Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: volarion on August 15, 2010, 01:11:42 am
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hello I have been lurking and reading posts fo about week now and I am going to try to start making my own bows :) I was wondering if I could make a good bow in a pyramid bow style with cable backing and raised struts near the tips (roughly similar to orcbows design (anyone have a schematic for that thing btw???)) and was also wondering if I could do it with the black walnut and maple wood I have piles of (maybe a laminate of the 2) I also have pine but could get other wood as needed any ideas how I would go about doing this??? also how hard this would be for a first timer to do???
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not sure about that design but maple will make a decent bow, pine is definitly not choice bow wood, and black walnut can be done.
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If you are new to building bows, skip the cable backing and all the foofoo stuff and concentrate on the most critical skill...tillering. The pyramid bow is a great place to start because tillering on it is not too difficult and you will still do some learning. Maple pyramid bow, ought be a fast little dart slinger.
Start with 2" wide at the fadeouts and go down to a bit less than 1/2 inch tips. That oughta be good and safe, yet functional. And save the shavings...dry maple makes great firestarter, almost as good as osage shavings.
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For a first timer I'd suggest you first read all of George Tsoukalas' website! After that start making a bow that will help you learn to tiller a bow correctly. After you have accomplished this you can build any style bow you like. Until then you will have a hard time achieving the orcbow you want to build.
IMO! ;)
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only 2"??? why so small wouldnt a bit large make it have more power or am I reading into this wrong (my bowyers bibles dont get in till nex week)
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2 wide oughta be plenty. And I gotta echo Pat B's advice sending you to go see George's site. The man is a wealth of information!
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Ya cant go wrong listening to these guys, and of your wood choices (maple...walnut) either will make a really good bow as will walnut backed maple. I recently made a little Chippewa single scalloped "d" bow from black walnut, it's 50" draws 27 and has a weight of better than 60#....results are equal for maple self bows...and the walnut backed maple. They are good bow woods.
rich
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Look at the top of the "How To" section for George's site!
2" is plenty for a pyramid bow but you can build it wider if preferred.
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also how do you determine the length of a bowstave your making for yourself???
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Double your draw length and add 10% to 20% for the bow length. 20% for a newby! ;D
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thank you any and all advise is greatly appreciated and when Im done I WILL post pictures (may take a while Im only in town every other week
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4est trekker is the man to talk to for the pyramid bow.He has a great build along and is a very nice guy.
Keep posting and guys here will keep you pointed in the right direction.
Jeff