Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Papa Matt on September 15, 2008, 05:13:43 pm
-
Brothers, I am in the beginning stages of making a honey locust helicopter bow. I assume no explanation needed about what I mean, the bow is actually straight tip to tip, just the limbs are twisted like a helicopter's rotor blades. I don't really want to try to heat treat it and take it out, because it's not that the wood has twisted, but that this is how it split, it didn't split straight. So to try to heat it and take it out, would actually be to twist it backwards unnaturally. If this is how the bow wants to be, so be it. But I have a question: Any brothers ever sinewed and snake skinned a helicopter bow? Is it recommendable?
Thanks for any advice!
~~Papa Matt
-
Hmmmm...I dunno. Some of the juniper I've cut kinda looked like that after decrowning...but I just tossed them into the fire. IMO, it's not worth the time it takes to do a good sinew job. I'd put the sinew on a better stave.
-
what the heck, give it a try and then we will all know.
-
Personally I wouldn't waste the sinew. But everybody knows if it ain't yeller I'm a little prejudice. And I've heard Honey Locust makes a marginal bow.
-
hey matt readin this and thinkin about it a bit i got an idea like everyone says sinew cost money and hard to get then i thought why not put some combed flax on it tim baker and me talked a bit about it in another post tim says it s like fiberglass but iv comebed it out real real thin almost hair thin didnt seem that way whem i did it like that but it s cheap and if she blows who care s ya aint out of no big pocket change haha brock
-
Where you getting the Flax Brock?? I am interested in this one....
-
Thanks for the advice, brothers. I think you're right. Probably otta save that sinew and snake skin for a BL shortbow. Any of ya recommend BL for short (perhaps plains style) bows? The BL I have is short, only about 52", and I know how it likes to chrysal. Any advice on this one?
~~Papa Matt
-
Matt, I would steam that HL stave and clamp it to a reflexed form and don't be shy with the clamps. Save your sinew unless you absolutely just want to use it. Propellar in the limbs is doable, but might as well make it easier to tiller. JMO
Tracy
-
Propellor twisted staves make fine bows. The hickory I'h hunting with now is prop twisted. Just look at the tiller from both sides. Here's one I made a few years ago.
http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/aerobow.html
-
So am I hearing this right....a little propeller won't hurt cast or performance much if properly tillered of course? The reason I ask is the 60" osage I am working on has a little bit of propeller.Maybe a 3 inch section that twisst about 1/4" at the confluence of the inner third and middle third of the limb that was deflexed.The limb comes back to normally the rest of the way to the tips. I have already steamed and heat treated to get rid of deflex on that limb and to align the tips so I really did'nt want to have to mess with the prop twist if I could keep from it. . That is such a critical section in terms of not getting a flat spot etc... that I was unsure. Danny
-
Right on, George. Thanks for the link. Have you ever sinewed a propeller bow like this though? Would you recommend it?
~~Matt
-
No, Papa Mat, I would not sinew it fearing that the sinew would add reflex and thus more strain to the limbs. I would go with it as is. I suggest checking the tiller from both sides. I also suggest you leave it an inch or 2 longer. BTW I've never worked with HL but have done some prop bows from BL. Jawge
-
BTW can you estimate how many degrees of prop twist you have in each limb? Jawge
-
I'd say I'm looking at roughly 15 degrees. I'd take a pic but I haven't yet advanced that far technologically.
-
page 210 TBB4. its a propeller twist bow made bay gary davis. the chapter is on character bows.