Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sailordad on December 18, 2007, 11:33:10 pm

Title: new to bowmaking
Post by: sailordad on December 18, 2007, 11:33:10 pm
hi, I'm new to this addiction of making bows.And i was wondering if someone could provide a little advise.
first off i am working on a boo backed epee stave that i purchased from RUDDER ARCHERY(beautiful looking stave).while scraping the stave and checking the bend in the limbs I've noticed on one limb what looks like a dent in the wood on the belly side approx, 1/8 inch wide and from side to side.would this be a sign of a hinge?I have never noticed a hinge when i check tiller.and if it's not too much to ask,i was wondering how you know when the stave is ready to have a bow string put on it?
thank you very much for any assistance.
Title: Re: new to bowmaking
Post by: Pat B on December 18, 2007, 11:50:47 pm
Sailor, Its hard to say without seeing the dent.  Could it be where the grain swirled and a piece was released?  You will see a hinge as an area that is bending more than any other along the limb.
   I usually brace a bow for the first time after it has been tillered out to 6"- 8" then brace it only to about 4". Be absolutely sure both limbs are bending evenly before bracing.     Pat
Title: Re: new to bowmaking
Post by: Knocker on December 19, 2007, 01:00:55 am
Do you have access to a digital camera?  You'll get more advice with photos to look at...
Keith
Title: Re: new to bowmaking
Post by: DanaM on December 19, 2007, 07:51:56 am
Welcome to the site sailordad, lots of help to be found here, as knocker said a picture is worth a 1000 words.
Title: Re: new to bowmaking
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 19, 2007, 09:02:15 am
Tough to say without  photo. It all depends on how the limb is bending. If an area is bending too much in relation to the rest of the limb then you have a hinge. There's info on my site. Jawge