Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Badger on February 12, 2018, 12:34:51 pm
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I have been commissioned to make a bow 12# @ 26". I am kind of looking forward to it. I plan to make it the same way I would make a 50# bow that was 6" wide. My plan is short working area maybe 8" on each limb and ultra slim tips and outer limbs with about 6" or 7" reflex. I will post pics when done if I can figure out how. My goal is a 200 grain arrow at about 160 fps. I had no idea how light 12# really is until I started playing with the little bow. It feels pretty tight on a mini bow. Hard to imagine getting any kind of power out of it. If I can get the arrows down below 200 grains it would help a bit also.
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Sounds fun Steve, looking forward to seeing it, sounds like a sweet design!
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160 FPS from 12#? That would be borderline miraculous, Steve. Just making a bow draw 12# @ 26# seems awfully "mushy" to me?
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I did a quickie test piece just to see what it would feel like and it had nothing! Pure mush. At first I thought it was a waste of time and I would just nock one out and send it but then I started seeing it as a challenge. The one I am doing is 58" long.
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It seems a softer wood that requires more wood to make a bow might be the best bet. Like elm, hackberry or maple. I think any of the "better " bow woods would be a toothpick by the time you got done.
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I made a Boo backed Yew for my grandson. It's 44" NTN and 10#@22". The limbs are 9/16" wide and 3/8" thick. You could pull it farther but it would take some set I think. he shoots 18" 280 grain(heavy tips) bamboo arrows. It is surprisingly snappy. With a longer draw length and lighter arrows I think it would work.
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Must be an unusual case where a bow drawn 26 inches is wanted at only 12#.
The kids bows I have made have had draw lengths of18 to 22 and have launched their light arrows with authority. The are small, but are not toys. The bows have been 48-56 inches long.
The 1/4" shafts I make for them weigh about 100 g at 20" long (This is without points, which add very little, as they are pressed steel.)
Is that 200 g arrow going 160 fps out of a 12# bow a typo or are you not the real Badger?
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made one for my grandson about like that weight. 1/4" dowels are way too stiff, and if I put much weight on the tips, are too heavy to be useful.
I do see 3' bamboo skewers on amazon I might order. 5mm dia
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Must be an unusual case where a bow drawn 26 inches is wanted at only 12#.
The kids bows I have made have had draw lengths of18 to 22 and have launched their light arrows with authority. The are small, but are not toys. The bows have been 48-56 inches long.
The 1/4" shafts I make for them weigh about 100 g at 20" long (This is without points, which add very little, as they are pressed steel.)
Is that 200 g arrow going 160 fps out of a 12# bow a typo or are you not the real Badger?
Jim, I have no idea if it will do it or not, I am just shooting for it. Going to go with a very radical design.
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I am actually going to do it in two stages, I have the bow laid up now with about 4" recurves. Going to finish it here and if still doggy going to add the reflex and take the weight back down.
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made one for my grandson about like that weight. 1/4" dowels are way too stiff, and if I put much weight on the tips, are too heavy to be useful.
I do see 3' bamboo skewers on amazon I might order. 5mm dia
I make 1/4" shafts from spruce. Pretty light and spine close to what is wanted. Only drawback is they break much easier than hardwood.
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I might make some purple heart 3/16 tapered shafts. I think skinny and dense with small fletches might carry better. I don't think I need much spine.