Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jazzdad on April 20, 2015, 11:32:05 pm
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I'm gonna procure some buffalo horn, deer antler and hardwood materials for tips soon. Trying to find a good thread with pics to help me learn to shape and apply them properly. Any suggestions?
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Pre shaping the back edge to a fine edge first will give you a better transition when finishing. I use a table top belt sander to do the basic tip shaping but you have to be very careful. It doesn't take but a second to screw it up. I do the final tip shaping and finishing with rasp, scraper and sand paper.
Seal the pithy interior of antler with super glue first before gluing it down.
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Get your gluing surfaces completely flat and matching. I cut the angles on the bow tips with a coping saw and then use a belt sander to even it up. I feather the leading edge of the overlay and then smooth it out on the sander. Use a good quality glue. I like to use liquid superglue. After the glue cures shape them however you want. That's my method. Experiment with them and find out what works best for you.
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Try not to get the horn or antler too hot when your grinding it on the belt sander. They'll sometimes warp. Also, if you're dealing with a small piece while belt sanding, it can be difficult to hang onto. I've spent hours looking for the little overlay that shot out of my hand. I've found using double stick tape work quite well to hold them onto a small block of wood while you're grinding them. Just don't pull too much pressure on the belt.
Once the glue surfaces are flat and ready to glue on, I use the wilder rubber bands to hold them in place. Using clamps on the top angle of the overlays is an exercise in frustration. With Super Glue, you can probably just hold them with your fingers while it sets up. I mostly use TB III
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Gordons hazelwood build a lond has great pics and explanation for the tip overlays
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Here's the link to the build-a-long Bubby mentioned
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.45.html
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Don't quote me but i think the tip section is around pg 12
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Page 4 :)
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Gordons build along is the best one I've read, I even printed it out so I can refer to it from time to time.
You have some good advice on overlays already. I would suggest you look at some pictures, make a few practice runs with different materials then figure out what works best for you. Remember that the tips of the bow are for holding on the string. Overlays are for decoration so just use your creativity to make them. Patrick
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Yup pg 4 the grip work starts on 12
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This forum is the real deal! Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'm going to print Gordon's pics and give it a go soon.
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Also make sure that your horn etc is dry before gluing it on. It's easy to look at these sort of materials and think they are stable...but they shrink just like high mc wood shrinks.
If there is a little excess moisture still in them and you glue them on to dry bow wood then you run the risk of them shrinking a little, messing up your smooth transitions and putting excess stress on the actual glueline.
A microwave (slowly!) or just a normal oven will dry them very well.
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Also, it bears saying if using wood, only use HARD wood. Horn and antler are fine. Some woods will be too soft and the string will cut the tips right off.
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http://imgur.com/a/m0qHT (http://imgur.com/a/m0qHT)
And here are a few examples ;D
http://imgur.com/a/7xytt (http://imgur.com/a/7xytt)
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Love Gordon's buildalong ....it helped me out a ton ;)
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Also for hardwood overlays, riff sawn lumber is a good idea.