Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: El Destructo on January 29, 2010, 04:29:51 pm
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Well Deer Season is over...We got 14 inches of Snow...the City Plows ain't Plowing...so I hit the Garage Yesterday...and started on a Glue Up I put together this last Summer....It's an Air Dried Birdseye Maple Board from Upper Michigan....I backed it with Pignut Hickory for a little added Assurance against the massive amounts of fugue in the Maple....when I glued it up...I induced way too much Reflex... ::)...5 Inches to be exact! Anyways...I cut it out....and started drawknifing it late yesterday afternoon...and here is where I am at as of right now...I have it Tillered to 25 inches....at 65 pounds...I am shooting for 28 at 70 pounds...so I should have no problems there at all...I just hope that the Maple can take that kind of weight....we'll find out...eh! The Bow is 66 inches long 64 NTN.... 2 1/4" wide at the widest parts of the Paddles....It carrys 2 1/2" of Reflex after being Unstrung...and relaxing to 3" in less than an Hour...This was my first heavy reflexed Bow...and what difference there is in the Tillering Process...Man you have to go slow to make sure that you don't remove too much too fast! All in All ...this was a great learning Experience for Me....I still have to stain it and Paint It....You can't make a Paddle Bow without Artwork...now can You..... :P...I will attach pictures of the Drawings and a Full Draw when paint is Dry
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Man that is looking good El D !!! How hard was it to brace for the first time? Cant wait to see it finished up! :) -josh
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Nice! Tiller looks kill!
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looking great bro... looks like a real pretty killer!
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Man that is looking good El D !!! How hard was it to brace for the first time? Cant wait to see it finished up! :) -josh
Josh...It was a Beast to get a String on...about as hard...maybe harder to String as my Korean Bow...it about twisted me like a Pretzel at first...Slipped the Large loop over the the Top Pin Nock...slid it down the Limb....put the String Loop on the Bottom Pin Nock......put the Bow Tip on a Rug...Kneeled into the Center of the Handle...went to slide the String Loop up....and She spun around in a Circle...and the Bow about got me where it counts........ :o
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Man that is looking good El D !!! How hard was it to brace for the first time? Cant wait to see it finished up! :) -josh
Josh...It was a Beast to get a String on...about as hard...maybe harder to String as my Korean Bow...it about twisted me like a Pretzel at first...Slipped the Large loop over the the Top Pin Nock...slid it down the Limb....put the String Loop on the Bottom Pin Nock......put the Bow Tip on a Rug...Kneeled into the Center of the Handle...went to slide the String Loop up....and She spun around in a Circle...and the Bow about got me where it counts........ :o
Been there... I really love the outcome of a highly reflexed bow but I really, really, really hate trying to brace it for the first time. :) -josh
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El D,
Yer all set for them "chargin elephants" or maybe a UP Chipmunk tryin hard to escape that Dana ::) Man you must be young and full of beans bud (70 @ 28) ! Nice bow as allways eh.
half eye ;)
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I may be full of Beans....but I am pushin 52 really hard right now........ ;D
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Yup I got dem der chippy's runnin fer der lives donchano eh ;)
I'm surprised a drawknife worked in birdseye must have been sharper than all hell.
Looks good Mike and bet that one will take meat when it smacks yer wrist eh :D
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That's a fine looking bow! Great craftmanship! Yeah, snowstorms have a way of bringing out the bow and/or arrow making time. I got a bunch of arrows made during our big snowstorm. But, this is actually ancient tradition as I understand winter is when a lot of tribes would make arrows or new bows. What else they gonna do? Well, they could tell stories. "We're going to hear the story about Coyote and the---" "Awwww, all the Coyote stories are re-runs!" ;D
Couldn't help but notice the plates on display. My wife has a bunch of plates, except they're all hanging on the walls. She says it's a Greek thing. But, hey, we've also got skulls and spears and quivers of arrows on the walls, too. That's a predator thing! >:D
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Hell mike if I was you I would be out doing donuts in that Shelby >:D woooooooohooooooooooo ;D
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Hell mike if I was you I would be out doing donuts in that Shelby >:D woooooooohooooooooooo ;D
Dana....The SHELBY is in the Garage with a Blankie on Her...She's Cold...... :P...Gotta take care of My Girl.......... >:D
As for the Drawknife...yep ...it's sharp as a Razor...but all I did was Hog Off excess with the Knife....then I used my Stanley Surform to shape it up.....and a Jigsaw to cut Her Voluptuous Shape out...and Shannon's Homemade Scraper to Fine Scrape it down to nail the Tiller
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That baby is looking real good 8)
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El D,
That Is Nice! How thick is that hickory backing?
Frode
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It's like 1/10"....200/1000ths....before Sanding and rounding it....spent the last hour shaping the Pin Nocks...had to go with my Old Favorite.... 8)
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Looks great! Well done. Jawge
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Looks great Mike!
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Very nice, Mike.
Does this one get a paint job on the back?
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Thanks John....Jawge...I appreciate the Flattery..... ::)....and GMC....You know it's fixin to get a Full Body Massage...... >:D
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That is nice, Mike. That Maple looks good, I want to see it stained.
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I thought so. ::)
Any tips on the kind of paint you use and how you seal it afterwards would be much appreciated. I've seen a couple you've done in the past and really admire the work.
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Eddie...you asked for it...so here is the first coat of Stain...I am going to wet sand it with Atain tomorrow...then let it dry...and soak it with Danish Oil...then Bear Grease
GMC.....I usually use Artists Paints from Michaels...or Hobby Lobby...but I have done them with Alcohol and Pigments too...I think the Pigments are morenatural and subdued...but I like the Artists Paints better....JMO
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Beautiful work!!! That maple is so pretty with finish on it......
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Now that's pretty, can't wait to see the paint job.
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Good job EL you must not be very deep in that Makers Mark
Ron
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Just 4 three finger glasses of it so far.......... :P
Does that Puppy have enough Back Bend for Ya....... :o......I think that the Next One will be about half of this.......... :P
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Looks real nice Mike ! That Maple sure does look once the finish hits it. Can i ask ya what the advantage is, in a paddle bow ?
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Can i ask ya what the advantage is, in a paddle bow ?
NONE!! They are a Pain In The Ass to Tiller...compared to a D Bow...an especially a Reflexed paddle Bow...I just like the Way they look...and feel...they are a really cool Bow the way the Limbs taper and swell...just a really Artsy Fartsy Bow...thats all...... >:D
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Thanks Mike, They do have a cool look to them, going to have to try one sometime !
I'm looking foward to the finished bow
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That's the same thing I was wondering; the thickness taper must be all jacked up with that style. I want to try a reflex/deflex Wampanoag/Andaman/Mollegabet hybrid mess, but I'm not sure my tillering skills are up to it. I probably should see if I can tiller a classic Sudbury before I tackle that one.
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That's an awesome job Mike....I really like the look of that maple!
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Jude....a Sudbury/Wampanoag Bow is about the same Experience level when it comes to Tillering...a True West Coast Paddle Bow is even tougher...because of the Minimal Length of these Bows...45-50 inches in length...no room for error there!!
The Maple is really cool looking...but Birdseye is not a terribly Strong Wood...the thing that gives it it's Character...also gives it a Weakness....the Grain...thats why I always Back them...Birdseye Maple...especially this grade...is not Cheap...and I have to wait till Vacation every Year to get my Supplies from Michigan...because I don't buy Kiln Dried Wood...it's all Green or Air Dried when I get it
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Thanks, I'm definitely going to try it, but I think my first will be a straight stave, leaving reflex out of the equation till I get the hang of it.
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EL D
That is turning out to be one beautiful looking bow. Nice work.
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You've turned out another incredibly crafted bow of my favorite style in some of the prettiest maple I've ever seen. Remarkable bow and thanks for sharing this lethal piece of art with us.
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Wow, that's really nice!
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Beautiful bow El D, looks great!
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wow,that is great looking stick..very clean work.....i have an Indian stick coming up and i don't know if want to post it with you doing such good work ;D ;D...john
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A great looking bow. Fine tiller and the Birdseye Maple is just wonderfull.
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Man oh Man those Texas blizzards really get you motivated. Looking good. kenneth
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Thanks Guys...I just Hope that the Finished Bow doesn't let anyone down....especially Me.... :-[....Kenneth...it must be the Yooper in Me...every time it Snows.....I feel like I am in Da UP ...and Snowbound...so theres nothing to do but Make Bows...and make.............. :P............... >:D......so you see what I was doing....... :P
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Ahh Mike wasn't yer wife at work ;) That meant you had no choice but make bows >:D
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Thats some pretty wood there, maple alone is beautiful wood and my wood of choice, but that takes the cake.
VB
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Thanks V.B....and that what I was trying to get at...You Bonehead....the Wife was Working Nights....so there was only two things ta do....so I chose Building Bows!!
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that is nice. like the stain job.
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That is some of the prettiest pieces of wood I've ever seen! Beautiful bow!
Mark
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I'm in to second all of the positive comments - the symmetry is spellbinding - she's got some brick sh*thouse curves goin' on !!
Craftsmanship par excellence !!!
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:-[... :-[ ...:-[... :-[ ...:-[... :-[... :-[ ...:-[
Thanks Guys
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it's gonna be hard to shoot accurately with that......can't stop staring at the belly! ;)
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cant wait to seee finished pics. thats just awesome.
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That sure is a pretty piece of wood Mike. Where'd you find a piece that long? Had to be pricey..... :o
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That sure is a pretty piece of wood Mike. Where'd you find a piece that long? Had to be pricey..... :o
Ryan...My Brother Brian used to work for Robbins Flooring Mill in Ishpeming Michigan...they make all of the Parquet Basketball Floors for the NBA Teams...along with Major Colleges...He used to buy Boards from work before they hit the Kilns...and I would get to pick from them...He had a whole Garage full of the Stuff...but last Year...He had a Cabinet Maker come to His new Log House...and they did the whole Kitchen in MY BOW WOOD... >:(....now I only have two pieces left...but He has Kitchen Cabinets....a Buffet...and a 24 Gun Gun Cabinet out of the rest...... :'(
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That's purty, Mike.
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El D,
Just a couple more questions, the cross section of this bows limbs looks basically flat (rectangular) with generously rounded corners, if I'm seeing it right? And, what are you using to glue the backing?
Really sharp looking!
Thanks,
Frode
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I will guarantee you that the thickness of the Limbs is Not the Same...anywhere on the Limbs...the Bows are really a flattened Oval...whats the word....Lenticular...I believe.... These Bows were either Split out of a Log...with a Quartersawn Grain so to speak....made from a large wide tree...to keep the Flatish Back....or De-crowned to achieve the same...if De-crowned...they were Sinew Backed for Strength and Durability
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OK....been messing with this all Morning....well in between watching Battlestar Galactica / The Plan.... ;D....I got all of the Pigment on...now I have to let it dry a day or two....then I can Seal it with Danish Oil and rub it down with Bear Grease.....
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I will guarantee you that the thickness of the Limbs is Not the Same...anywhere on the Limbs...the Bows are really a flattened Oval...whats the word....Lenticular...I believe.... These Bows were either Split out of a Log...with a Quartersawn Grain so to speak....made from a large wide tree...to keep the Flatish Back....or De-crowned to achieve the same...if De-crowned...they were Sinew Backed for Strength and Durability
Ah! And with the pigment added pics I see it clearly now. Great finish!
So say we all!
Frode
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Hey, looks great Mike.
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dang Mike that turned out nice.. Cant wait to see it all finished up! Great painting! :) -josh
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damn Mike that turned out sweeter than apple butter man :o
one of these days i might have to try and talk you out of one of them paddle bows of yours,them suckers always turn out sweet
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Nice job, El D. I love the art work. ;D
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Travis...Josh...Tim and ADB...thank you very much for the Compliments.....and Tim...start Talking now...You might be able to Sweet Talk Me out of One after the Classic....I have to make one before then...so I can Doneat it to pappy for a Raffle Prize for the Club
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Wow Mike Not sure how I missed this one but I;m very impressed. Beautiful wood. Love the paint scheme on the back. Great looking bow. Congratulations.
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Thanks Keenan...these are some of My Favorite Bows...if ya can't tell... ;)...and that Birdseye is just awesome looking...the Pictures don't do it Justice at all
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Beautiful work Mike,I like that a lot.Tiller looks good and the finish work is outstanding. :)
Pappy
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Love it Mike, the paddle bows are very unique looking, may have to try one.
BTW I have a line on some birdseye ;)
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Awesome bow El D 8) The artwork came out great. I can't wait to get home to try one of those. Hopefully my house doesn't take up all my time this summer :-\
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Well here it is in all it's Splendor...I am done tweaking it....It's not supposed to be a Beauty Queen anyways!! The Bow is 66 inches long 64 NTN.... 2 1/4" wide at the widest parts of the Paddles....It carrys 2 1/2" of Reflex after Shooting and being Unstrung...and relaxing to 3 1/2" in less than an Hour of Resting...The Final Stats are...73# @ 28" of Draw...Shoots with great Authority....Hits right where I Aim....I am very Happy with the way it turned out...and the way it looks...I was going to put a Leather Grip on it...have it all cut and ready...but I really like the way it looks right now....What do You think...Grip Leather ...or No Grip Leather??
Here are a few Pictures of the Finished Bow...Hope that You like it
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I like it.
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Ooooh I almost forgot the Money Shots......... Now please pay attention to the Workmanship and Detail that went into this Bow...not the Sexy 6'2" Tall 235 pound Hunk that is weilding it.....I have been working all Winter on that 30-Pack...and I am proud to Show It Off in my New Sweats........ ;D....I was going for a Manny Padrone Shot...but there is a foot of White Stuff still on the Ground...and now it's Raining PrairieDogs out there...so this will have to do!! Kinda Looks Like Fatbastard from The Spy Who Shagged Me....... :P
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LOL Fat bastard loved that scene ;D
Mike the bow is stunning, that is one of nicest pieces of birdseye I've ever seen and living where I do I've seen lots of it ;)
The Paint job is over the top, tiller is excellent, and the attention to detail is stupendous :) BOM material for sure even though
its not an osage recurve :o >:D Sorry just couldn't resist :D I suffer from a bad case of impulsiveness donchano eh ;)
Ok so when ya gonna make me a 45-50 lber at 25"? ;D in other words a kids bow :D
Glad ya spared us the Manny shots, not a pretty sight :P
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Mike, you and Jawge, must share the same fashion consultant ;-)
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I told ya to admire the Bow.......... :D.........Yeah....I do love My Sweats...and in the Summer...it's Tank Tops...and Shorts.... ;D
And Dana.... Nothing I make is ever BOM Material......been proving it for Years Now.....I am just glad that some like them...but in the end...all that matters is....I like them....... ;)
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Looks like BOM material too me. Very Nice!
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El D
That is one heck of a bow. Absolutely Beautiful. The combo of the birdseye and the paintwork is great. Tiller looks really fine also........... Now, those sweats are another story all together. ;D
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mike you know i done like pretty bows
but DAMN SON that is a pretty bow.
the birds eye is stunning,the paint really adds beauty to the whole thing too
put next time im gonna have to recomend a one piece orange work utility for the dress code for ya ;)
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I don't do Orange....Don't Ask....I have my reasons........... :-X
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Boy I really admire the style here, work of art indeed. Anyway to get a closer shot of the massage job? Just downright sharp, I recon......
Fashion Tip:
The cold water setting on washer will prevent a little more shinkage. Just a thought, but you may want to confirm that with Jawge. ;D
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Boy I really admire the style here, work of art indeed. Anyway to get a closer shot of the massage job? Just downright sharp, I recon......
GMC...what are you wanting a Closeup of..........My Belly........ >:D
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Boy I really admire the style here, work of art indeed. Anyway to get a closer shot of the massage job? Just downright sharp, I recon......
GMC...what are you wanting a Closeup of..........My Belly........ >:D
yeah it's dead sexy!!! Of course I mean the bow ;D
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Both are pretty sexy but I'd rather see that fine decor on the bow. ;)
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OK...here are a few More Pictures...I wasn't sure if you wanted Close-Ups of the Grain...or the Details Work...but here goes...remember...this was Freehanded...so it aint all Straight Lines....... ;)
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spectacular....I really like that!
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Thanks for the extra preview. Excellent work and thanks for sharing, (the bow that is). The rest you may need to work on.
;D
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Yeah....I am fixin to start the Billy Blanks Tae-Bo and the Buns of Steel Workout Videos ...so I can be like Eddie by the Tennessee Classic...Black Headed....6'2" of solid Ripped Muscle...can't wait to Start......... >:D
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nice bow mike! thanks for taking us along on this journey. full draw looks awesome. :) -josh
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Turned out real nice! i like it!
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Ha! The bow looks Great Mike, but how about tucking in your shirt for the full draw next time ! :-X LOL.... ;D
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El D.
looks good, great work you need to find some more flooring >:D
II BYRDS
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Gorgeous! Got anyone to crank it back for a full draw pic?
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So so pretty!
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That is a fabulous bow. Great shape, great paint, and that birdseye maple is just wonderful. I love it. I may have to have a go at one myself. There doesnt seem to be much birdseye maple over here in the UK, but I have found a handy luthier's website, where I can buy a long thick piece which would otherwise become a neck for an electric bass guitar. I like guitars (and basses especially), but I think that I will have to buy some of that wood for a bow belly.
Would a bamboo backing be too strong for the birdseye belly? How does the birdseye maple work? Very hard or OK?
Keep up the good work!
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Gorgeous! Got anyone to crank it back for a full draw pic?
Go to page 5 Don...there is a Big Fat UGLY Dude Cranking on it........ >:D
Ryan...if I would have had someone taking them Pictures...instead of Me...then maybe I would have been warned or ME Belly...hanging on out there....... ;D...but then I have been working on that Fat Layer all Fall...to take Me through the Cold Panhandle Winter.... :P
Bob...Birdseye Maple is not easy to work...most Tools will snag the Grain...and lift out chunks if you are not really carefull...It is really tough stuff...but I would never attempt to make a Bow from it without a Backing...and I think Bamboo would be fine...I have used Maple...Hickory...and Walnut for Backing so far...but never Bamboo...maybe next time!
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What a fine bow and well worth the wait. Bookmarked, too, for Feb Laminates
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Stunning bow Mike! Just gorgeous all around. 8)
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Wow :o That is one nice bow. Looks like BOM material to me as well. They might have to edit the full draw to make it PG ;D
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Wow They might have to edit the full draw to make it PG ;D
Whats PG stand for Jesse.......Puss Gut........... :P
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great craftsmanship on this one Mike...and since you asked: no grip!
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Yeah Scott...you are the First to respond...and I already decided ...No Grip...Looks better the way it is....Thanks
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Mike I think this is one of the nicest bows you have made yet. the birds eye maple really sets it off. I showed the bow to my wife and all she noticed was your quilt,
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absolutly beautiful bow ,this is an example of where i would like to be in a few years !! mike ever consider sewing buckskin fringe to your shirt bottom, might help keep the draft out !!
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Excellent craftsmanship Mike! I suppose you have a display rack in the backglass of the Shelby for it, I would ;D
Tracy
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Excellent craftsmanship Mike! I suppose you have a display rack in the backglass of the Shelby for it, I would ;D
Tracy
Now thats an Idea......... >:D
Robbsbass...the Quilt is Handmade also...just not me!! Thats something that My Grandmother Passed on to Us Kids....She was the Quilter and Crochetter...... ;)
OK Ken...Nuff of the Fat Jokes now.......... ;D
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WOW!
Great lookin' bow - Someone once quoted you as saying "If it don't go fast, chrome it" at 73#, I'll bet it it don't need no chrome!
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WOW!
Great lookin' bow - Someone once quoted you as saying "If it don't go fast, chrome it" at 73#, I'll bet it it don't need no chrome!
I forgot about that Quote..... ;D....and No....it won't need to be Chromed....it's a Goer...not a Shower......... ;)
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Really cool bow Mike!! I've never made one of those paddle bows, but looking at your's makes me want to. Love the bird's eye maple and the art work, looks great!
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That is one purty bow! ;D
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Very nice Mike ! It turned out GREAT !!
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Thanks Guys...I appreciate all the kind Words...almost as much as Shooting this Bad Boy......... :P
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I'm no expert yet, but to me that is a beautiful bow !!! Hope to make something that great one day myself. Where do you get the maple? That has to be some of the prettiest wood there is. Keep showing, its an inspiration to us beginners.
steve