Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: steve b. on October 15, 2013, 11:41:52 pm

Title: My latest projects
Post by: steve b. on October 15, 2013, 11:41:52 pm
I just glued the TD sleeves on some massive oceanspray billets today.  It weighs over 4 lbs. at this point @68" long.  Not sure what will come of it.

The snakey oak is the weirdest piece of wood I've ever worked.  It was springy when I roughed it green and its still just as springy.  There is not a straight spot on it anywhere and I wanted to see if it would make a bow.  It made a lefty.  I'm not sure of the poundage because I'm not sure of the draw length.  It just keeps drawing and has taken no set.  I never worked it during tiller.  I pulled it to about half draw a few times, worked the tiller some more, and pulled it to 28".  I think it would go 29".  Its 60 or 62" long.  It flings a hunting weight arrow nicely, certainly not fast.  Very little shock.  I might heat treat it, finish it up and call it, 'shootable', and hang it on the wall.

The stained bow is hazelnut.  It pulls about 42 @ 27", 64", just under 16 oz.,  and was my first real hazelnut project.  Each limb took about an inch of set.  It shoots 600 grn arrows decent.   I can't wait to make a 60 lbs. bow from this wood. 
The tiller is identical to my last bow, the tradebow, and I don't like it.  I picked up this habit somewhere of the more circular tiller and I can't shake it.

The small bow is a small oceanspray sample that I'll make into a kids bow.  Its bending now but I need to a tiny string to finish it.........

Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: steve b. on October 15, 2013, 11:51:54 pm
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Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: Gordon on October 15, 2013, 11:58:07 pm
You're turning out some nice bows Steve.
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: Del the cat on October 16, 2013, 06:31:13 am
Wooo some nice looking bows there :)
Del
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: Pappy on October 16, 2013, 06:40:01 am
You been busy,see you are wearing your safty glasses. ;) ;D ;D
   Pappy
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 16, 2013, 07:12:27 am
Some nice looking bows there Steve. I especially like the looks of the hazelnut that you don't seem to care for. It reminds me of an old string follow bow that I owned. Wasn't the fastest but really a sweet shooter!! Did you heat treat the belly?
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: TimPotter on October 16, 2013, 08:10:58 am
Those are some great looking bows there.
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 16, 2013, 10:10:22 am
Nice work Steve!
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: Tiredtim on October 16, 2013, 11:37:52 am
Very nice!  Could you do a build a-long some day?
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: Dan K on October 16, 2013, 11:46:17 am
Can't wait to see the Takedown completed!  THAT'S gonna be an amazing bow!  ;)
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: MoNative on October 16, 2013, 02:26:25 pm
loving that bow with the "snakes" !!!!
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: steve b. on October 16, 2013, 07:13:05 pm
Wow, you guys are really kind......or you all got together and decided to lie to me  O:)

I heat treated both the hazel and oak.   The oak lost all of its darkened wood during tillering and I really want to do it again.  I did the hazel twice.

The tiller on the oak looks funky mostly because one limb is deflexed and one slightly reflexed, and partly because I didn't put the time in that I could have.

I'm gonna want some advice on the oceanspray takedown.  I wonder if I should do that here?  One limb is flat, wide, and knobby with knots.  The other is fairly clean and crowned nicely, but not as wide.  I'm debating on decrowning both, backing, and trapping, so they look nearly identical vs. just tillering the way they are and letting them be who they are, looking different?   I'll post some pics.............
Title: Re: My latest projects
Post by: burchett.donald on October 16, 2013, 11:14:02 pm
Steve, nice tiller on that funky twisty Oak! Nice looking bunch of bows...