Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PEARL DRUMS on November 05, 2013, 01:11:32 pm
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I was in the process of building an R/D yew bow. Ma nature added plenty of deflex and I added reflex. I tillered the bow out and shot it a few times, very few. In the end I had no use for the draw feel or performance of the bow. So, in typical me fashion I decided to change it. If I wont use a bow as is, it doesn't stay as is no matter what. I decided to add statics to it and see what happens, just trying to get the "sponge" out of the draw. The bow had osage tip overlays glued on with Loctite Professional. Here is what I did.
1. a 25 minute gentle steam on the last 10" of tip.
2. 25 minutes clamped in my form
3. Both tips kept great shape after a 25 min steam and a 25 min clamp
4. The tip overlays never budged and still look new
In the end it worked like a charm. My take on it? Yes, you can add statics to a finished bow, yes the overlays will stay put and yes 25 minutes of clamp time is plenty, even for yew.
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Yep, that reminds me, I have a yew bow needing some staics as well. I never leave mine all night. usually about an hour.
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If it takes incredible heat to bend wood, wouldn't it also take that same amount to bend it back? That's my spin anyway. If I can grab it and not burn my hand, then it isn't going anywhere unless it wasn't properly heated in the first place.
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That's good to know about the overlays.
I usually only clamp until the piece is back to room temp. But I don't stress it for 24 hours to let it get equilibrium moisture content back.
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Did it change the draw length, weight at all? Ed
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Im sure the draw weight went up at least 15# Ed. I haven't touched the bow since last night and wont for another day or so. Ill check back in.
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The thing I have noticed though is that if it bends enough in the area before you are trying to heat/steam bend then it rips cracks across the belly. I think it is because it compresses and the tries to stretch but can't enough and then cracks appear.
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Hey Pearl, please check back in when you know what it did to the draw length and weight. and any other conclusions you may have.
Thanks
Fellow static lover.....
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It looks sweet
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I have been wondering if I could add some recurve to a VERY long bow I made and have finished. You just gave me the courage to tinker with her a bit. thanks P D
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Wow! Now this has got me thinkin!! ::)
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Thinkin' is good!
I'll check back Bill the bassmaster
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Awesome Thread/Tip!
Thanks PD!
-gus
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This is kinda the 'normal' recurve route for me. I don't add my bends until the bow is 80% tillered. Less wood bends easier.
What kind of glue did you use for the tip overlays, Chris?
I also find I lose about 30-40% of the initial curve.
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Being the impatient type more times than not I only leave them clamped about as long as it takes to be cool to the touch too. I like your caul Pearlie, gonna have to copy that one as the one I use is a joke. If I'm lucky enough to not tiller limb twist into a bow I'll then usually end up getting twist in the tips with my crappy caul. :-[
Post that yew bow when your done, wanna see how it comes out.
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Nice work. I would have liked to see the results if you heat treated. Was it high gpi?
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Nice curves, pd. looks good. jawge
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Being the impatient type more times than not I only leave them clamped about as long as it takes to be cool to the touch too. I like your caul Pearlie, gonna have to copy that one as the one I use is a joke. If I'm lucky enough to not tiller limb twist into a bow I'll then usually end up getting twist in the tips with my crappy caul. :-[
Post that yew bow when your done, wanna see how it comes out.
Greg the key to a lined up and flat static for me, is a long caul. Mine is 24". That way I can clamp the bend down and then line the the lower limb/fade area up and clamp it. I rarely have to correct them doing it this way.
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This is kinda the 'normal' recurve route for me. I don't add my bends until the bow is 80% tillered. Less wood bends easier.
What kind of glue did you use for the tip overlays, Chris?
I also find I lose about 30-40% of the initial curve.
Adam its Loctite Professional in the light blue bottle. Its pricey, but none better Ive found. I use a bottle a month, or more. Ive made 4 osage statics and I dont think they moved since day one. I made one elm static and they moved maybe 10%, that bow NEVER gets shot though. I made a hackberry static and they stayed put as well, they were lightly tempered. Im told to expect this yew static to lose some, that wont bother me as the bow is too short and too narrow for this design.
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Nice work. I would have liked to see the results if you heat treated. Was it high gpi?
I suppose I still could temper it Steve. I tried counting rings and then my ADHD kicked in, there are at least 35-40. Its from Oregon and Im told several years old. It has zero deformities in the way of swirls, humps, bumps, kinks or knots. Its spotless really.
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"I tried counting rings and then my ADHD kicked in, there are at least 35-40."
I can't count past ten myself! ;D
Nice curve, how did the other one turn out?
Definitely heat temper the tips. Makes 'em stronger and allows for more weight reduction...............Art
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This is kinda the 'normal' recurve route for me. I don't add my bends until the bow is 80% tillered. Less wood bends easier.
What kind of glue did you use for the tip overlays, Chris?
I also find I lose about 30-40% of the initial curve.
Adam its Loctite Professional in the light blue bottle. Its pricey, but none better Ive found. I use a bottle a month, or more. Ive made 4 osage statics and I dont think they moved since day one. I made one elm static and they moved maybe 10%, that bow NEVER gets shot though. I made a hackberry static and they stayed put as well, they were lightly tempered. Im told to expect this yew static to lose some, that wont bother me as the bow is too short and too narrow for this design.
I usually lose at least 30% of whatever initial curve I put in! Any idea why so much??
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Could be a few things to watch. How much you reduce around the apex really matters. Most often my apex is a mega fuzz thicker than the wood before and after. Another thing is steam time, maybe not long enough? Or too long? Too long would permanently weaken the wood it seems to me. Ive always had good luck with mine staying put, course Im told by my so-called "buddys" that my TIPS are fat! Hmmmm????
BTW, the bow is getting shot as I type. Its a fuzz over 51# @ 27", perfect-o for its too small of size. The tips havent moved.....yet. Ive only shot 30-40 arrows. The 10-12# of weight I gained, I took away by making my handle work more to compensate for too short and too narrow.
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Way to go PD.....Nice when you tinker with something till you get it the way you like.Sometimes I tinker with it too much and it has gone south on me.Most times not though.I use a 2' long caul too.
How long did you say this bow was?
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Here are a few pics. Most of the deflex was there at birth, tillering set added to it some. Its too short an too narrow, but its fast and smooth as butta. 62" ntn, 1 1/8" wide, semi-flat belly. The draw pic is only 20". I wont hold bows at or near full draw on a tree or the wall.
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Very nice slender little lady.Sweet job Chris.
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Going to be a looker that one.
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Man, I just love that smooth bend with the sharp statics great job. Can't wait to see the finished pics ;D
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niiice! I like it
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Like the way that looks!
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Beautiful
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looking good chris cant wait to see it finished.
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pretty bend pd
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Nice work. Is the string laying flat on the belly of the curves? Did you end up filing a groove in there?
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It was lined up good enough to leave be Carson, but I filed in grooves anyway. I think they make bracing it easier, and they help keep stuff in line. At least thats my feelings.
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Yep! You're the Static-man. ;)
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looks really cool. thanks for the information and sharing tips on how this was done.
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That bow is so beautiful, and kind of reminds me of the bow in this image I use for my computer background:
(http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef01676530154b970b-800wi)
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That sucker looks smooth Chris, get her finished up and post some more pics.
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What a perfect looking bow. That's sublime.
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Very nice .............. static man
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Sweet looking bow PD.
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WOW!!!!
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Nice bow, Pearlie. I'd bet she's a sweet shooter. 8)
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Looking good, cant wait to see it finished up. I have been going through the cyanoacrylate alot too. I order from amazon stuff with the name bob smith in different consistancies and it seems very good. The price doesnt seem to bad either.
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Can't add anything that hasn't been said already Chris - SWEET ! Bob
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Well dang guys! You all must be bored! I havent even got to the good stuff yet..:)
Thanks for all the words. Ive said it before and Ill say it again, statics arent hard at all. Just make a flatbow and bend the tips over.
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OK, mister... let's see it bend! Come on, man... let's see the money shot already!
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Withholding comment for money shot. :-X. Lol! Josh
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Up for Adam
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Thanks Buddy!
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Nice even bend on that one Chris... Wanna see her all dolled up.
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Its all done Don. Finished it last month. It went well.