Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Stringman on February 02, 2013, 11:00:23 pm

Title: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: Stringman on February 02, 2013, 11:00:23 pm
I don't know if I should leave it or try to get the weight up a bit. I worked the tiller over today and I'm at 35# now. I have been dealing with flaws in the wood the whole way thru. So I'm really just glad that it made it to the end. It is 68" ttt and the handle was naturally deflexed. My first thought is to pike it a bit, but I'm not sure if that's gonna look right.  Any suggestions?

(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/DA969307-311E-4F29-BD33-81C4942F11CC-2857-000003CB1454E052_zps5d044e79.jpg)
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/43EA77C7-E78E-42EB-B04B-C0AFAF21DD37-2857-000003CB07CC7103_zpsf320c7d4.jpg)
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s670/cotton7611/48DF13EB-9256-4F59-A999-7CAE8F01512B-2857-000003CB1A9750A2_zps2ed42170.jpg)

Scott
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: bow101 on February 02, 2013, 11:06:22 pm
Lol. I'm not the right guy to comment on the physical aspects, but I wanted to say what a beautiful piece of osage ya got there. 8)
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: ionicmuffin on February 02, 2013, 11:08:32 pm
heat treating? that looks really beautiful on osage. Another option is piking and then maybe inducing a bit more reflex? Of course, whats your goal out of this piece? shooter or hunter? this could hunt small game and maybe even fish
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: SLIMBOB on February 02, 2013, 11:09:56 pm
I've read where others have advised to move on to the next one rather than pike an under weight bow.  I say pike it if you want it heavier.  May take a little more set.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: H Rhodes on February 02, 2013, 11:19:23 pm
  I hate it it when they come in just under weight like that.  Looks like it was a pretty challenging stave.  I couldn't say what I would do.  It is easy to make suggestions when it's somebody else's bow, but when you have been pulling every trick in the book to get one to hold together it's  a tuff call.   If you aren't liking the way it shoots and it's gonna hang on the hook and not get used, then go for it.  I would probably pike it a little. 
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: Pat B on February 02, 2013, 11:44:16 pm
Leave it like it is. It's a well tillered bow from a difficult stave. If it is too light for you I'm sure you can find someone to give it to.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: bubby on February 02, 2013, 11:59:14 pm
I second Pat, there's allways somebody that  need's a bow
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: seabass on February 03, 2013, 12:05:16 am
i am with the others.i say leave it.give it to a deserving youngster.it is a nice bow btw.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: rossfactor on February 03, 2013, 12:45:02 am
It is well tillered.

Whats the draw length? Being that its is 68 inches long, I could see you piking the bow down to 66 or even 64 depending on draw length, and carefully re-tillering.  However, before you do anything, I'd round those edges out a bit more.

But as, advised, sometimes its best to move on and stop tinkering.

Gabe
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: sleek on February 03, 2013, 07:39:34 am
In my experience, 4 inches total pike ( 2 of each limb ) and a heat treat equals out to about an 8 lb gain in weight, FWI.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: TRACY on February 03, 2013, 08:52:43 am
Sinew. Sinew and take a little off. It all depends on what YOU are wanting.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: Stringman on February 03, 2013, 10:00:37 am
Well I've heard pike it, heat treat, add more reflex, sinew, or leave it. All the very same thoughts I've had, just hard to make up my mind. The problem is like what Howard alluded to, you invest so much effort into a tough piece of wood then it comes in light and it's hard to throw in the towel. I had a very pretty snake skin sent to me especially for this bow and just don't want to waste it on such a light bow.

Boy, decisions, decision!!

Scott
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: sleek on February 03, 2013, 10:33:46 am
Well here is one bit of advice that I would follow.... Shoot the snot out of that bow before putting on them skins. Like 3 to 500 shots before risking a snake skin on it.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: Stringman on February 03, 2013, 11:09:14 am
Very true.

Scott
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: coaster500 on February 03, 2013, 11:14:03 am
Leave it ....  Looks great!!!
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: tattoo dave on February 03, 2013, 11:36:06 am
My vote is to leave it. Save the skins for the bow. It turned out awesome, as is!!

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: Gordon on February 03, 2013, 11:38:47 am
You've got plenty of length to work with. You could easily take off a couple of inches to gain some weight if you wanted to.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 03, 2013, 11:47:38 am
You've got plenty of length to work with. You could easily take off a couple of inches to gain some weight if you wanted to.

My thoughts as well.
Title: Re: Increase weight, or leave it?
Post by: koan on February 03, 2013, 12:04:15 pm
The bow looks good the way it is to me.... Its hard to call em done when they dont turn out like ya planned tho :). I would make it my backyard shooter or rabbit thumper. These light bows are a great way to get a person new to archery shootin....jmo.... Brian