Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: 4est Trekker on December 19, 2014, 04:34:52 pm

Title: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: 4est Trekker on December 19, 2014, 04:34:52 pm

It's been awhile since I've posted a bow, but I've been building them nonetheless.  Here's a very simple osage flatbow with pyramidal limbs made as a Christmas gift.  It finished at 64" in overall length and 42#@28".  The stave was cut here in Nebraska back in 2010.  I'll give a quick pictorial synopsis of the build with a few steps missing here and there.

Here's the back profile of the stave:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/1-StaveBack_zps646189e2.jpg)


And the side profile:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/2-StaveSide_zps1ca5fe62.jpg)


Chasing a ring:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/4-EndViewofSelectedRing_zpsf1e65661.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/3-ChasingaRingontheBack_zpsb03e8341.jpg)

Back finished:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/5-BackofBow_zpsc8bdafb9.jpg)


Layout lines:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/7-LayoutLines_zps731d8d33.jpg)


Roughed out to layout lines:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/8-RoughShapedtoLayoutLines_zps5ba08e7c.jpg)

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: 4est Trekker on December 19, 2014, 04:35:19 pm

After shaping the riser and the limbs to thickness, it was time to begin tillering.  I start on a long string and then work my way to full brace height.  Although I will eventually want a positive tiller [i.e. a slightly weaker upper limb], I like to tiller the bow on the tree out to about 23" with both limbs equal.  That allows me to choose which limb I want as top and bottom and slowly dial my way into a positive tiller.  After 23", I begin weakening one limb and doing all of my work while drawing the bow in hand in front of a mirror.


But before all of that, after getting out to about 16" or so I like to induce some reflex using a heat gun and caul:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/10-InducingReflexwithHeat_zpsf6b7a225.jpg)


I let the bow sit on the caul overnight.  Here it is the next morning:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/11-SideViewAfterReflexing_zps3461e3a0.jpg)


I let the bow rehydrate for about a week and then slowly work it back in on the tiller tree.  Here it is unbraced after working out to 23":

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/20-ReflexedProfileAfterUnstringing_zps7468e4ef.jpg)


Because I'll be working the bow out from 23" to 28" in hand, I need to shape the riser.  This particular stave was a bit thin for comfort in the handle area, so I opted to add a couple laminations to beef it up.  The first is padauk followed by rosewood:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/14-FirstRiserLaminationApplied_zps440debb7.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/15-RoughShapingtheRiser_zps8156aa85.jpg)


Here's the riser all shaped up and ready to shoot:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/21-FinalShapingofRiser_zps1a6cea5f.jpg)

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: 4est Trekker on December 19, 2014, 04:35:43 pm

The next step before I can finish the tillering is nock overlays and string grooves.  I opted to use padauk.  Here's the progress, complete with double nocks for stringing:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/23-PreparingTipOverlays_zps697eaf4e.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/25-PreparingTipOverlays_zpsbde0aaa2.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/26-InitialShapingofTipOverlays_zps797f768a.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/30-FinalShapingofTipOverlays_zps24323d26.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/32-FinalShapingofTipOverlays_zps54c6bc1a.jpg)


After I got the bow tillered out to 28", it was time for a light staining with dark walnut, an arrow rest, and some spray finish.  Here's the riser all dolled up:

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/37-FinishedBowRiserDetail_zps9ae9626a.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/36-FinishedBowRiserDetail_zpsb728598a.jpg)

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: 4est Trekker on December 19, 2014, 04:36:10 pm

Here's the finished bow ready for delivery on Christmas day.  Thanks for looking!

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/33-FinishedBowBackProfile_zpsab6a56c6.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/35-FinishedBowBellyProfile_zps31553cf6.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/34-FinishedBowSideProfile_zps47ed9c95.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/41-FinishedBowStrungProfile_zps26717617.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/40-FinishedBowStrungProfile_zpsd41c8011.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/38-FinishedBowMakersMark_zpsa3d7e67b.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/39-FinishedBowMakersMark_zps5a57988b.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Bows-2014%20and%20later/2014%20Christmas%20Bow%20for%20Dan%20Kincaid/42-FinishedBowFullDraw_zps1ca57c67.jpg)

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Badger on December 19, 2014, 04:44:36 pm

  Great job on that one, also good job on the progression.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: adams89 on December 19, 2014, 05:00:17 pm

wow now that is seriously a great bow! The arrowrest is a great idea!
an the profile looks perfect even the steep fades and the narrow limbs, I'm fascinated!
It must be a shooter :)

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Stixnstones on December 19, 2014, 05:25:13 pm

Awesome! Really love simple bows, but than u thru in that kool grip, again awesome

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Scottski on December 19, 2014, 06:04:57 pm

Very nice bow, someone will be happy.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Knoll on December 19, 2014, 07:06:01 pm

Congrats, and good to see you're still makin' 'em!
I've made just a few and that red oak builalong ya did years ago was one of the inspirations for giving this hobby a try.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: NeolithicMan on December 19, 2014, 08:48:23 pm

Whooowee! thats a sweet looking bow man, love the dark stain filled growth rings. I have used a similar idea to do oak dowel arrows and add cherry dye after, makes it kind of like a tiger stripe pattern

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 19, 2014, 10:34:10 pm

Every bit as beautiful as the neckers you make.  Absolutely magnificent.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Danzn Bar on December 19, 2014, 10:39:50 pm

nothing wrong with that...
DBar

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Sasquatch on December 19, 2014, 10:48:38 pm

Great job, all around.  I like the rest, she has great curve also.   Nice finish work.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: steve b. on December 19, 2014, 10:53:27 pm

Very cool.  I like the follow-along.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Badly Bent on December 20, 2014, 09:26:23 am

That one should be shooting arrows for years I'd bet. Very well made looking osage bow and the tiller is excellent, sweet gift Trekker.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Aaron H on December 20, 2014, 10:53:32 am

Very cool, well done

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: IdahoMatt on December 20, 2014, 11:23:55 am

Nice work.  Great glue joints :)

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: 4est Trekker on December 21, 2014, 01:40:47 pm

Thanks for the kind words, all. :)  I might have to give the fellow a yardstick with a string on it instead and keep this one for my greedy self.  I've broken three nocks with this bow.  I'm not that great of a shot; the bow definitely shoots better than I do!  :D

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: simson on December 23, 2014, 11:27:20 am

Missed this one !
Beautiful work on that yeller stick! Like the set back handle.

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: Comancheria on December 23, 2014, 01:01:09 pm

Beautiful bow.  I learned a lot from your photo montage--but would rather have been there watching the entire build😊.  How long did you take with the heat gun after you had it on the caul?

Best regards,

Russ

Title: Re: Simple Osage Flatbow (Pictorial Follow-Along)
Post by: burchett.donald on December 23, 2014, 01:06:40 pm

  Beautiful bend and bow, great Christmas present man 8)
                                                                                                                                Don