Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Ifrit617 on May 14, 2013, 08:22:02 pm
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Hey guys,
Haven't posted any of my work in a while since I've had finals, and after 6 hours of testing yesterday, I needed to clear my head. I headed over to Lowes and picked up a piece of thick walled schedule 40 PVC for $1.56 and decided to try making a bow out of it. This is what I got.
48" t2t before recurving
43# @ 28"
This little bow is putting out my 500 grain hunting arrows at 149 fps on average! It has no stack whatsoever to 28" and is unaffected by the elements. Total cost was less than $2 and it only took 45 minutes to make!
I would have no hesitation whatsoever taking this bow turkey or deer hunting, and I think I am going to use it for bow fishing this summer since it is dirt cheap and waterproof. Plus it is so short so I can shoot it out of my kayak!
Here it is next to a yard stick for size comparison. Top limb on left.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/ifrit617/100_1696_zps622cb64b.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/ifrit617/media/100_1696_zps622cb64b.jpg.html)
Here is a shot of the string centered perfectly down the handle.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/ifrit617/100_1697_zps8d70a4f6.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/ifrit617/media/100_1697_zps8d70a4f6.jpg.html)
Full Draw, Arrow is 29" to base of tip. Compare this draw to some of James Parker's Horn bows and they are remarkably similar!
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/ifrit617/100_1701_zps5d9f5603.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/ifrit617/media/100_1701_zps5d9f5603.jpg.html)
Immediately after after 200 shots
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/ifrit617/100_1706_zps1f573c23.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/ifrit617/media/100_1706_zps1f573c23.jpg.html)
30 yard shot. White dot is size of a quarter.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/ifrit617/100_1702_zps9d16bcda.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/ifrit617/media/100_1702_zps9d16bcda.jpg.html)
For all you doubters this is where the shot was taken from. First try, very little arrow drop.
(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb416/ifrit617/100_1703_zpsd9461862.jpg) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/ifrit617/media/100_1703_zpsd9461862.jpg.html)
Overall, this was an incredibly fun project, and it gave me a "horn" bow in less than an hours work that shoots just as good as many self bows. So for you purists out there broaden your horizons some and have some fun, this was sure a blast to make! I have to pretty it up some with spray paint, but I wanted to post it.
Jon
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I'm liking it, its not traditional, but then again, its not meant to be. Nice work!
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That's cool. What size PVC, 3/4 or 1"?
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yep they shoot good huh? I made about 20 this winter...Quick and easy..
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That's cool. What size PVC, 3/4 or 1"?
I think so too! It is 3/4", but is thicker walled then the standard schedule 40. It is sold as 5' sections at my local Lowes.
Jon
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yep they shoot good huh? I made about 20 this winter...Quick and easy..
For sure. I was really surprised at this little bows performance. For 2 bucks and an hour of work you can't beat it.
Jon
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I've made a couple take-downs..And lots with tapered tips..I even made a few in the 65-70#@28 range..Amazing stuff!
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OK, how much does it cost? does one even have to tiller it?
I mean if you sold one
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OK, how much does it cost? does one even have to tiller it?
I mean if you sold one
I wouldn't sell this one, its still not perfect. I plan on making more. You tiller them by using a flattening jig. It automatically tillers itself if you do it right. Go on youtube and look up the backyard bowyer. HE is the master of PVC bows.
Jon
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Hey 617 what did you heat it with? and how did you make the curves? I've seen Nicks TBYB vids he is king of pvc. but I really like that two fletch arrow!! I'd like to see how you made them!! I have some schedule 80 pvc I have to try that JeffW
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Feeling the need to sharpen my Pitch Fork and re Pitch my Torch...
But beyond these Primitive Urges, I like it!
I guess you could call it Post Apocalyptic Primitive..? :)
-gus
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8) 8)
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I've made several and got great results as well, didn't go that shot thou, nice one jon
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BTW, can you use something like a propane torch or boiling water or hot water? I don't have a heat gun... and I cant get one either.
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BTW, can you use something like a propane torch or boiling water or hot water? I don't have a heat gun... and I cant get one either.
A heat guns probably the easiest way, they are pretty cheap. But if you can't get one of those, I think you can use a stove as long as your careful not to burn the PVC... Heating the pipe releases some fumes though, so I would only do it outside if it were me.
Jon
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Nice
I've made 4 or 5 PVC recurves, 2 out of schedule 80. One drew about 55 and the other a little
over 60. >:D However, as you guys know, the more you stress a bow the more likly it is to break and the 60lbd (horse style) bow broke right in the handle pretty epicly.
I also broke another Schedule 40 that drew about 50lbs because it was barely flattened. This reasults in a high crown and a rounded belly and it just can't take the stress. So, here's the lesson. These bows will work great, just make sure you take the time to heat and flatten them sufficiently. :)
I plan on making several more. The short length/long draw thing is very alluring to me. :)
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Nice
I've made 4 or 5 PVC recurves, 2 out of schedule 80. One drew about 55 and the other a little
over 60. >:D However, as you guys know, the more you stress a bow the more likly it is to break and the 60lbd (horse style) bow broke right in the handle pretty epicly.
I also broke another Schedule 40 that drew about 50lbs because it was barely flattened. This reasults in a high crown and a rounded belly and it just can't take the stress. So, here's the lesson. These bows will work great, just make sure you take the time to heat and flatten them sufficiently. :)
I plan on making several more. The short length/long draw thing is very alluring to me. :)
So when they break, how likely am I to end up with a PVC pipe stuck thru me eye socket?
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well, most of the time they just fold, sometimes they snap, but that's usually when its super over stressed and high crowned.
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Just as likely as it would be with any bow. I usually can't my bows and I was doing such when both broke, both in the handle so the wrap slowed it down some.
I haven't had one fold but I've had one just take a good bit of set so I reprofiled it and it was allright.
Mine were around 10-15lbs above average but I think just adding a few extra inches to distribute the stress better (like you would with a wood bow) would contribute to the safety and longevity of the bow. If you flatten your bow sufficiently and don't burn it, there's no reason to worry any more than with any other bow. :)
I also barely weigh 150 so I find it helpfull to have another person to stand on the jig to form the bow to ensure considerable flattness.
Also, if you are worried about the fumes, I am mostly sure that you only get the worst harmfull fumes when you burn the pvc (which ruins the bow anyway), just lightly melting it doesn't produce nearly as much, if any.
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Nice
I've made 4 or 5 PVC recurves, 2 out of schedule 80. One drew about 55 and the other a little
over 60. >:D However, as you guys know, the more you stress a bow the more likly it is to break and the 60lbd (horse style) bow broke right in the handle pretty epicly.
I also broke another Schedule 40 that drew about 50lbs because it was barely flattened. This reasults in a high crown and a rounded belly and it just can't take the stress. So, here's the lesson. These bows will work great, just make sure you take the time to heat and flatten them sufficiently. :)
I plan on making several more. The short length/long draw thing is very alluring to me. :)
So when they break, how likely am I to end up with a PVC pipe stuck thru me eye socket?
I have no doubt that this bow will last just as long as any other. As Dan said, don't burn the pipe and keep the taper even, and you will have no problem.
Jon
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It's nice, but I will stay with Osage.
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Jon we have had some dealings and one of your bows has laid a squirrel or two to rest for me.
If you say it works, then for me it works.
Lane
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I was inspired by this post. I haven't gotten a shootable bow made yet and due to life and crappie fishing I haven't had a ton of time to work on mine. I figured in the meantime I could made one of these and learn to shoot. It took me a while to get a technique down on flattening the pipe but I got a shootable bow out of it even though it was only 20#. I looked up that guy on youtube later and found that he tapers flat toward the tips. I flattened the whole thing. I'll give it another shot on another pipe. The best thing about this stuff is the bow failed on me twice and I just had to unstring it and stick the heat gun on it til it popped back out. Good as new.
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I was inspired by this post. I haven't gotten a shootable bow made yet and due to life and crappie fishing I haven't had a ton of time to work on mine. I figured in the meantime I could made one of these and learn to shoot. It took me a while to get a technique down on flattening the pipe but I got a shootable bow out of it even though it was only 20#. I looked up that guy on youtube later and found that he tapers flat toward the tips. I flattened the whole thing. I'll give it another shot on another pipe. The best thing about this stuff is the bow failed on me twice and I just had to unstring it and stick the heat gun on it til it popped back out. Good as new.
Glad to have helped. Nicks videos are a big help and he is very good at what he does. I actually have one of his bows that I traded for.
Jon
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Great...now something else I have to try building! :) Thanks for posting the pictures. I have been using a hedge bow for bowfishing, but I hate getting it as wet as I have been getting it the last week (due to rain and wading to shoot fish). This would work great for bowfishing.
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l(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubncheryl/101_4258_zps28392948.jpg) (http://s623.photobucket.com/user/bubncheryl/media/101_4258_zps28392948.jpg.html)(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubncheryl/101_4256_zpsc2e9b163.jpg) (http://s623.photobucket.com/user/bubncheryl/media/101_4256_zpsc2e9b163.jpg.html)cant let you have all the fun Jon, made this for a buddy of my son who's trying to do some horse archery, 3/4" sch 40 ended up 49" ttt and 35# at 28", 28" arrow in the pic
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Looking nice Bub. They sure are fun to build. I think I may reflex the handle on my next one a bit to get that horse bow effect.
Jon
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yeah they are fast to build and fun, shoot pretty good too, I narrowed the tips on this and everything