Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sadiejane on February 23, 2011, 01:25:54 pm

Title: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: sadiejane on February 23, 2011, 01:25:54 pm

one of my brothers is an avid hunter and excellent archer.
tho ive only been making bows a short while(working on my 4th)
this brother is sorta "responsible" for my return to trad/primitive archery.
and i wanna make him a selfbow
he is 6' 4" tall
typically shoots anywhere from 50#-80# tho as he has gotten older he shoots lighter
his draw length is 32"(yup monkey arms that boy has...)
i have a nice long osage stave. any recommendations on how long i shld keep to?
any other suggestions would be much appreciated
thanks!

Title: Re: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: Pappy on February 23, 2011, 01:32:16 pm

Osage will take a lot but to be safe I would go with at least 68 to 70 n-n . Man he has got some arms. :) :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: artcher1 on February 23, 2011, 01:44:36 pm

If your brother isn't use to shooting selfbows then his draw length will probably be a couple inches shorter. Once he has a couple break on him even shorter ;D. Anyways, like Pappy mentioned, Osage will take a great bend. But the wood is very heavy, and more important, very elastic. Once you make an Osage bow over 66" long you'll probably start experiencing a lot of limb vibrations or hand shock. Stiffer/longer riser section helps. So does stiffening mid to outer limbs IMO......Art

Title: Re: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: sadiejane on February 23, 2011, 02:01:27 pm

alrighty then, gives me some food for thought and a plan to start....
thanks guys
your help is much appreciated

Title: Re: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: artcher1 on February 23, 2011, 02:58:31 pm

Well, as your bow gets longer you need to make it narrower to help keep the physical weight down. An 1 1/4" initial limb width works fine for the length you're looking at. Starting at about 6" past the fades start a straight side taper to 1/2" nocks.

Heat treating your bow will allow for less physical with long limbs.

Lengthening your riser (fade area) will shorten working portion of the limbs. Stiffening of reflexing the outer half of your limbs will help with limb vibration/deformation.

Longer bow = more string stretch = more vibration/shock. Low stretch string really helps here.

Just my version. Wait on some others and then pick the one you're most comfortable with and then get started. Good luck........Art

Title: Re: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: mullet on February 23, 2011, 03:02:43 pm

 I wouldn't make it longer than 66" if it was me. I have a long draw, too and I don't think I have a bow over 64".

Title: Re: bow for 50# @ 32"
Post by: Dvshunter on February 23, 2011, 09:19:57 pm

I agree with Mullet, I don't like osage bows over 66in. Luckily I have a short draw and make most of my bows between 56-60in. I recently made a 58in. that drew 60@29. Osage is some awesome wood.