Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: UserNameTaken on July 02, 2014, 01:33:04 am

Title: A board named Molly
Post by: UserNameTaken on July 02, 2014, 01:33:04 am
Hi all,

I found a red oak board with some really fat late growth, and I would like to make my first molly out of it. This is my plan, but I worry that this is too narrow or too short--or both.

(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p663/justrickjustrick/imagejpg1_zpsaf0ad9c5.jpg) (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/justrickjustrick/media/imagejpg1_zpsaf0ad9c5.jpg.html)

(http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p663/justrickjustrick/imagejpg2_zps6c3d92ef.jpg) (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/justrickjustrick/media/imagejpg2_zps6c3d92ef.jpg.html)

Those rings are about 1/2 inch thick.
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on July 02, 2014, 05:00:27 am
I just finished a red oak molly backed with burlap that is 59 1/4" ntn and 55 @ 26.  I went 2 1/4 and it still took set (due to my inept tillering and it probably just being overs-stressed)  How long is the draw?  I think you're probably good to go, never tried the Z handle though.  Keep us posted
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: UserNameTaken on July 02, 2014, 07:02:15 am
Peacebow,

How much set did you end up with? My draw is 26".
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: DarkSoul on July 02, 2014, 08:39:14 am
I think I would keep the length, but change the ratio between lever and bending limb. Maybe 10" lever and 17" bending limb. Also, I prefer the bending limb to taper slightly. Maybe from 2" down to 1 3/4" or even 1½". It just looks nicer and makes it easier to tiller. Otherwise your design looks fine. I like those fat rings of that oak 8)
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: bushboy on July 02, 2014, 10:09:44 am
 Just make sure to get your tip line up and reduced early on.it translates to a fair bit of weight lost even if the flex just a bit.GL!
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: Onebowonder on July 02, 2014, 12:39:53 pm
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with on this one...  I wound up backing mine with a similar design with silk because I was nervous about the red oak.

OneBow
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: UserNameTaken on July 02, 2014, 02:07:07 pm
Thanks for the advice guys. I will post some pictures if it works out.

Dark Soul, thanks; I will adjust my design to those dimensions to be on the safe side.
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: Wooden Spring on July 02, 2014, 03:16:19 pm
For what it's worth, I haven't built this EXACT bow yet, but this drawing summarizes all the information that I've gathered on these things. If you build it, lemme know how it turns out.
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: huisme on July 02, 2014, 04:01:24 pm
I like wooden spring's link, pretty good basics for a modern mollegabet even though the tapered limb strays from the artifact just as much as a Z handle does ;)

That's some crazy oak, keep us updated on how that thing bends!
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: JackCrafty on July 02, 2014, 04:15:10 pm
 8)
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: Wooden Spring on July 02, 2014, 04:46:00 pm
I like wooden spring's link, pretty good basics for a modern mollegabet even though the tapered limb strays from the artifact just as much as a Z handle does ;)

That's some crazy oak, keep us updated on how that thing bends!

Hey, that's cool. Like I said I haven't built this configuration yet. For all I know it's going to be more like a cricket bat than a bow...
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: bushboy on July 02, 2014, 05:44:05 pm
Here's one close to that design.
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: UserNameTaken on July 02, 2014, 05:49:22 pm
Wooden Spring, thanks. I might just give that design a try, because I really like the shape of it.

Huisme, it must have been one happy tree. I've never seen late growth that thick before.
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: huisme on July 02, 2014, 08:11:56 pm
I can confirm that modified molle design works well; made one for a friend recently, looks a lot like Bushboy's

(http://i.imgur.com/nMweQ5L.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YNSciwr.jpg)
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on July 03, 2014, 12:05:09 am
I have a 17" working limb and an 8 inch lever, actually  about 1 1/4" of resting set on each limb  I would have tapered the working limb like these guys are saying, would have saved me endlessly removing wood toward the end to open up the outers I think.  Hope it turns out nice, keep us post. :)
Title: Re: A board named Molly
Post by: UserNameTaken on July 04, 2014, 06:48:06 pm
So, I've laid out the design that Wooden Spring posted, and I'm wondering if I should make the first 6" of the bending limb parallel. I would rather not, because it looks pretty darn elegant the way that it is, but I don't know how much I can get away with. I do plan on heat treating, which will help, but I was also going to reflex the tips a bit.

-68 1/2" tip to tip.
-17 1/4" working limb
-2" at the fades tapering to 1 3/8" @ 12.75"
-then, tapering to 1 1/16" at the beginning of the lever fades.

I'm shooting for 55-60 lbs. @ 26". Thoughts?