Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: JoJoDapyro on October 28, 2014, 11:56:13 pm

Title: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 28, 2014, 11:56:13 pm
I am trying to finish up some gifts for some friends. The first is a red oak board, pretty much pyramid design. What is the best way to induce reflex?

Second bow is for a friends nephew, he is 16 but very small. It is also red oak, the design on this one isn't important. I am going to back the bow with goat leather with a sake skin pattern, I have already made him a quiver out of the same material. What is the best glue to use to glue this down? The back side of the leather is about like sued. Thanks again for the info, you guys make this stuff almost too easy!
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: chamookman on October 29, 2014, 05:06:40 am
For reflex on Hickory, I'd use a heat gun. For glueing the Goat skin, TB3 should work well. Good luck - Bob.
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 29, 2014, 12:02:01 pm
I know to use heat, but am I going to have to heat the back using a caul? Or heat the belly while braced?
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: bubby on October 29, 2014, 12:59:52 pm
Joe heat the BELLY while on a caul
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 29, 2014, 01:03:58 pm
 :-\ err. Deflex. I have recurved the tips, now I need to get the mid limb deflexed a bit. Kinda like a 5 bend. Sorry for my dislexia, or just misusage of terms. Thanks.
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: lebhuntfish on October 29, 2014, 07:04:19 pm
When you get ready to glue the leather down.  Sand the swade down till its nice and smooth and even. Then make sure you size the leather  with a thin coat of glue. I would suggest mixing the TB wit some water, say 3 parts glue to 1 part water. After you size it let it dry completely, that leather will work like a sponge. Do this to the bow also. Then apply a decent coat of glue to both and apply your skin. Hope this is as clear as mud!

As far as the reflex,  check the TBB 4 in the part about heat treating. I did a bow like that the other day and it works pretty slick! Patrick
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: J05H on October 29, 2014, 07:56:39 pm
I've never deflexed a stave before, but I think what I would try would be to strap the bow handle to your bench back down with a block for a spacer to make room for you recurves. Heat it with your heat gun, and then raise the limbs up while its hot and put some blocks under the tips to hold them up till it cools. I'm not saying it'll work for sure because I've never done it but I think it will.
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: mikekeswick on October 30, 2014, 03:40:39 am
Don't heat deflex in mid limb. Just leave as is. ;)
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 30, 2014, 09:40:29 am
Thanks for all the answers guys. One more question. What is the goat leather going to do to the performance of the bow? I am making a completely wild guess and thinking that it will slow it down?
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: bubby on October 30, 2014, 10:28:27 am
Well even very thin leather will add mass so you should figure on it having some effect on the bows performance, I can't venture a guess how much, one way to find out ;)
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 30, 2014, 10:31:09 am
Thanks Bubby. I assume it will slow it down a bit, I just don't know if my thinking is wrong. This is a bow for  small human. I don't want to add too much to it and have to tiller a bunch off, It is currently at floor tiller.
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: Springbuck on November 02, 2014, 01:58:25 pm
  If you  don't want to make a caul, tie the tip downon one end and put an assortment of spacers to ge the shape. I do bows all the time tied to a board at the tip loosely, insert some dowels or scrap chunks, bend some reflec over it and tie down the hnadle.  OCCASIONALLY, I will have one like this that is not completely secured (like all along with C-clamps secured) try to warp sideways a bit, but usually it's ok.
Title: Re: Two bows, Two quetions
Post by: JoJoDapyro on November 02, 2014, 02:25:20 pm
I have a Reflex/Deflex caul that I made. As well as a Recurve tip caul that I made. They are both made of a 2X12.