Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BigWapiti on December 15, 2007, 05:44:55 pm
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Worked most all this morning tillering what is hoped to be my first shootable bow. Vine maple, going for 50# @ 28". Right now, i'm about 40# at 18". The original 'tree' was only about 2" in diameter - after I split it in half I realized the handle wasn't going to be deep enough so I'm trying out a glued on piece of hardwood. seems to be working ok.
But I have had the tillering going very well for quite some time, then as I braced it higher (from 3" to 5" at the handle) I started noticing that the brace height out in the limbs were going awry (shorter on one side than the other). There has always been a crook in the upper limb that I've had to deal with - it was going fine for a while...
Curious,
First, where you would be shaving to even the limbs out again, considering the pictures below (pardon the poor quality and background).
Second, if, say, the string height at the handle is 5", bottom limb 12" in from tip is say, 3" and the top is 4" -- which limb would you be shaving to even things out...
I've been staring at this trying to get it figured out and its not coming clear to me. Left limb seems as if it needs bending more, with a hinge developing about 3" below the handle. This is a bit of a snakey stave too.
Ideas? He'p?
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Hey BW, I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination. But the first thing that catches my eye is maybe a hinge right out of the fade on left limb. I wouldn't pull it any more till I got that whole limb bending a little more evenly, then get the other limb to match.
Some of the experts will chime in soon - usually a little slower around here on weekends ;).
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Have to agree cowboy, its bending too much on the left limb at the fade. Be careful there. I think
that dip on the right limb is causing it to be stiff at that point. Patience is necessary at this point.
Wait for someone with more experience to chime in. Looks like you have a challengeing stave there
and should end up with a real sweet bow.
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Get both limbs bending mid limb on. All the bending is happening at the end of the fades. Check my site. Jawge
http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/archer.html
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At the risk of being redundant, -same thing. Work that left limb down first, stay away from the area where its bending too much. After you get the hinge unhinged and the limb bending evenly, you should be in pretty good shape.
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Everybody has already said it.
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Thanks all - much appreciated. This used to be so relaxing - I'm suddenly stressing. Will let you know as I progress... Thanks again.
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Removing the flat spot on the rt. limb just out of the fade will help relieve the pressure on the hinged left limb. I would work this area first.
Mark
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BW,
Vine maple is a tough wood to start with given all the bumps, swirls and whoop-dee-doos. I broke four vine maple bows in a row before I got my first shooter. Hang in there though because once you do get a feel for this wood, you can make some really sweet bows with it.
Gordon
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Did a little more work on it - thought it was looking good visually. Cameras sure do allow you to see things that you don't see at the tree. Or... what do you think? I'd sure use some constructive critisism here. That whoop on the right limb, particularly, has me pondering how to tiller it correctly. Thanks, -Mike
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And btw, I'll be cutting about 1.5-2" off the tips, I just left them there while I work the bow so the tips don't get marred.
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Just off the handle of the left limb is bending more than the right. You might wqant to take the right limb down a tad more. You are coming along nicely. Pat
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I was thinking the same thing Pat. I would get up closer to the fades a little and work it from there out to the last 6-7" and just bring it in for a comfortable landing and let it catch up to the other side. It looks as if you adjusted well on the hinge. I liked the way Hillbilly said to " unhinge the hinge" he said it so succently and it appears that you have executed the move nicely. Danny
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Thanks guys, I'll give that right limb some more work.
So, the tips... how do they look for proper bend?
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What Pat said.Looking better tho. :) What you been doing is working.
Pappy
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You should post an unbraced picture