Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: chriss880 on March 14, 2010, 09:55:24 am

Title: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 14, 2010, 09:55:24 am
i made about 5 bows..... and they have all cracked i either make them and they are too thin and they strech good or they are too thick and they don"t... really want to make a bow that is good quality shoots really good and wood. and i do have a yew bush right outside of my house just to let you know. if someone could make me a step by step instructions... forever grateful! thanks!
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 14, 2010, 10:21:51 am
can someone please anwser the questian
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: acker on March 14, 2010, 10:29:27 am
here is the best buildalong I've ever seen.
If you don't know what to do at one certain step , just ask and make a photo ;)
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.msg54507.html#msg54507 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.msg54507.html#msg54507)

Gruß acker
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 14, 2010, 10:32:19 am
i don't have anything to steam it
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: mullet on March 14, 2010, 10:33:24 am
 Chris, you need to go to Jawge's site. It has all the information youwill need to build a great bow.
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 14, 2010, 10:35:12 am
what is the url?
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: mullet on March 14, 2010, 10:38:16 am
  I'm looking for it. sent you another PM
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: half eye on March 14, 2010, 10:38:34 am
Hey Chriss,
       I dont build stave bows, use quartersawn boards, and only make true self bows.....other wise would be glad to help you out.
Rich
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 14, 2010, 10:52:25 am
I'd say the yew bush should be left to beautify your yard. Thanks, Mullet. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 14, 2010, 12:35:19 pm
anyone have a yew bow buildalong?
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: Pat B on March 14, 2010, 01:06:48 pm
If you are wanting to learn to tiller and eventually to make a bow both of the sites posted above will give you plenty of information. When you get to a specific place and get stumped do as acker said and post a few pics of the problem and ask specific questions.
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: mullet on March 14, 2010, 02:12:30 pm
 A build along for any kind of bow is going to be about the same. You still have to learn the basics, or add number six to that list.
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: acker on March 14, 2010, 03:59:15 pm
Don't work with yew yet.
Start with  Hickory , Hazel , Ash , Elder.
Hazel or Elder, if it grows where you life , is a pretty good wood for starting .
You can dry it quick and the stave a normally very straight.


Gruß acker
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: Frode on March 14, 2010, 11:11:31 pm
Were your original bows from staves or boards?  If boards, what wood?
Frode
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: wildman on March 15, 2010, 10:11:51 am
The bowyers bible one is an invaluable source of information I have all but vol. 4 and use them all the time, hickory would be my choice for a first try
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 15, 2010, 10:27:53 am
can someone post a picture of a hickory tree so i can go look for it and my last bow that is working but i need a new glue if any of you know what glue to use it was oak
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: KenH on March 15, 2010, 11:47:12 am
Where do you live?  Hickory does not grow everywhere, and certain species live in certain areas.

Most folks are using Titebond II or Titebond III for laminating a back onto a core stave or board.  I though from your initial post you wanted to make a self bow - all one piece of wood.  Don't need any glue from that.
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: chriss880 on March 15, 2010, 11:55:09 am
i live in maryland and thanks i will use titebond
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: danielson on March 15, 2010, 05:28:43 pm
what you need to do is go to www.poorfolkbows.com.
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: HatchA on March 15, 2010, 06:42:07 pm
what you need to do is go to www.poorfolkbows.com.

Steve there is responsible for starting me rolling down this hill of bow-building...

And I'm sooooooooooo thankful for him :D
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: MarkR on March 16, 2010, 01:26:18 am
Chris, I'm no expert (about 50 bows), but I would go to the nearest Menards and get a 1x2 or 2x2 piece of red oak with the grain lines as straight as possible and follow whatever Jawge says on his site. I back most of my bows (even the hickory) with the jute that comes in a roll. I think it's mostly used in upholstering. (It's available at Wal-Mart around here and it even (somewhat) takes a stain.) Usually use Titebond II. For an inexpensive backing, it can make a difference in durability. Good luck.
Title: Re: First time making a bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on March 16, 2010, 03:34:27 pm
Definitely second the poorfolkbows.  This buildalong is the best, most thorough, easiest-to-understand I've come across.  It doesn't make a pretty bow, but it makes a bow.  And that's where you need to start.

http://poorfolkbows.com/oak.htm

Good luck!