Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: whitewoodshunter on August 12, 2008, 07:03:38 pm
-
A bow I am working on is a maple sapling with about 5 inches of reflex The one limb it was natural but the other I steamed in. How do I go about tillering this bow? Also the stave has pithe in it which I scraped out. How will this effect the quality of the bow? It was also pretty knotty so I backed it with 2 layers of fiberglass. The knotts I scraped out and filled them part way with super glue. Was this a wise thing to do? I am trying to make a character bow so the slits where the pithe was and the knots make it look pretty cool.
-
A bow I am working on is a maple sapling with about 5 inches of reflex The one limb it was natural but the other I steamed in. How do I go about tillering this bow? Also the stave has pithe in it which I scraped out. How will this effect the quality of the bow? It was also pretty knotty so I backed it with 2 layers of fiberglass. The knotts I scraped out and filled them part way with super glue. Was this a wise thing to do? I am trying to make a character bow so the slits where the pithe was and the knots make it look pretty cool.
-
So why did you use fiberglass is you wanted a charcter bow? You kinda defeated your purpose. Tillering is easy, help the bow bend slowly, remove the flat spots from the belly, execise the bow between wood removal.
-
The fiberglass will most likely make it bullet proof :o As Dano said just get both limbs bending evenly
-
Typically the way we would do a bow like that in this community would be to perhaps leave the knots and maybe back with silk. Having put fiber glass on it pretty much nullifies any chance of it being considered a character bow, or from generating much interest from the group at large. Its a primitive board. Welcome though and glad to see you. Try one like I said some time, maybe with natural fiber backing or no backing. The pithe wouldn't hurt it too much -- such a project, done primitive, is a fun type one, and you're not really expecting a screamer
Dave
-
is it not a character bow, after adding f/g cloth to the back? keeps the same shape, doesn't it? fiberglass is modern sinew...
-
Not the "F" word! :o We don't use that word here. :P
There are plenty of other "natural" material backings that would be more appropriate for the type of bow your making such as rawhide, sinew, or even linen or silk.
Radius, "FG" will not do the same thing as sinew, sinew is stretchy like a rubber band. If anything it (FG) might over power the belly of the bow and make it take more set.
-
i dont understand, whats this thing you call fiberglass ???
is it a glass made from fibers,like a cordage cup maybe
tim
-
I m currently working on a maple sapling bow backed with fiberglass.. It has about 5 inches of reflex. How do I go about tillering this bow
I have never tillered a bow with so much reflex.
-
I don't understand you guys. This site is to help fellow bowyers right?Not to run them down?Are you trying to tell my that everyone here does every bow the primitive way with a piece of flint or chert? No, you use modern tools to make "primitive bows" and the tell me not to use fiberglass? Thats not right dues. I'll take my questions elsewhere!
-
" fiberglass is modern sinew..."
WRONG!
-
Whitewoodshunter, nobody will tell you not to use FG. Lots of guys here make bows with FG, we just don't discuss it here. There are a lot of bow sites on the internet with FG and only one that doesn't. You happen to have found the one that tries to avoid it. I don't think you understood what Dano was trying to say. If you are backing a bow with FG why not start with a nice clean board. The beauty of a bow with a lot of knots is kind of hidden under the FG and would have looked nicer if you had built it without FG and put a pretty finish on it to show off the character.
Tiller the bow like any other bow, the steaming of the bow wont make a difference. The super glue in the knots is a good thing. Scraping the pith out needs done, but be carefull that you haven't compromised the area. You might have to leave it a little stiff around some of the knots and pithy area. Justin
-
I m currently working on a maple sapling bow backed with fiberglass.. It has about 5 inches of reflex. How do I go about tillering this bow
I have never tillered a bow with so much reflex.
If its a ridged handled bow with a lot of reflex or recurve I like to start tillering by clamping the handle section in a vise and check the tiller of each limb by pulling back on the limb tip with my hand. Once you start to get it bending fairly evenly put it on your tillering rack clamped on with a C clamp and tiller with a long string like normal until you feel its bending evenly enough to brace it........
-
Justin's right, that's what I meant to say. Sorry I can't even spell tact.
-
Why do I get the feeling that everytime this kind of thread pops up on here, same kind of question, just worded different, it's the same person or group of (person), people jerking our chains? It always starts the same debate, argument, and name calling with everybody on here. And the one that started it leaves in a huff never to be heard from again? When you check out their Profiles, it is always the same. They just registered, 3 to 5 post, everything hidden, and then "I don't like you guy's anymore, wah, wah."
-
" fiberglass is modern sinew..."
WRONG!
I 2nd the post. Coulndt said it better. Ya know this crap is really boring like Mullet said............. bob
-
:-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :)
-
you guys all play nice...
don't worry too much about the guys who come and go...but if they're snapped at when they first show up, it's no surprise they take off...
-
I don't think anybody was snapping-he even got some helpful answers. By becoming a member of the board, you agree to abide by the rules of discussion , including this one:
Rule #3
Topics and posts should be related to primitive archery in some way. If you want to discuss other topics in life there are plenty of other places on the internet you can go. This place is about primitive archery. Discussions on the use of post-industrial materials (yes that means FG) is not allowed here.
-
Tillering a bow with a lot of reflex is hard becasue there is a lot of strain stored in the bow at brace height. I would reduce the reflex to 3" maybe by steaming it before proceeding further. I am not sure that backings of any kind do well with steam or dry heat, so consider that as you work this one. You could also put deflex in the handle and leave the tips with that much reflex and this would help matter, I think. Worked for me on a short osage bow.
-
I would just do as Ryan advised, put the bow in a vice and flex each limb sepeartely as you would a recurve. With all the knots and backing heat or steam may cause more damage than need be.
-
Tillering a bow with that much reflex is not easy. A poor choice for an inexperienced bowyer. Start with a straight stave instead, FG or not.
-
Inexperienced? Ive been building bows for 12 years. But this was my first time with a bow that had that much reflex or using the " F" word.
-
So how can we help an experienced bowyer like your self? Do you have any questions about some of the advice you have been given?
-
Hahahahaha...oops sorry..thought that was a joke....Brian
-
Sand or cut off the fiberglass, tiller or heat the belly to get the reflex to under two inches, preferably less, and back it with something natural,I'd use a very thin bamboo trapped on the sides, or black leather.
There now you have advice from someone with twenty years experience. and over 300 high quality bows hunting and competing all over the world...
feel better?
-
Rich that was great advice. Now let me clean the nose-shot coffee off the screen.
-
Hey, Whitewoods
We can't read your mind! If you've got 12 years of bow making, why are you asking us how to tiller a bow? Introduce yourself, be polite. As you've seen, if you get huffy, you're not going to get a very positive response. We try not to talk about FG, as this is a primitive archery site. FG isn't evil, but we all try and build wood bows here.
-
I would like to start by apologizing to anyone I may have offended. I agree The "F" is not Primitive in any way. I"m sorry. My name is Bill and I"m from Clarion County Pennsylvania. I have been building bows for 12 years.In the past I have always built self bows and sinew backed bows.And now I am going to stick to that!!!! 3 years ago I was a member of this forum(never made many posts though) but I moved and never got a new computer.I always buy the Primitive Archer Mag.I am not new to bow making but I am always open to new ideas and good advice.I took everyones advice and criticism and took the " F" off the bow and am now working on applying a sinew backing.Thanks for the advice.I look forward to further advice and help.
-
Hi Bill, I'm from the Erie/Crawford county area in Pennsylvania. Have we met before??? My name is Ryan O'Sullivan.
-
Welcome back Bill, keep us posted on this bow, sounds like a challenging stave.
-
Hey, Bill
Welcome back!! No offense taken! Glad to have you around again. Like I said, FG isn't evil, it's just not in the spirit of things on this forum. I have many FG bows. I guess we do pretty much evrything but! Your vast experience should be nothing but an asset around here! Oh yah, welcome back from the FG dark side!
-
If you get a chance to post some pics that would be great. Sounds like a neat bow.
Tracy
-
I went to college at Clarion. The thread heading is anthropologically interesting in that the word "sale" is pronounced as ::) ::)"sell" in western Pennsylvania.
-
Welcome Bill,
I have alot of respect for someone who has the guts to appologize and move forward. Looks like you have some good advice and dirrection for your bow, but don't hesitate to ask for whatever hurtles you have. There are alot of really talented bowyers on here that are very willing to help.
As most would agree it dosen't matter how much experience someone has, you will still come across things you haven't done or seen befor. Thats the beauty of having this site so we can all learn from one another.
-
Welcome back Bll, no offence taken. I thought it was kinda funny, I've been called an a##hole before. I wasn't sure if you were real or not.
-
Hey thanks guys. Primitive is the way to go!!!!
-
See, Bill, this is the greatest online community of all. And speaking of chert, there are some guys here who build bows using stone age tools only. Check out Jamie's awesome work - there is a new thread that shows him and his son and daughter who built bows using only stone.
-
Thats cool I also have made bows with only stone age tools. It hard work but its worth it!!!