Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: dwardo on July 03, 2014, 10:07:47 am

Title: Elder bow.
Post by: dwardo on July 03, 2014, 10:07:47 am
This bow is nearly there but applying the finish has slowed right down, we went from 40% RH yesterday to 90% today so nawts drying  >:(

Its elder and about 40@26 61 ntn and its a joy to shoot. It had about 160deg prop twist has dips twists humps and bumps.
I have not been shooting much at all the past year or so and I found out why,. All my bows are way too heavy for me.
There is no joy for me shooting if I cant shoot long enough to get good at it again. That and we cant hunt over here so I dont need a 50lb bow when I can drop the poundage and get my flatter trajectory from a lighter arrow.

More pics later today.

(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140702_195253_zpsu4zbvc0g.jpg)

(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140702_201112_zpsdemjnp0u.jpg)

Here are the rest.
Full draw looks a bit funky in the upper limb but it has a deflex hump there and a whole lump of limb twist. Unbraced seems to be ok with it.

Upper is left
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140703_172608_zpswos8zhw4.jpg)

My little Monkey :) You can also see the prop in the upper limb
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140703_172748_zpsrah00xuq.jpg)

Arty farty ones
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140703_182453_zpsmszyv4uf.jpg)

(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140703_182139_zpsssjikvsl.jpg)

Twists n humps

(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140703_173527_zpsyacc1t7n.jpg)



FD
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140703_182625_002_zpssk9vyqes.jpg)

 

Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: burchett.donald on July 03, 2014, 10:18:47 am
That's perrrrrty, can't wait...
                                            Don
Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: Pappy on July 03, 2014, 10:24:18 am
Looking good so far,can't wait to see her all dolled up. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: dwardo on July 03, 2014, 11:15:05 am
Looking good so far,can't wait to see her all dolled up. :)
   Pappy

Just spend an hour faffing with a cardboard template to make a leather handle, then I remembered your trick with gaffatape, dam it....
Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: Pat B. on July 03, 2014, 11:56:27 am
hmmm, gaffatape? 

What trick would that be, Pappy ??
Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: dwardo on July 03, 2014, 12:01:38 pm
hmmm, gaffatape? 

What trick would that be, Pappy ??

The one where you wrap the handle in gaffa tape then cut it off again and as if my magic a template to cut your bow grip? Could have sworn it was your self.
Saying that not had a day off in a while so slightly bonkers at the mo...
Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on July 03, 2014, 12:06:38 pm
Pretty sharp looker so far Dwardo.
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: Shamusrobert on July 03, 2014, 04:47:35 pm
Looks sharp. Shame you can't hunt over there.
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: JonW on July 03, 2014, 06:22:53 pm
That's a real nice bow. I like the whiteness of the wood.
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on July 03, 2014, 06:28:29 pm
Nice work Dwardo, I really like the overlays on that wood
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: Badly Bent on July 03, 2014, 08:24:53 pm
Beautiful work Dwardo, gotta love a bow that fine.
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: tattoo dave on July 03, 2014, 08:30:25 pm
Darn nice bow there dwardo!! Looks fantastic. Bummer you can't hunt where your at!

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: vinemaplebows on July 03, 2014, 11:27:38 pm
You do great finish work, and I really like the look. I was wondering from looking at the pics, if the upper limb is not hinged a bit? Maybe the fence is throwing me off?

VMB
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: rossfactor on July 03, 2014, 11:58:21 pm
That thing looks Sweeeet.  I've always wanted to try Elder. That's a good looking boy.   Looks just a bit older than mine.

Gabe
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: mikekeswick on July 04, 2014, 02:58:43 am
That's lookin' nice. How do you rate elder? I think it's top notch stuff.
Title: Re: Few teaser pics
Post by: dwardo on July 04, 2014, 12:26:18 pm
That's perrrrrty, can't wait...
                                            Don

Its very pretty wood. Almost bone like.

Looks sharp. Shame you can't hunt over there.

It is but our free access to hunting land doesnt exist. That and I am rubbish anyway so wouldnt risk a shot at an animal. Have a rifle for that  :laugh:

That's a real nice bow. I like the whiteness of the wood.

Thanks. I have made whilstles and pipes from elder and its string stuff.

Nice work Dwardo, I really like the overlays on that wood

Cheers, just water buffalo horn.

Beautiful work Dwardo, gotta love a bow that fine.

Thanks BB

Darn nice bow there dwardo!! Looks fantastic. Bummer you can't hunt where your at!

Tattoo Dave

Cheers Dave

You do great finish work, and I really like the look. I was wondering from looking at the pics, if the upper limb is not hinged a bit? Maybe the fence is throwing me off?

VMB


Cheers bud. Its a tough one this. There is a big knot about 6 inch up from the grip which is reflexed then it deflexes then reflexes again, bit more deflex then reflexed tip, and another knot about 10 inch from the tip  :o So far as I can see the whole limb works upto stiffer tips and the set seems to agree with what I did. There is a lot of twist left in the upper limb from the stave that just wouldnt come out which makes it look worse.
If anyone sees anything I could have done differently I really would like to know and learn.

This was the stave

(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/Bow%20making/20140609_211721_zpsbt25gbpv.jpg)

That thing looks Sweeeet.  I've always wanted to try Elder. That's a good looking boy.   Looks just a bit older than mine.

Gabe

Cheers Gabe, I have found it hard to find a long, straight enough bit without a butt load of prop-twist. I will be looking harder now though  >:D

That's lookin' nice. How do you rate elder? I think it's top notch stuff.

Cheers mate,

I think Elder is a stunning bow wood. If the stave didnt feel good in the hand I wouldnt have took it through 8 heat sessions and hours of messing around trying to get a bow from it. I will be on the hunt for a "less challenging" bit.


Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: Del the cat on July 04, 2014, 03:12:38 pm
Yeah great looking bow. I have some Elder ready for working :)
Del
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: Benedikt on July 04, 2014, 03:29:29 pm
Sweet!
I just love elder, its one of my favourites woods !
Regards,
Benedikt
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: SLIMBOB on July 04, 2014, 03:41:51 pm
Very nice. Love the tips.
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: sieddy on July 04, 2014, 03:58:02 pm
Great work- I can't believe you made a shooter from Elder!  :)
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: simson on July 05, 2014, 12:45:20 pm
very elegant elder bow! love the humpy back. Great execution Dwardo.
Title: Re: Elder bow.
Post by: dwardo on July 06, 2014, 09:36:29 am
Yeah great looking bow. I have some Elder ready for working :)
Del

It is great wood Dell you will love it.

Sweet!
I just love elder, its one of my favourites woods !
Regards,
Benedikt

Thanks Benedikt. It really is great stuff. Works really easily and doesn't pull up grain like the elm I am used too. Takes very little finishing to look bone white and smooth.

Very nice. Love the tips.

First time I have used water-buffalo horn, much lighter than the stuff I usually get and easier to work but as usual the SMELL! horrendous even with a mask on. Had to hoover my bandsaw and workshop afterwards.

Great work- I can't believe you made a shooter from Elder!  :)

Give it a go its great bow wood when you find a decent bit.

very elegant elder bow! love the humpy back. Great execution Dwardo.

Thanks Simson. The bumpy back is really nice to look at, very organic.