Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Pat B on September 07, 2022, 04:19:52 pm
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A few years back a friend gave me a 72"x2" locust board and hickory backing. It been sitting in the utility room until today. I decided to build an American Longbow. I cut the locust and backing strip to 68" long. The locust is 11/16" thick, the hickory backing strip is just over 1/8" thick. I cut both to 1 9/16" wide and the bow limbs will have a straight tapered width to the tips. The handle riser is Eastern red cedar with a 4" handle and 4" fades.
I will have to get some glue for this glue-up. I do have Urac but as you can guess it is out of date by now and even though it's been in the refrigerator I dare not use it.
Here are a few pics of the beginning...
(https://i.imgur.com/R6ltvVI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yqn9WTP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LoOhYGS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hEvSBmE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/POAVeAW.jpg)
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Looking forward to following this build.
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I found a little lateral warp in the stave so I thought I'd try to straighten it with heat. I clamped it to a old, real, pine 2x4 with a thin spacer at the center line holding it to the form and clamped the end to the 2x4 then heated both sides along the limb. I'll give it a few hours at least and see if it straightened. Any slight lateral bend that may remain I'll deal with once I get the back profile cut out and pre-tillered to an even bending state. At that point there will be less wood to move for the correction.
a few more pics...
(https://i.imgur.com/FMX42V8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/m3MggVJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rd43KEg.jpg)
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After the last session I didn't get any movement to straighten the lateral bend so I added a thicker spacer and tried again. This time it got her in pretty good alignment. Then it was time to glue the handle riser to the belly. I used TBIII for this...
(https://i.imgur.com/WF0RoLg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ORhHDFr.jpg)
...then started the tillering of the belly to get a good, even bend before glue up. At floor tiller it looked like she was bending pretty good so I placed her of the form to see just how good. The blocks on the form are 3 1/4" high where the tips rest. Then I draw the handle area down to see how the side view looks in reflex. I still need a little evening up on each limb...
(https://i.imgur.com/UG164AP.jpg)
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Pat, I am looking forward to this build along. Jawge
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Thanks George. It's been fun getting back into it. :OK
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Pat, I need to get something going too but... Jawge
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Thanks for posting this build pat. It looks like cool build. I’ll be watching too
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I know what you mean, Jawge.
Thanks, Dave. So far it going good. ;D
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Did a little more this morning. Started reducing the limbs more concentrating on the flat areas. Then I put her on the form, bending towards the belly and used Eric Krewson's Gizmo to mark the flat spots so I know where to remove wood. At this point I'm only using a scraper so it goes a lot slower but makes it less likely I screw up. Doing just a little each day also helps to keep me from screwing up.
You can barely see the pencil marks in these pics. Too much glare to see it on here well.
(https://i.imgur.com/ACacDul.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Do54Erd.jpg)
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Looking good Pat.
Pappy
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Thanks, Pappy. Have you recuperated yet from your trip to Colorado?
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Pretty much, now playing catch up around home and farm. 😉 Pappy
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looks great,, the fastest way to get there is slowly,, :)
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Brad, I'm becoming a student of that theory.
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Im starting a simple osage bow,, self bow,, thanks for the inspiration,, :) we gotta keep moving,,Jimi Hendrix said, ,keep on pushin,, straight ahead,,
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Cool, Brad. Looking forward to seeing pics. :OK
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ok I will post when I get it to bend,, :D
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Well, I got it glued up just a few minutes ago(about 1:30). Even with forethought it's still a run around time for me during glue up...but I got 'er done. I mixed up well 5 grams of hardener with 75 grams of glue then spread it on both glue surfaces. Then I taped the back to the belly together to hold them while I wrapped both limbs with tire inner tube bands first, drew the handle area down to the form base with a large clamp with the tips on blocks about 3 1/4" above the base. Next added spring clamps along both sides of each limb and also added a small screw clamp at each tip.
Before I added the glue I put masking tape on the belly side of the belly, added Saran wrap to the form and around the glue up before adding the spring clamps. Now we wait. I'll give it until tonight or tomorrow before I release it all to see what I've got. Here are a few pics...
(https://i.imgur.com/YmkTQy7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/y17FQQW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IGLdygB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qOKcFjC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8V7BglQ.jpg)
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About 10am, I turned off the hot box so the glue up could cool slowly. About 2:30, after we got home I opened the box and took the glue up and form out...
(https://i.imgur.com/qdSiAZW.jpg)
I removed the clamps and the rubber inner tube bands. With the tips on the table, belly up the handle back is 1 1/2" off the table. One limb has a little more reflex than the other and the glue lines look sloppy. I could tell the glue was fully cured because it only took a minute to draw blood from a sharp edge of glue.
Anyway, here are the limbs...
(https://i.imgur.com/stqbCWQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mmRhqWp.jpg)
I haven't cleaned up the edges yet. I spent a half hour just trying to remove the masking tape from one limb I put on the belly to protect it from glue. Once I grind down the edges it will probably look better. I can see where the bands were stretched around the and the spring clamps were and can see where some of the problems are.
Also, she probably weighs 100# at least now so there will be a lot of reduction coming up.
(https://i.imgur.com/mmRhqWp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/stqbCWQ.jpg)
went to the shop to sand the edges of the bow. Not as bad as I though.
(https://i.imgur.com/8xaoQto.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/skI8f55.jpg)
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Looks like it is coming along nicely Pat. :)
Pappy
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Thanks, Pappy. I haven't done much lately but hopefully I can get back to her soon.
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That’s some good progress right there. I’m watching this one.
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Looks great! Thanks for taking time to post the photos.
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I started tillering this bow today. Needed something to do while I wait for the sinewed bow to cure out. I have it at low brace and reducing the weight as I even up the bend. I checked the weight at 20" and it's 38#. That works out about 56@26, my old draw weight. I'm looking to take it down to about 45#@26" so I have plenty to work with getting the bend even. I'll keep y'all posted.
Like Brad said.. "the fastest way to get there is slowly" and I'm sticking to that theory. ;) :OK
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Very interesting Pat. Something I know nothing about, but always enjoy watching and learning.
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I got a bunch done today. One place I'm a bit concerned about is this knot that runs across the top limb...
(https://i.imgur.com/Wn342xk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xvu636t.jpg)
you can see it at about mid limb.
Here is braced...
(https://i.imgur.com/y67JdgD.jpg)
...a little over half draw...
(https://i.imgur.com/4hLPdcz.jpg)
...and full draw(26")
(https://i.imgur.com/qMLaWmN.jpg)
Not my best job at tiller but it is what it is. I still need to add tip overlays and reshape the limb tips. She draws 42#@26", just under what I was shooting for. She does feel good in the hand with good early draw weight. I'll shoot her some later and report back. I have her sweating at brace and will leave her braced for a few hours.
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Looks great Pat. Thanks for the detailed build along. Glad I’m not the only one who cuts myself on those sharp glue edges ;)
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Tiller looks good to me. Nice build pat. Thanks for taking us along
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Tiller looks good to my eyes as well.
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Pat, well done. Tiller looks good to me too.
Jawge
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Thanks, guys. I shot 15 arrows today and she shoots well but has some hand shock. I think once I shape the limb tips it will smooth that out. I added tip overlays this afternoon so tomorrow I'l shape the tips. Then sanding and a few coats of Tru-Oil and a hemp cord handle wrap with a floppy rest.
I am concerned about the knot that runs across the top limb about mid limb. I guess we'll see.
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I narrowed the tips and added mahogany overlays(TBIII)...
(https://i.imgur.com/SeytP2R.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/joddDBU.jpg)
..of course the dogs are doing what they like to do on a rainy day.
...and I added the leather handle overlay to fill out the back of the handle. Once the glue dries(TBIII)I'll shape it to the handle...
(https://i.imgur.com/X5b9vJR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kx7r9aU.jpg)
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looking good so far, Pat. I dont blame you for having concern over that knot. Suckers will sneak up and nip you when you least expect it.
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Looks like a nice tiller Pat. Sometimes it’s nice having a bunch of half done stuff to switch things up and keep a person from getting impatient and doing something dumb on just one when patience is what is needed.
Yes often times the slow way is the quickest and most dependable way.
Bjrogg
PS Yeah that knot going all the way across is a little scary
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Pearlie, I guess I'm just waiting for something to happen with that knot. I'll be bringing this bow to the Classic so I'll give it a good workout there if not before.
Thanks Brian. It feels good to just be building bows again. It's been a long dry spell for me the last few years.
The locust blank and hickory were given to me a few years ago so I wanted to give it a go no matter what the outcome is. The same guy gave me a lemonwood blank and hickory backing that made a great ALB. I was hoping the same for the locust even though I have bad luck with locust, always have.
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Nice build Pat. The tiller looks good also.
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Looks good Pat, can’t wait to see it and shoot it live . Pappy
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Cool bow! Great idea with the leather and glue. Should be a neat look.
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Thanks, Guys.
Pappy, hopefully by the time for the Classic I'll have 2 for you to shoot.
Dave, I've done this for a few years now.It really makes the handle comfortable bu rounding off it back. Even with selfbows and their crowned backs it makes it more comfortable. I wet the leather first so it will soften enough to form over the back. Once the glue dries I carve the shape with a sharp knife and finish the shaping with a rasp and sandpaper. I saturate it with super glue sometimes but this time I just added Tru-Oil as I'm finishing the bow with it. Here is a pic of it with the Tru-Oil on it...
(https://i.imgur.com/PSHjRsi.jpg)
I put some medium brown Fiebings leather dye on the bow's back.
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Here is a side view of the handle area.
(https://i.imgur.com/xxvr2z5.jpg)
I'm on the 2nd coat of Tru-Oil. Once I get as few more coats around the handle I'll add the Floppy Rest then a hemp cord wrap on the handle. It's raining today so the Tru-Oil curing will be a bit slower.
Modify message
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Here goes the handle wrap.
You have to be sure you wrap the cord the correct direction, going the way your fingers point. If you go the other direction the wrap can loosen over time.
I start the wrap at the top of the handle ares, under the floppy rest for this bow. I lay the tag end along the back of the bow and wrap the cord over the tag...
(https://i.imgur.com/wUT07ry.jpg)
...and wrap 10 or so wraps over the tag...
(https://i.imgur.com/vyWjqW0.jpg)
clip off the tag and continue on...
(https://i.imgur.com/JTfs004.jpg)
When you get near the bottom of the handle lay a separate loop down ans wrap over it...
(https://i.imgur.com/L3ALkTE.jpg)
once you get to the bottom of the handle cut the cord and stick the end through the loop and pull the end of the cord through under the wrap and pull tight then clip the excess cord...
(https://i.imgur.com/PynqjiY.jpg)
...after the handle wrap is complete I like to singe the loose threads that stick out with a cigarette lighter. I didn't take a pic of this.
Now, get the Massey finish ready to saturate the cord wrap. These are what you need to do this...
(https://i.imgur.com/JMDF3i4.jpg)
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I guess I forgot to show the Floppy rest glued to the handle. I grip the handle with my middle finger at the center(balance point for a symmetrical bow) and make a pencil mark right at the top of my hand. This is where the rest of the floppy rests goes. I use contact cement on the bow and the rest...
(https://i.imgur.com/07gHnui.jpg)
I use a sharp razor to bevel the portion that is under the wrap so it allows the wrap to be smooth.
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Here is my process for saturating the cord wrap handle. I use 2 paper towels folded and rolled up for the applicator...
(https://i.imgur.com/ZeAUBtI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/x6t0e4m.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TLBzWIg.jpg)
then I put a wad of 2ton epoxy in a clean container and mix it well...
(https://i.imgur.com/qWKMked.jpg)
then pour about 1/3 of this container with acetone and mix it until the epoxy dissolves...
(https://i.imgur.com/WN6fa1f.jpg)
..and use the rolled paper towel applicator to saturate the cord on the handle. I use as much as it will take...
(https://i.imgur.com/PDdifSx.jpg)
once the wrap is saturated it time to wait for the acetone to evaporate and the epoxy to cure. I don't use any particular recipe. It really doesn't seem to matter for this application.
(https://i.imgur.com/H8un9I7.jpg)
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Looks great. I’m gonna have to try this out.
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I've been doing this for a while now, Dave and it works very well. It's weather proof and gives a positive grip on the bow.
Once the epoxy cures you can sand the wrap to smooth out any rough spots.
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I got her finished up today. I shoot another 25 arrows through her this morning and she shoots quite well. There is still a little hand shock but not bad. After being braced for an hour and shooting 25 arrows she still held 1" of reflex immediately after unbracing. Her draw weight is 43#@26" but she seems to shoot more like a 50# bow.
(https://i.imgur.com/DGqzU5b.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yX4e1Yn.jpg)
The string does track off the left side of the bow. That must have happened at glue up. Not much to do about that now but she still shoots fine.
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She’s a beaut!
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Thanks, Ryan. Hope to see you at the Classic this spring. :OK
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Looks great pat! Looks like a good shooter
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Very nice Pat. Really enjoyed following along. I even learned a few things along the way.