Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sailordad on January 16, 2008, 12:58:00 am

Title: trying bow #2
Post by: sailordad on January 16, 2008, 12:58:00 am

                         hey everyone,                                                                                                                                                                                               well I'm trying to do bow #2 and am having possible difficulties. The stave that I have acquired has a natural reflex to it,but it also appears to have a slight twist to it also. Maybe this will give me a chance to try and  do a little bending or twisting to get it straight. However thats not whats got me worried. One limb has,what looks to me to be, a couple of knots that may prove to be the death of this stave if I don't ask questions. There is a large( in diameter)knot about 4 inches past center and another large knot about 2/3 the way up that limb,right on the edge of where I expect the limb to run. So heres my question     "what should I do about these knots?"
Any advise would be appreciated. Here are some pics hope there clear enough to show the knots and my lines.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/885/1000271py5.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/6079/1000272rl9.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3041/1000274du8.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9990/1000276rc1.jpg

                                                                                         thank you,

                                                                                                Tim

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: Pat B on January 16, 2008, 01:07:03 am

Looks to me that you have eliminated the knots from the bow. Just follow your lines and go from there.     Pat

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: Pappy on January 16, 2008, 05:46:06 am

The only thing I would add is ,on the other side where you went around the knot flair
the line out to match the way you went around the knot,just a gradual flair out on the opposite side so the limb stays the same with at that point in the limb.Looks good so far.You will be able to tell more when you get it cut out so leave a little room outside your lines.The know will go toward the center of the stave so once you get it cut out you will be able to see if it will effect the belly side.Let us know how it looks when you get it cut out. :)
  Pappy

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: adb on January 16, 2008, 10:36:27 am

Hey, Sailordad
Why don't you try making a bow from a board? A nice, straight, flat, quarter sawn piece of hickory? Or osage. I think making board bows is so much easier for beginners. The wood is cheap, you don't have to deal with knots or twist, and the moisture content is usually perfect. Making bows from staves is kind of like learning to fly in a fighter jet. Boards are still wood!

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: sailordad on January 16, 2008, 12:27:37 pm

adb
i would try a board  bow,however that cost money(which I'm always short on) and I'm real cheap. and i got this stave free,which as we all know is the price.lol
and i cant seem to find a decent board right now at the local lumbar yards.

                                 Tim

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: Pappy on January 16, 2008, 12:59:10 pm

Carry on with the stave it ant Rocket science.I have nothing aginst a board but to be honest I have never made one from a board.So if I can do it I am sure most anybody can. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: richpierce on January 16, 2008, 01:43:24 pm

You are doing really well.  is that hickory?  It'll work.

Title: Re: trying bow #2
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 16, 2008, 09:49:48 pm

There are some buildalongs on my site. Jawge
http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/archer.html