Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: juniper junkie on March 09, 2011, 11:22:24 pm

Title: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 09, 2011, 11:22:24 pm
well, I finally picked out a nice yew stave to make your bow from. the sapwood is only 1/4" thick, the heartwood has a really nice redish color to it, nice clean stave no knots. this bow is 68" long. it will be in the american longbow style with 1 1/2" wide limbs. got it somewhat floor-tillered. it should handle your draw length easily.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Keenan on March 09, 2011, 11:27:05 pm
OHHHH that will be nice!  Who did you say that was for ::) ::) ;D >:D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 10, 2011, 12:26:10 am
sorry Keenan, the draw is a little long for you >:D this bow is for the bow trade. so  it could go to anybody that is on the trade.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: John K on March 10, 2011, 12:28:31 am
This looks nice  :o
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: ErictheViking on March 10, 2011, 01:32:26 am
looking good. its nice to see yew being made into something besides an ELB(even though I love them)
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Pat B on March 10, 2011, 01:47:41 am
Oooooo! I love yewwww! (as per Earnest T. Bass)   Looking forward to your progress on this JJ.  8)
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: LEGIONNAIRE on March 10, 2011, 03:22:52 am
Thanks JJ. LOL
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Elktracker on March 10, 2011, 04:05:26 am
 :o :o Looks like a great stave!! Ill be watching ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Pappy on March 10, 2011, 09:29:45 am
Looks like a good start,looking forward to the progess reports. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: hillbilly61 on March 10, 2011, 09:51:27 am
 I knew "Yew" would draw my name :o ::) ;D Nice start :)
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Parnell on March 10, 2011, 11:31:00 am
Beautiful stave for sure. 
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Mangeur de lard on March 10, 2011, 02:04:23 pm
It's a lucky chap that is going to receive that nice piece of Taxus.

Cheers
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 10, 2011, 05:30:53 pm
OK, since I planned on heating the tips and reflexing them some, I thought I could do a static recurve. what do you think you would want???? ???
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: deerhunter97370 on March 10, 2011, 06:06:54 pm
If it was up to me I would order the static recurves. Can't wait to see everyones final products.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: snag on March 10, 2011, 06:23:21 pm
What a beauty.  :o     I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: gstoneberg on March 11, 2011, 10:07:54 am
What a beautiful piece of bow wood!  Can't wait to see how it comes out.

George
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Mark Anderson on March 11, 2011, 04:19:22 pm
Great looking stave. Somebody just got lucky!!!
Oh, and static recurve would be great on that one!
Mark
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: bubby on March 11, 2011, 09:32:06 pm
I say build something that you would love to shoot, and whoever gets it will to, and everyone likes curves, Bub
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: sailordad on March 11, 2011, 10:48:14 pm
I say build something that you would love to shoot, and whoever gets it will to, and everyone likes curves, Bub

bubby, i like the way you think.  ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 11, 2011, 11:29:33 pm
well, I decided to flip the tips some. so here is a pic of where I am at so far. will probably lose 40% or so of the reflex working in the bow, but still should have a good profile.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Elktracker on March 11, 2011, 11:45:45 pm
lookin good ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: deerhunter97370 on March 12, 2011, 03:04:45 am
nice
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 18, 2011, 12:56:52 am
the bow is coming along nicely. got the long string on it, worked it out to 24" bending really nice, this wood has a lot of resin in it and the bow feels really elastic, should be a good bow. will post more pics after the weekend. holding the reflex really well, hasnt taken any set.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Pappy on March 18, 2011, 08:24:00 am
Begining to look like a bow. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Blacktail on March 18, 2011, 11:24:44 pm
that is a great peice of wood and the work is coming nicely...it will look goovey when done..john
Title: Re: started on your bow today...more pics
Post by: juniper junkie on March 23, 2011, 01:20:47 am
I have been working the bow on a long string drawing out to 28", doing fine, took a little set in mid limb area, but I expected it would. I put the short string on today, OMG!! this is still really strong, should have wore a cup!!! finally got the string on and it stretched some. here is the first brace pic, tiller is pretty close. next pic is pulled to about 18". put tip overlays on out of quilted sappelle. will narrow the limbs some to hit my target weight. they are 1 1/2" wide through mid-limb. the bow is 68" long. once I get the weight down some, I will start shooting it in.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Elktracker on March 23, 2011, 01:25:52 am
Man you do some great work! lookin good ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 23, 2011, 01:34:08 am
hmmmm.. looking at the pics, I think maybe the mid-limb area needs to bend more?? whatcha think?
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Elktracker on March 23, 2011, 01:45:28 am
Man with the reflexed tips I have a hard time telling but im curious to know what others think about the tiller, when I first looked at your new pictures I forgot you fliped the tips and was thinking man thats stiff in the tips untill I scrolled up and saw your other pics ;D I think it looks nice someone is going to be stoked to get that bow I know I would
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Keenan on March 23, 2011, 02:09:48 am
 Looking really good Dave.I would agree with Elktracker,  With as much reflex that the unbraced profile shows  I think you are bending fairly good mid limb.  It looks straight mid limb, but when you consider how much it had already bent there from relaxed I'd say your fairly close. When can I shoot it? ;D ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Michael C. on March 23, 2011, 02:23:18 am
Oh yeah it's so hard looking at all of the bows being made and wondering which one you might be getting, if I get any of these I will probably fall over. Great looking bow you have going and whoever gets it is going to be mucho pleased.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 23, 2011, 02:49:29 am
I think that it will unload more at the longer draw. will try to get a pic at full 28".  Keenan, when you can draw it 28" then you can shoot it ;D it is at least 75# now. but I do like to watch those veins in your neck get really big, and your eyes bug out, so I guess you can give it a try >:D ;D ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 29, 2011, 12:56:18 am
I got the bow tillered out to 28" looking pretty good, maybe need more bend mid-limb. still way above target weight which is good, heating out a small twist in one limb tonight. here is a pic on the tiller tree at 26-27"
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Keenan on March 29, 2011, 01:13:08 am
That is looking awesome Dave, I think I'll pass on the vain popping.  ;D  Can you post that unbraced pic right under your full draw. I think that would help see what is already bending.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 29, 2011, 01:20:46 am
I have some narrowing to do to the limbs especially towards the tips that should help it balance out, looks like maybe too much stress in lower limbs by fades? it feels really good and elastic, although it is 68" long which helps. thanks Keenan, I know the limb tips are stiff and I want to keep them that way, but maybe more bend at start of reflex? mid limb.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 29, 2011, 11:04:35 pm
worked on the bow some today, got the limbs bending a little more gentle through mid limb. narrowed the tips and roughed in the handle. it is now 65#@28" need to be around 55#. the draw pic is at 27".
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: John K on March 29, 2011, 11:27:20 pm
looks great, i hope it finds it's way to Wisconsin  ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Elktracker on March 29, 2011, 11:44:00 pm
Ya that looks awsome but shipping would be cheaper to Tillamook Oregon ;D :o
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: gstoneberg on March 30, 2011, 12:21:22 am
It'd feel so much better in Texas...
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Keenan on March 30, 2011, 12:30:14 am
Heck with the shipping just drop it by on your way to work!  >:D  Looking great Dave.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 30, 2011, 12:30:36 am
you're getting warmer ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Keenan on March 30, 2011, 01:00:51 pm
 :o :o :o Witch one of us is getting warmer? ::) ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Mark Anderson on March 30, 2011, 04:28:57 pm
Man that is looking good!  I think the limbs look like they are bending pretty evenly, from the unbraced profile. Can't wait to see it finished!
Mark
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Parnell on March 30, 2011, 04:53:55 pm
Nothin wrong with 65#, heck you can send it to me in S. Florida, I'll give her a fine home!
Looks gorgeous.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: snag on March 30, 2011, 07:34:16 pm
All those guys like Saxton and Stevenson would shoot 75#+ selfbows....have we degraded this far to where we can't pull this weight?

That is one fine looking bow. It looks like it will really be a snappy shooter. 
That would be my ultimate bow...Oregon yew wood for an Oregon boy...put some Oregon douglas fir arrows with it and I'd be
hard to call in for dinner! haha
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on March 31, 2011, 12:52:56 am
well, Keenan is definately not warm :D I was meaning the boys in the south :-X I went to the indoor range and shot about 60-70 arrows through this bow today, didnt feel like 65# really smooth draw maybe because of the length. shot really well great arrow flight. will need to take in the handle area some unless the person that is getting the bow has big hands??  snag...I have another bow that is over 65#s you can try out if you are feeling manly ;D I had a guy a few years ago that stopped by my shop, he had been told I buy old bows. he had two osage bows one was 105# the other was 85# this guy was about 5' 6" tall and was 80 years old. he said he used to shoot these regularly. he said he had the strings for them at home and would get the strings and bring back the bows so I could see them strung, he never came back. too bad, I would have liked to see him string them.  I guess they were tougher back then. my problem with high poundage bows is that I tend to short draw them and dont hit my anchor every time.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: snag on March 31, 2011, 02:31:43 am
Yeah, I was just kidding. I couldn't shot a 75#+ consistant enough to do me or the game I would be hunting.
60# is all I'm good for! haha  But I would like to someday try it.
Back to the thread though..sorry.
Really love the design of this bow.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: bubby on April 03, 2011, 04:28:37 am
that's looking good, wish it was coming my way ;), Bub
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on April 06, 2011, 01:52:55 am
got the bow close to finished. put a handle on it today and took it to the indoor range, shot about 100 arrows through it, shoots really nice, not real snappy because of the length but very stable and easy to shoot. it has taken some set which I expected but still has a nice profile, may reduce the limb thickness in the last 10" to gain some more speed. it is between 55 and 60#s I will get some full draw pics in the next day or so.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Elktracker on April 06, 2011, 03:04:49 am
Man that looks awsome! you sure did that stave justice, very well done!!

Josh
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Mark Anderson on April 06, 2011, 06:37:18 pm
Again, this is looking real good! I do believe a yew bow would look real good in Missouri!
Mark
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: John K on April 06, 2011, 06:42:53 pm
I like it !  :)
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Markus on April 06, 2011, 08:26:14 pm
Looks very good, like the tiller. Markus.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Lee Slikkers on April 06, 2011, 08:28:04 pm
Man that is a sweet looking stick...you are gonna make somebody a very happy person.  
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: snag on April 06, 2011, 10:37:20 pm
Love the sapwood and the lines are so sleek. Just looks like it would perform well. How far in did you cut the shelf?
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on April 07, 2011, 12:26:34 am
thanks guys. I cut the shelf in only about 1/4", just a little to help with arrow flight. by relieving the width in the shelf area it helps in that you dont have to go too light in spine to achieve good arrow flight.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: dwardo on April 07, 2011, 07:37:30 am
Man thats nice.. :)
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: jonathan creason on April 07, 2011, 10:17:50 am
You did a great job on that one.  I'm sure whoever you drew is going to be stoked.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Parnell on April 07, 2011, 01:02:35 pm
Looks beautiful, they'll definitely be stoked to get that!
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: Michael C. on April 07, 2011, 07:35:03 pm
Great looking bow, I'm sure whoever it is for will enjoy shooting it.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: ErictheViking on April 07, 2011, 10:23:13 pm
braced pic is very very nice. love the whole thing. can't seem to get my fill of bows made out of yew.  well done.
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: juniper junkie on April 08, 2011, 02:35:37 am
thanks for the kind word everyone. I am getting close to finishing this bow, I have put 3 heavy coats of tung oil on it. I will let it dry over the weekend, then steel wool, letter it and get ready to ship it out to the new owner, who just happens to be...... ??? ??? ;D
Title: Re: started on your bow today
Post by: bubby on April 08, 2011, 02:47:09 pm
who just happens to be; not left handed :'(
seriously, thats a beauty, Bub