Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: coaster500 on September 23, 2011, 12:19:59 am
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First off I'd like to thank you folks for the encouragement on my first project.... it turned out light but held together and is a whole lot of fun to shoot... Thank you
My second attempt will be a Kentucky Coffee tree stave. It is much longer than the Mulberry I just finished but there is very little information on the wood. It was cut about 7 months ago and feels fairly heavy though I don't have a large frame of reference in this dept being a novice.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave015.jpg)
The early rings are rather thin but there is a fat one about four rings in that runs the length of the stave. Should I be happy with one of the thin rings or go for the fat one? I think there is plenty of wood if I go for it?
The ring on end
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave007.jpg)
The other end
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave010.jpg)
Ring in the center of the stave
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave005.jpg)
The stave has a tiny bit of twist and a bit of rollercoaster on the back but it is fairly straight.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave013.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave001.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeBeanTreeStave002.jpg)
I am looking for design ideas.... How would you use this stave? I have no idea about dimensions and design for this wood....
Thank you in advance for the feedback....
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Nice looking stave. I don't know much about Kentuck Coffee Wood however, I've heard mention of it several times as of late on this site. Some of the guys will chime in on this.
Curious though, what's wrong with the top ring? Aside from the sealer on top, does it violate any other rings? If not, I'd draw my bow out on the stave as is. The 4th ring is a bit thicker, yes. But, you are not limited to the thickest ring. Just a good ring. Why chance it, I say.
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Matt the ring is violated in two spots. I may be able to still use it this way as the violations are near the tip. I don't know anything about this wood and thought that the fat ring and the fat ones after it might be structurally better, but again I know nothing?
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if they are violated then chase a thicker non violated ring, it cant hurt to be safe
noel
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That is a nice looking piece of wood! On a side note how do you like your razor edge making system? I've only tryd my new one a couple times so far so good ;)
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Good looking stave,Like Matt ,Don't know much about the wood but have heard it make a very good bow. :) Can't wait to see your progress. :) :)
Pappy
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I was hoping someone would help me with the design. There has to be somebody out there that has build a bow with this wood?
soy, I love it. I am sharpening impaired and it works great. This system puts a polish on a blade edge like nothing else...
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coaster PM Timo he is the only one i have seen build out of coffee tree
the one below is the only one i remember hope this helps
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http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,18322.0.html
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Thanks Ken.... what a great looking bow. Looks like Timo backed it for the Camo effect and looks not for protection. Makes me want to put the stave away and come back to it when my skill level improves so I can do it justice. I don't think I will ever reach that level, amazing bow!!
Wow very nice!!!
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Should I try to straighten this or tiller around all the woopydoooo's
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStave006.jpg)
This stave seems to be a bit more seasoned than the Mulberry.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStave003.jpg)
This end is alot straighter...
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStave007.jpg)
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I personally would leave that little kink in and call it character. I hate deflex and twist and always take them out. The tips on that bow look to be even with the handle.
That was a beautiful stave. Your bow is looking good. I'm anxious to see how it turns out.
George
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Nice looking stave.
A straight stave is easier to tiller, but that's only a little undulation, just bear it in mind when you are tillering else you'll think that deflex bend is a hint of hinge.
It just depends how impatient you are, as the straightening will take some time. If you take the deflex out and leave the reflex, you'll then feel like putting some matching reflex into the straight limb, and so on and so forth....
Del
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I was going to say what Del said but he beat me to it :) Good looking stave so far...
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I know you haven't started tillering yet,but just a heads up,you'll need to smooth out the transition area from handle to fade into the limb. You don't want that step in there and you don't want such a steep straight angle into the limb. It should curve less and less of an angle and blend down into the limb.
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I'd leave it too. Have fun. Jawge
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George the tips line up good...
Del I am very impatient. I have to force myself to stop, if I don't I'd just end up with shavings!!
blackhawk, thanks I'll feather the fades into the limb before I put any pressure there...
I think I'll try it with the bumps... hope it works?
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Worked a bit more on the Grip and Fades tonight...
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStaveGripandfades003.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStaveGripandfades004.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStaveGripandfades001.jpg)
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That looks really nicely blended in.
I find the fade area is tricky, often when tillering if I blend it too gently I can't get enough bend near the handle, it's easy to then end up with a squareish tiller rather than roundish.
By that I mean the centre third of the bow is straight, then there is a 90 degree hinge and the tips then go straight down... obviously an exageration, but you know what I mean ::).
It's one reason why I decrowned the last stave bow I made ('Twister'),
That's the great thing about ELBs of course, no real grip to worry about.
I'm terribly impatient ,it's my biggest fault (I know 'cos Mrs Cat tells me ;)) bow making is great for teaching us a bit of patience.
Del
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Thank you for your comments. This being #2 in attempts made by a desk jockey, they are greatly appreciated. It has been pointed out to me by another bowyer that I probably should have waited to do the handle details last in case I decided to flip the bow?
Another nugget for my bucket....
I sometimes have to work until 8PM in the evenings and if I steal a few minutes in the shop working or planning the next stage, well it has a very calming effect on me. You're right it is making me slow down and teaching me patience :)
Mr. Cat your "Twister" is an amazing bow.... I have gone back and looked at it several times and still can't get over the tiller with all that twist!! It’s one of those things you must take in a little at a time, a beautiful blend of mechanics and nature. Congratulations Sir…..
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Last night after work I visited the stave again and after staring at it for a while I changed my mind and decide to find out how to straighten one. I played with a few clamps and wedges and arrived here.
Should I stop here and start tillering?
The stave actually ended up with about 3/4" of reflex :)
Before
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/KentuckyCoffeeStave006.jpg)
After
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave001.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave002.jpg)
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Looks good to me. If you used dry heat then let her sit for a couple days to rehydrate, then tiller that bad boy out into a arrow flinging machine. ;)
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Thank you ..... I didn't think about having to re-hydrate the wood? I did this Sunday night with dry heat. Will it be workable Wednesday on my day off?
Oops there's my impatience showing again :-\
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It should be good to go by then(as long as u don't live in a desert) ;)
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As you can see in the pictures the string is not centered anymore... I'm not sure what has made it so but how do I get it centered again? Should I tiller the bow from the strong side? Heat and bend it?
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave004.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave005.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave006.jpg)
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Good progress! Looks like the tiller is coming around. The string alignment issue may be from the heat. You could try and correct it a small amount and leave the final centering for while you finish up the string grooves. (by cutting one side in further than the other)
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Well got the string centered and I'm trying to get the bend right.... Not there yet. This Kentucky Coffee Tree stave seems very tough and has not given me one indication that it is not sound.... I'm about 46@26.5 right now so well within my target weight (45 to 50@28). There are some spots in this stave where the wood is much harder and resists tools a bit. I have to be careful not to eat wood around the hard spots. The tiller tree is leaning and gives a bit of a misread in the picture. I shot it a few times, not a full draw of course.... it's hard to know for sure but seem very quick.... I’ll keep posting and if some one seen a goof let me know.
Thank you
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave009.jpg)
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another picture.... The marks on the tree are wrong it's 26.5"s in this picture....
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Heatstraighteningastave010.jpg)
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Added a little Cheese :) I build my own deep sea fishing jigs and had some blue polish so it's a blue eyed snake...
I used a piece of walnut burl for the tips. It was very brittle I hope it doesn't fall appart?
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/CheesySnakeEyes001.jpg)
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The bow is narrower than I planned but the stave kind of led me there.... I hope it holds up? I shot the bow about 35/40 times today and it really pops an arrow down the pipe. This bow is much quicker than I expected and the wood has a very solid feel to it. It tillered out to a finished 48.5@28 and it is 66"s end to end and 63+ nock to nock.... The bows final dementions are 1" thru the handle (no perceptible bend) 1 3/8's at the fades and out to 6"s then tapers down to 3/8"s at the tips.... The bow took about 1 3/4"s of set (I can't seem to figure out how to keep a bow straight) I've got two coats of tru-oil on it and am trying to find the right leather for the grip. The tips are Poplar and Walnut Burl... So far the bow seems to very strong and this Kentucky Coffee wood looks to be very forgiving. It has to be to work for me :) I'll try to finish Thursday and post finished pictures and maybe a short shooter video. Thanks for the help and suggestions.....
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/CheesySnakeEyes005.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/CheesySnakeEyes007.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/CheesySnakeEyes003.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/CheesySnakeEyes010.jpg)
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Looks great! Very nice work.
George
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Done with Bow #2
I won't be able to shoot it for a few day but I will try to post a video when I do...
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Finished001.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Finished002.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Finished008.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Finished010.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/Finished006.jpg)
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Great looking bow you made there
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Nice looking bow,very well done. :)
Pappy
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Good job, very nice bow with an uncommon wood.
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Very nice work on that, good job!
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That turned out very nice.
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Thank you for your suport...
I am suprised it held up so well.... it is a bit narrower than I planned but I felt the wood could handle it. I wish I could go out and use it but work :(
The wood on the back of this bow is as featureless as brown glass (no grain) and screams for some snake skins but the belly shows lots of grain detail. I need to find some skins (another lesson) for the back but for now I want to see if it's going to hold up. There are some things I would do different but again I was happy to hit my weight and keep #2 from the kindling box….along with you folks bow#2 was another good teacher .....
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Thanks again Eric for the Gizmo,,,, between the Gizmo and my paint program, it's not perfect but I hit weight and it seems to shoot well....
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Finished012tillerpaintprogram.jpg)
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very nice looking bow, ive always wanted to try this wood,, by the way that muley is nice too... :)
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really nice looking bow, my only suggestion would be to use more of an angle when filing in the nocks, they look to be almost 90 deg. instead of closer to 45 deg., but as i said pretty bow, Bub
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Nice job! Tiller looks good to me
Good observation bubby
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Thank you everyone...
bubby, I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out.... You're right they do look straight.... Opps, It will probably stress the string a bit much. I hope it doesn't break?
Thank you for pointing it out..... I get in a hurry sometimes...........
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robustus, that old Muley hardly had a tooth in his head and was very old but it took a seven and a half hour sneak to get in on him for a shot. He was a smart old bugger !!
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coaster if you want you can nock the corners off the groves and just rub some more finish on it, Bub
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what a bow
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bubby, I'll do just that... again thank you :)
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beautiful bow ! , i do believe your a natural
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Thank you Dazv, Ken.... Natural or Lucky?
What's the saying I'd rather be lucky than good :)
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This was fun.... Kentucky shoots pretty smooth (maybe just a Kentucky thing :)...
Video #1
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/?action=view¤t=Finished016.mp4
Video #2
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Bow%20project%202%20Kentucky%20Coffee/?action=view¤t=Finished015.mp4