pressure with what's going on in the Rugby and Cricket at the moment but then they'll be playing us soon in the Six Nations rugby championship so I'd probably best stay quiet >:D
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Got this marvelous beauty in along with some ocean spray shoots and a. Stave. Storng quick and a great example of honing a craft.
More pics to come.
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Glad you like it Tristan! Can't wait to see what you make outa' that yew. This trade was lots of fun. Thanks to all who participated, and to Andrew for putting it on. Cheers- Brendan
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That's a great looking bow Tristan!
Brendan, I hope your bow is serving you well. I sure would like to see a picture of you with it (hint, hint).
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It was my pleasure, I just hope that everyone is OK with their outcomes, especially with some of the guys having worked exceptionally hard and got so little to show for it (yet?). Its kinda getting close to having to think about a 2018 Trade, I'm going to wait till Easter to see if anyone steps up before I maybe throw my hat in the ring.
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Sorry gaur that I havn't posted!i hurt my shoulder badly a
T work and havn't been able to draw a bow for quite some time.
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Hope you recover by the time the weather warms up :)
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3rd degree collar bone separation.a injury from a few years back and.reagrevated! I