Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => HowTo's and Build-a-longs => Topic started by: bootboy on February 14, 2008, 11:34:15 pm

Title: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 14, 2008, 11:34:15 pm
I started off looking for a suitable Peice of wood. When My metalhead friend from the old mill asked me To build him a long bow. I Readily Warmed to the idea of this as he told me Just what he wanted. A bow as tall as he was, in roughly the 80lbs range. The challenge being my friend happens to be seven feet taller. I measured his draw length. It was a freaky 3 feet from fist to chin. I knew my buddy's armspan was large but 3 feet of draw! man!

So I went through the woods near by, i found a pole of birch and had at home drying soon to be identified as Walnut stave. Both of suitable length for my personal viking giant. After weeks of suitable drying of these woods, I pulled out the longest one the full 7 foot long birch stave. A weaker wood yes but my friend wants seven feet and thats all that i had.  I laid out the centerline down the stave, after finding the halfway mark. I decided on a 8" handle.
 I went Onto Primitive archer to ask the experts for their opinion and low and behold I got several useful ones. Thusly spawning this build-a-long.

Before We Get into the meat of this fiberous operah, Lets meet the players shall we?
First is our star
Mr.Birch Stave.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: david w. on February 14, 2008, 11:46:30 pm
this should be fun :)
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: wolfsire on February 15, 2008, 03:08:45 pm
Is that a natural relfex-deflex?
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: jamie on February 15, 2008, 03:12:43 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: FlintWalker on February 15, 2008, 07:20:51 pm
I went today and cut you a rivercane arrow for this bow. I'll post a picture later.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: wolfsire on February 15, 2008, 08:20:07 pm
I went today and cut you a rivercane arrow for this bow. I'll post a picture later.

I see a joke coming.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: FlintWalker on February 15, 2008, 08:23:07 pm
Well here ya go! ;D ;D ;D  I had you in mind when I cut this one. It should fit a giant bow perfectly. 
  It's laying beside one of my "other" cane arrows. ;D  Saw Filer

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: DanaM on February 15, 2008, 09:44:52 pm
Shannon you sure that ain't Jack's beanstalk ::) ;) ;D
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: Kegan on February 15, 2008, 11:33:25 pm
Shannon you sure that ain't Jack's beanstalk ::) ;) ;D

So that's what the giant did with that stalk after it got chopped down :D
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: FlintWalker on February 15, 2008, 11:56:26 pm
I been eyeballing this cane patch for a month now. From the road they looked good, nice and tall and about a half acre of 'em. So today I decided to check them out. They were about a half a mile across a bottom and when I got over there, this is what I found. Narry one of 'em was under 10' with most of 'em more like 20' tall. The one I cut was by no means the biggest, just one I cut for a short gig pole.
  I wish I had some BIG feathers and a point. It would look neat as a giant arrow.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 16, 2008, 03:59:16 am
Also with Leading roles in our Preformance:
                                                           Mr. Mac Hetti
                                                           Sir Stanley Surform
                                                           Mr.Hack Saw esq.
                                                           2" chisel
                                                           The File bag Gang
                                                           Mr. Mark Ing Pencil (debuting fresh from china)

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 16, 2008, 04:21:33 am
ok, and
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 16, 2008, 04:27:18 am
.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 16, 2008, 04:43:05 am
ok ok enough of the tools right?
So I layed out the centerline and then the handle.
Then I will measure out the full limb measurments. After ward, I will being working it down with Mr. Hetti and Sir stanley

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 01:35:20 pm
If I may suggest...leave the handle area full width and thickness until the bow is almost completed. This will give you a place to clamp it while working on the limbs and you can make final adjustments if the handle area comes out off center.  ;)   Pat
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: Hillbilly on February 16, 2008, 02:36:44 pm
This is going to be good. How wide are you making it?
PS-Shannon, that cane would make some good atlatl darts.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 16, 2008, 07:13:29 pm
Thanks pat I'll keep that In mind.

Thanks for all the comments thus far.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: John K on February 17, 2008, 10:59:43 am
Looking foward to the adventure  :o ;D
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:35:57 pm
Ah yes, back on track. Before he takes the stage, here we see Birch, In make-up having his lines laid out for him. From center to tip, he tapers 1 1/4" to a half inch. 3 and a half feet. The taper begins about 13 1/2" from his tip. the last portion on Mr. Stave's grain was troublesome and hard to follow though was easy finished with a short ruler the straighten up the ends.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:36:31 pm
Here is a better view of the tapered tip layout.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:37:52 pm
oops here

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: cowboy on February 19, 2008, 09:40:43 pm
Just got a chance to look at this - aught to be interesting!
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:42:49 pm
After his make-up has been applied, Mr.Hack Saw gives Birch a helping hand to remove alot of baggage before his preformance.. By making a series of small cuts up to the outline of the bow; its made easy to remove a large amount of wood quickly and acurately.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:43:40 pm
Here is the what it should look something like before you begin to chisel
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:45:48 pm
dang I always hit post before the photos up hehe .

Photo.
Soo I've made sure to make the cuts close enough together, that tare away will be minimized.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:48:29 pm
After all the cuts were made to Mr.stave. I began working with 2' chisel and the more then famous, PERSUADER! and with the bevelled edge of the chisel held toward the stave you pretty well could just use hand force. The size of the saw cuts I made, make this like brushing dirt off your arm.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:49:25 pm
did it again. ugh!

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:51:14 pm
Annnd just chisel off the bulk

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:53:16 pm
Be careful when Coming up to knots or other trouble spots, again making small enough cuts with the hacksaw then carefull chiselling you can get through it easily.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 09:55:52 pm
Ah yes, and now a much slimmer Brich stave will begin to take the stage. Here he is after some help from make up and friends.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 10:00:06 pm
Also I forgot to mention that I left the handle section full width as you said Pat B. It was a lot of help thanks mate.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 10:01:11 pm
oops ::)

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 10:02:27 pm
Now I will remove the handle section and begin the tillering.
Hoping to get 80lbs @ 3 feet
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 10:10:34 pm
Ladies and gentlemen.  I'm a saddened to tell you this, but at exactly 2:05pm tuesday the 19th of febuary. Our star Mr.Birch stave had a tragic collision with a mouthy skinhead and broke his limb. The skin was quicly escort off the premesis with some harsh words.

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 10:19:57 pm
...well..

um....the show must go on..



THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF BOOTBOY: In the 65" long bow...featuring BIRCH STAVE!!

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Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 20, 2008, 04:26:14 pm
um....actually...lets just remove this horrible build a long completely the last remains of the bow broke. I think its actually basswood. And that it was haunted by a spirit of poor craftsmanship. haha
This never happened.....
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: wolfsire on February 20, 2008, 08:58:54 pm
Nice try.  Do over.  Looking forward to it.
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: cowboy on February 20, 2008, 10:09:55 pm
Honorable attempt bootboy! Sorry to see it crashed on ya - grab some other hard wood in your area and giver another shot :).
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: DanaM on February 20, 2008, 10:45:16 pm
Sorry to see this is over dang it was just getting good ;D
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 21, 2008, 12:36:32 pm
Eh. can you do? if they break they break. Start over, work slower, and more carefully.
Stay tuned for the sequel.

WALNUT..one man's journey through grain.
 
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: Mazku on February 21, 2008, 05:51:45 pm
Too bad it broke, it was really funny to follow the buildalong.

Is the hacksaw technique faster, easier and more precise compared to using an axe + rasp
Title: Re: The amazing adventures of bootboy : The 7 Foot Longbow Build-a-long
Post by: bootboy on February 21, 2008, 09:44:32 pm
thanks mate. It was fun to make it.
Yes I think that in the  case with a 3" diameter log of birch or basswood whatever this was the hacksaw was indeed the fastest most precise tool for the job.