Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on January 09, 2015, 05:30:10 pm

Title: first bow issues
Post by: stuckinthemud on January 09, 2015, 05:30:10 pm

Hi All,

when tillering my hazel bow I needed to tiller-out a hinge which meant I ended up under the target weight by something in the order of 10lb - the bow pulls 15lb and I could do with a weight between 22 and 25.  I guess I have 3 options - back it, heat treat it or shorten it?   The young archer has indicated that he does not want the tips flipped and would rather not have the bow shorter than it is so I am favouring heat treating but guess that will not give me back the power I need? If that is the case then I am left with backing the bow, so what can I back it with - rawhide and sinew are not options at the current time. Also I will have to make a string, so although I made a crossbow string from linen once, I suppose Dacron would be the way forward? Can anybody recommend a simple way to make a string - it will be the first one I ever made, so no Flemish twists! Oh, one last thing, how DO you measure the length needed for a string?

Thanks for your patience,
Stuck

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: Pat B on January 09, 2015, 05:37:51 pm

I don't believe you are going to be able to make 25# using a stave with a 15# hinge in it. You can try heat treating some reflex into the bow and you might increase by 5# to start with. I'd say its time to start the next bow and use this one as a lesson.

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: stuckinthemud on January 09, 2015, 06:31:41 pm

The hinge is all gone now and the tiller looks sweet to my untutored eye. If I can get 22 then that will be great, and 20 will be fine, particularly within the limits being set by my young apprentice  :)  As far as learning experiences go then using a wide range of techniques on this one is no bad thing?

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: burchett.donald on January 09, 2015, 07:06:42 pm

 +1 on Pat, Heat treat a slight amount of reflex and see what happens before you try and back the bow...Your results my surprise you though I'm not familiar with Hazel...
                                                                                                                      Don
                                                                                                                                         

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: burchett.donald on January 09, 2015, 07:13:28 pm

In the  "How To's and Build Along section"  half eye has a string build that is simple, effective and fast...I recently made one from linen and worked great...
                                                                           Don

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: DC on January 09, 2015, 08:01:33 pm

Don't let the Flemish Twist scare you off. There's a million youtube videos on how to make them. It's not that hard.

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: JoJoDapyro on January 09, 2015, 08:19:59 pm

I have been making bows less than a year, and I can twist up a string in about 10 minutes. Good luck. Welcome to the addiction.

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: bubby on January 09, 2015, 08:32:36 pm

what I would do is give him this one to practice with while I built the other

Title: Re: first bow issues
Post by: bradsmith2010 on January 09, 2015, 11:40:30 pm

ok you only need 7 pounds,,
heat treat and see what she does
then maybe take off one inch on each end and dont tell the young archer :)