Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Kidder on March 05, 2021, 02:36:00 pm
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Welcome to the 2021 Primitive Archer Bow Trade! This is my first year organizing it and I would like to carry on with the success of previous years. I have followed the previous threads actively but have not yet participated myself, so if there are things that I am missing, please don't hesitate to let me know!
The purpose of the trade is to share our skills with our community here and make the BEST bow you have ever made for your recipient, and to have a lot of fun along the way! It really should hurt a little to send out your bow, and if you do not share this philosophy, then please do not sign up. If you do share this then, let's get building! The rules for the trade are listed below.
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Please read this entire post before signing up so you know what you are getting into. Here is how to sign up:
1. Send me a PM with the following information:
Full Name
Full Address
Email Address
Telephone number
Which Country(ies) you will ship to
ALSO PLEASE INCLUDE A LINK TO A SUCCESSFUL COMPLETED BOW YOU HAVE POSTED HERE - IT WILL MAKE MY LIFE EASIER!
2. Reply to this post with, I'm in and include bow specs preferred
Example: LH or RH
Draw Weight 45-55 pounds
Draw length 27 to 29 inches
Here are the rules:
A. In order to sign up, you must have posted at least one successful bow on this site. Please don't be offended if I ask for verification.
B. All participants in this trade need to participate in the thread and post pictures of their progress, Start out by posting a picture of the stave, staves, board, billets, etc. that you plan to use for the build. then continue to post progress of your build. If a participant does not post the progress of their build then it is up to my discretion to remove them from the trade (I only do this after several failed attempts to communicate with you several different ways!)
C. No bows should be shipped to someone that is not making progress on their bow. If you are done with your bow and ready to ship, please be in touch with me to help decide if you should ship or not.
D. Any participant that chooses can also build a second bow to be used as a reserve. The reserve bows will be used to ensure that ALL participating members get a bow. Please let me know if you plan to build a reserve bow so if it is needed I know who to contact.
E. Deadline for signing up will be the end of the day, March 26th.
F. Shipping deadline will be Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
G. Have fun.
H. Communicate with me. I understand things happen that can keep you from building a bow. If this happens, the sooner you can let me know, the better. I can then reshuffle the trade and everything can work out.
I. NEW THIS YEAR - as an incentive for your hard work, if you finish your bow on time and meet the shipping deadline your name will go in the hat for a drawing. I haven't decided what it will be yet, but it'll be exciting - maybe a book, or a hand tool, or arrow shafts, or a jar of honey from my bees...we'll just have to wait and see! UPDATE: Selfbowman has so graciously agreed to build a bow for the incentive raffle!
I’m going to participate and here are my stats
RH
26” draw
45-55lbs
Let's make this a great trade!
Thank you.
Brendan
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I am in.
RH
26 to 28 inch draw length and 45 to 70 pounds.
Thanks for running the trade Kidder! I will send you a message wIth my information later today or this weekend.
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I'm in..........
RH
Draw Weight 40-60 pounds
Draw length 27 inches
Matt
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I'd like to, but I am not sure if I'm good enough yet, I'm certainly below average by this group's standards. My biggest concern is that I can't consistently make a great bow yet. HHB generally behaves well for me, but I don't have enough good staves right now, and it would take to long to season more.
What do you all think? You all are voting on my best bow so far, but you also saw my latest sub par ash stick.
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I feel your pain tradecraft, I'd like to but I know I'm not up to snuff yet. It's so enticing to enter but im gonna pass this year
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Took me forever to ship last trade due to COVID and work. However hopefully this time around I’ll be way faster. But I’m in if you’ll have me.
Rh 28” draw 40-70lbs
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I feel like me too should be part of this event this time (-S
So if anybody is willing to ship to europe:
RH, 45-51,35#, 27" draw
I do ship around the world
Cheers
Simon
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not this year. wasnt able to finish my trade last year because of things that got in the way. hopefully next year! Im excited to see what you guys make!
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Yahoo! Finally someone from this side of the pond! U ok shipping to the UK? I'm in. L/H, 24 inch draw, 30 to 40lb draw weight
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Here is a rolling list of who has posted that they are in and who I have received the necessary information in a PM to enter them in:
Kidder
flntknp17
mafort
simk
stuckinthemud
swampman
jakesnyder
stickhead
tradcraftsman
Pasteve
Fox
TimothyR
Santanasaur
Deerhunter21 (building a reserve bow only)
If you are expecting your name to be on the list and it's not, it's either because you haven't PM'd me your info or I've missed it, so be sure to follow up!
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You know what, I have been at this for 4 years and have bent somewhere between 50 and 100 sticks. If Warbirds Wing comes out fourth or better in SBOM I will definitely participate in this trade. If it later turns out I can't have a great bow in time, I will let you know to take my name from the list.
Making a bow for one of the experts here is a terrifying prospect, but if Deerhunter can do it, so can I :D
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I'm in!
LH
45-70lbs
24-26" draw
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I'd like to, but I am not sure if I'm good enough yet,
I feel that pain. I was going to join this year but I am in the middle of moving (twice in 6 months, the way things are going) and building a house this summer, so I am not comfortable with committing to producing anything for someone else. Next year someone is going to get a really kick ass lam bow, but I'm not there yet.
Mark
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You know what, I have been at this for 4 years and have bent somewhere between 50 and 100 sticks. If Warbirds Wing comes out fourth or better in SBOM I will definitely participate in this trade. If it later turns out I can't have a great bow in time, I will let you know to take my name from the list.
Making a bow for one of the experts here is a terrifying prospect, but if Deerhunter can do it, so can I :D
I've been building for a little longer than that but only made about 20. Joining a trade is terrifying but the builder I remember best and admire most from last year is Deerhunter. I doubt I'll ever build a BOM standard bow but a Trade really makes you raise your game and whatever I send will be the best I can do. As long as everyone joins with the attitude that the bow they receive is the best that builder can do, I reckon we'll be just fine. If the criteria is you must have a top 4 BOM then the trade would have about 3 entrants. The best trades are those with many builders of all standards. I was in a trade with 30 participants and was on bow number 4 and the bow I received was off another novice. It's a great bow and I treasure it. Is it world class? Maybe not, is it precious to me ? Totally.
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I'll probably join anyway :)
Like I said, If it doesn't look Like I can get a good one in time I will drop out.
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I'll probably join anyway :)
Like I said, If it doesn't look Like I can get a good one in time I will drop out.
If you join the trade, please commit to staying in. Dropping out in the middle or towards the end of the trade causes a headache for the person running the trade. Keep in mind that if you join, someone is building a bow for you and you are building a bow for someone. If you drop out, then things change for multiple people.
Now with that said, I think you should join. I would be very happy to get one of your bows in the mail!
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Of course I'll try my hardest to get it done, I'm just really nervous about it and I don't feel able to completely guarantee success. An artist is sometimes his worst critic.
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I'm in.
RH
45#-60# (Or a warbow, I can't build one myself yet :D)
26"-28"
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Oh, what the heck, I’m in.
RH
60-80#
24-26”
...Tom
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Of course I'll try my hardest to get it done, I'm just really nervous about it and I don't feel able to completely guarantee success. An artist is sometimes his worst critic.
The trade I participated in completely stressed me out lol. To add insult to injury, I had several failed attempt before completing the bow that I sent that I hope is still going strong. There is a pressure involved in wanting to send your person the best bow you’ve made. I’ve given away several bows, but there’s a difference making a bow that you’re really happy with and deciding to give it away, and trying to make a perfect bow to give someone. That said, it sure felt good to have done it lol.
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Thanks for the interest everyone - I just added a request to the sign up info. If you haven't already can you please include a link in your PM to me to a successful bow that you have posted on this forum so that I can ensure compliance with the rules? That will save me possibly hours scrolling through everyone's posts. Thanks.
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http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,69704.0.html
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,69551.0.html
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The way I see it,it should not drive you to accepting only perfection, there is no such thing. Everything I have ever done or made has elements I would change, and I do mean everything. Every bow, every crossbow, every carving, every time I rejig my worksbop, paint a wall, plant a garden, move the furniture. Never perfect, ALWAYS something to change next time.. if its the best you can do at that time and it hurts to ship it and you try really hard to avoid packing it, that's the standard you need to meet.
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Right, I should be able to manage that. :)
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I have a very exciting announcement to make! Arvin (selfbowman) has so very graciously offered to build a bow for the trade to be used as the incentive raffle where everyone who is ready to ship on time will be entered into the raffle! I’d like to say a heartfelt “thank you” to Arvin - it’s members like this that make this forum such a great place! Now, if you haven’t already signed up and are on the fence, and this doesn’t put you over the line, then I think you should check your pulse!
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Thank you so much Arvin, your bows are amazing!
P.s. I would probably have gotten it out by the deadline anyway (One of the first things you learn at the Umaine College of Engineering is that late work is simply not acceptable) but this is a wonderful extra incentive. :) :)
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I hope I'll be able to participate, one day! But for now... good luck to you all!
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Arvin, that is very nice of you! Thank you.
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Wow, that's fantastic!
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contemplating........
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I'm in. RH
25-26" Draw Length
40-50# Draw Weight
Very nice gesture Arvin and thanks to Kidder for organizing the trade. Really looking forward to this.
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Bump for visibility! Fox - the water is fine, come on in!
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Okay..... I'm in :)
RH, 45#- 60# 25"-27"
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My suggestion is to not stress yourself out! thats really what got me last year. i stressed over it way too much and it really brought me down. maybe just like the Newbie build along, we could do a beginner trade too? I dunno tho, just a thought! Have fun guys!! :BB
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we could do a beginner trade too?
Stick to the build along, that is practically a virtual bow building 101 class. It helps beginners get a lot of feed back and helps the experts remember where they once were :D
I feel that in order to have a trade everyone must have reasonable confidence that their bow will not fret at the very least. It took me years before I could pull that off, and even so I can easily mess up.
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Come on guys, only a week til sign up closes and I'm definitely feeling like the junior partner here. 7 months to build a bow or two, go on, you know you want to >:D
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One week before sign up closes. Is anyone planning on building a reserve bow? Thanks,
Brendan
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I'm in
Rh
28"
40-50#
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Have you got enough Euro participants to make it work out yet?
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Yes! First time in years there's a Euro pool :D
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How much does it usually cost to ship to euro from the states?
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One week before sign up closes. Is anyone planning on building a reserve bow? Thanks,
Brendan
I have a backup bow made already. Needs a leather handle is all
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One week before sign up closes. Is anyone planning on building a reserve bow? Thanks,
Brendan
I have a backup bow made already. Needs a leather handle is all
Excellent! Thanks! Also, Deerhunter21 will be building a backup bow for the trade but won’t otherwise be participating - so kudos to Russell and Mafort!
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I'll build a backup bow.
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I'll build a backup bow.
Great! Hopefully everyone pulls through on their primary bows. If that’s the case and we have reserves available maybe you guys can get in a second trade - I’m happy to facilitate if that becomes the case, but it’s up to you guys ultimately. Let’s hope that’s the case.
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How much does it usually cost to ship to euro from the states?
Depends, a 40 inch long parcel from UK to the US is about $30, a 65inch long parcel is about $70
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I'll build a backup bow.
Great! Hopefully everyone pulls through on their primary bows. If that’s the case and we have reserves available maybe you guys can get in a second trade - I’m happy to facilitate if that becomes the case, but it’s up to you guys ultimately. Let’s hope that’s the case.
If i get a decent backup bow done, i would love to do a second trade! it would be nice to go into a trade with a finished product, i wont need to stress over if i can get it done.
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Sounds good to me
I'll build a backup bow.
Great! Hopefully everyone pulls through on their primary bows. If that’s the case and we have reserves available maybe you guys can get in a second trade - I’m happy to facilitate if that becomes the case, but it’s up to you guys ultimately. Let’s hope that’s the case.
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Stuckinthemud....how long has it been since you've shipped something? My trade bow went from pa next door into Ohio and cheapest I could send it FedEx was over $40. If I wanted a tracking number it jumped to $70
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I got the price off a web site right before I wrote the post. It was via UPS, but, I used a cost comparison website. Had to try a few different sites. Most wouldn't quote on the longer package but one site gave 4 carriers with prices going from 70 to over 200 USD , you just gotta shop around. Last time I shipped a bow was 4 years ago, price back then was only 50 USD
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If shipping from the UK use UPS direct on their website. Don't bother with any of these other sites that offer different companies, they are generally a rip off and good luck if anything gets damaged....the insurance is a waste of time, don't pay the extra for it.
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I’m in. Not too picky about stats. 30-70# and 20-32” draw. More or less is fine too—whatever suits the stave and bowyer.
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Just a reminder that sign up closes at the end of the day tomorrow - if you’re on the fence you better sign up soon.
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Times running out. C'mon guys jump in. The more the merrier.
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Next year hopefully I'll feel confident enough
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So, all the names are in the pot, when do we get started?
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So, all the names are in the pot, when do we get started?
We get started after Kidder sends us the information about who we are building for.
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So, all the names are in the pot, when do we get started?
We get started after Kidder sends us the information about who we are building for.
Sign up is closed! I’ll be doing the drawing later today and PMs will be sent identifying each of your recipients. As in the past you won’t know who is building for you, only who you are building for.
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Not sure I can wait that long... ;D
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Exciting, isn't it?
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*excited*
Don’t have a bow to work in so I’ve been staring at my staves thinking about the trade!
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Ok, so here are the details of how the draw was done this year. We had two groups - the first group of four who indicated they would ship anywhere and the second group of 9 who were all within the US (lower 48) and would only ship within the US. Everyone was assigned a number and I had my 7 year old draw numbers from a hat as far as who each person was building for. Upon first glance it doesn’t look like anyone is building for the same person who is building for them, but I could be wrong.
Once you receive your recipient information it’s time to start the build. Starting with posting the stave/billets/board etc you will be starting with. Let’s have fun!
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Man, that makes me nervous already. Just had to check my staves, nothing worthy..... :( maybe have to check elsewhere ;D
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Well, noo pressure there then, I've never seen bow wood that good, hope my guy likes a bit of character.
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Are those Osage or yew boards in center left? I see some wood in that pile I would be happy to use.
I'll start out with a clean ash stave and shoot for a pyramid bow, or maybe an ELB. If that doesn't work I'll put together a simple lam bow. My plans may change if I can get a good HHB stave seasoned in time.
I'm building for simplicity, dependability, and elegance. Nothing fancy, but it should serve well for years.
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So everyone should have received a PM from me with their recipients information. Just to be certain I didn’t screw it up, please reply and let me know who you are building for. That’ll ease my mind a bit.
From here let’s get started. For ease of monitoring and ensuring everyone is making the appropriate progress please plan to post status reports with pictures for the following stages:
Initial stave/billets/board
Design
Roughed out
Some phase of tillering
Fully tillered
And finished.
For my build I’ve decided to do a bamboo backed ERC bow. Here is a very straight grained ERC board and bamboo backing I selected.
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I think I'm going to stick with osage for my trade bow. My thoughts are in line with tradcraftsman. Going for a dependable, proven design that should afford many years of enjoyable shooting for my recipient. I'm leaning towards the longer middle stave that has a nice character wiggle about 10 inches from one end. Hopefully, I'll get started chasing a ring sometime this week. Really looking forward to this build and seeing what others have in mind. Have fun guys and don't put too much pressure on yourself.
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I know I've asked this before, but isn't Boo a little strong for ERC?
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I know I've asked this before, but isn't Boo a little strong for ERC?
I’ve built one very nice shooting bow that has around 400 arrows through it without problem. I believe it really helps to have a slightly trapped back and really thin bamboo (knife edge). The ERC I have is super elastic and seems to compress really nicely without showing much set even. We will see though. Probably why I should have a backup plan.
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I'll start with a 67" pyramid bow 1 7/8" wide at the fades tapering to 5/16" knocks. 8" handle and fade section. This is almost an exact replica of one of my nicest shooters (the biggest difference is that this is ash, not elm)
The stave is very straight and clean, but it does have a fairly high crown. All of the interest in this bow will have to be the design, tiller, and craftsmanship.
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Well, I got it to the start of floor tiller, now comes the hard part ...
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I started on a HHB stave last week but I won't be able to get any more done on it until I take care of the pallet of concrete sitting in front of my tillerring tree. I need to put a fence up so I can get my shop cleared out.
I do have a black locust bow that I just finished up that I can send to my guy if things go bad for me but I don't plan on letting that happen. It is nice to have a backup plan though.
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I just ordered a coffee tree stave. Anyone have any experience with it.
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Here's the stave I'm planning to use. It's got different color streaks running all the way down the back. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I've seen just reddish streaks but nothing quite like this.
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Here's the stave I'm planning to use. It's got different color streaks running all the way down the back. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I've seen just reddish streaks but nothing quite like this.
I’m guessing that’s the outermost heartwood ring that transitions to sapwood, hence the lighter streaks. It’s probably fine for a back, but if you have enough wood to chase the next ring, I bet it will be solid yellow.
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Toying with the idea of a 2 part take down/ back pack bow, but never maade one beford, I have a blacksmith/fabricator nearby, can anyone supply drawings/ dimensions/ photos of take down sleeves ?
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Sure, pm me and I can email them to you.
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Fantastic. Thankyou, sending pm now.
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Might have to go a bit quiet for a week or two, have to have a chat with the blacksmith some time next week about 2 piece sleeves, also, timing belt on car snapped this pm, so won't get much shop time for a while (knew I was pushing my luck but getting a a new belt set fitted cost more than the car was worth...)
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Hi Ya
....well...
The decision for my just-in-case project was an easy one. I had this perfectly straight elm. Well seasoned, no knots, no heartwood. Ready to go without chasing a ring. With that gentle deflex its obvious that it wants to become some kind of d/r. This one will be a pleasure to work with.
Decision for the primary stave was not so easy. I wanted to do a bow from a yew branch. These are my fav pieces to work with. I was wanting to do some kind of 5-curve.
Therefore I went for a little walk last sunday to find a nice branch. I wasn't very successful and came home with a not so nice branch of yew but a piece of elm, one of black elder and one of dogwood.
I went for another walk today and found an interesting branch and a nice shoot...
At first I was very critical about the branch but the longer I have it the more I like it. it's a bit short...maybe60-62"...but has good reflex, some decent character, no knots and nice naturally flipped tips. Alone it will not make a 5-curve. I will maybe take a another walk; if I won't find the desired piece this one will be the one. let's see. I sealed the ends and will give it a few days in the sun to dry a little before I will rough it out and remove the bark.
cheers
it's yew boards, tradcraftsman :) no osage growing here around
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I got a little time last night & this morning to start on my trade bow. Last night I chased a ring then somewhat reduced the sides so I could get a better idea of what I was working with. The stave split a little awkward around the wiggle. I wasn't sure how much width I would have but managed to get the bow laid out without much issue. I like to use drafting circles when laying out the width taper on the limbs. Next up is to reduce the width to my lines then start on the belly reduction. All I own are hand tools so it takes me a little longer to get to the initial tiller stage but I enjoy the process. I keep telling myself one of these days I'll splurge for a band saw but for now my hatchet, Shinto & draw knife will suffice. That's all for now but hopefully I'll get more time this weekend.
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that's the two easter-eggs I found today (-S => see my post above, PaSteve was quicker :)
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Here's a picture of the limb with taper using drafting circles.
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Sorry about that simk. Guess we were both posting at the same time.
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np PaSteve ;) - I like the idea of using drafting circles - I will try that some time then...
working down a stave with hand tools imho is the best thing you can do - instead of ruining it with the band saw you get to know your stave and the grain very well during the process. It helps avoiding mistakes and finally makes a better bow, especially if there's some character in the wood!
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Got my profile cut out on the ERC. The grain is really really nice on this piece. It’s also floor tillered really well at this point. Left the tips extra wide. Unless I chicken out I intend to recurve the tips. Also got the boo rough profiled. But now it’s time for the worst part - thinning the bamboo. I think I’d almost rather take off seasoned Osage sapwood with a dull spoon than thin bamboo...but oh well!
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simk, I hear you about using hand tools. You definitely get a good look at every inch of the grain during the reduction process.
Kidder, that's going to be one pretty looking bow. Good luck with the boo.
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Kidder, that's going to be one pretty looking bow. Good luck with the boo.
+1
How long will it be?
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Thanks guys. I’ve got it at 66 inches tip to tip. Just over 1 and 3/8 inches wide straight to mid limb then straight to the tips which I’ve left at 5/8 inches for now. 4 inch handle and 2 inch fades. Gonna add a Che Chen power lam to stiffen the riser as well.
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super exciting guys!! these look awesome!
I'm trying to decide between staves. I have several dry hickory saplings... but I haven't made many sapling bows so am skeptical of using them... but a few weeks ago I cut the most beautiful staves I've had from an 8 ish inch diameter hickory, and am thinking about using one of those... they all took about 2" of reflex while drying the past few weeks. My worry about those is that they won't have dried for more than a few months. but ill probably ruff one out and put it next to the woodstove until its hot enough outside to put it in the solar kiln. :)
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Nice Bow it will be Kidder, I haven't used neither boo or ERC. ERC is really pretty, I wish we had some here around :)
Fox, you can use the staves. Once roughed out moisture content will go down quickly. Just put then the bow blank on a precise scale...when the weight is constant over a few days the wood is dry and ready to bend.
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Nice Bow it will be Kidder, I haven't used neither boo or ERC. ERC is really pretty, I wish we had some here around :)
Fox, you can use the staves. Once roughed out moisture content will go down quickly. Just put then the bow blank on a precise scale...when the weight is constant over a few days the wood is dry and ready to bend.
Yes, I'm thinking ill do this..... These are some pretty awesome staves I'm seeing, I hope I can make something that's up to par with you all!
( I've got a few really cool pieces of detail material up my sleeve though ;))
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Okay, I've picked a stave I think..... scraping winter cambium off, ugh no fun. Foolish me cutting in winter. This is a sweet stave though it took some reflex while drying.... :) :BB
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51095068897_1ae097e2fb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kR6zRK)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kR6zRK) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51095516238_9fae7bd394_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kR8SQw)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kR8SQw) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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Went for a walk in the woods, came back with some elder (sambucus nigra) 67 inches long, make a fabulous plan b
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/04/20210406_182521274940823627997532.jpg)
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You’ve got some big elder berry there ! All the stuff I have is not big enough for a bow ...
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That is a pretty crooked branch on the right, ???
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So old it doesn't have a hollow centre any more. I left a beautiful straight branch on the tree, dead straight 1.5 inches thick 70 inches long. I'm gonna let it grow a few years, one day it'll make an amazing pair of bows.
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It is not the straightest but it will straighten no problem, or else it will split and halve to yield 4 billets
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Well...I might be starting over again. I didn’t chicken out and attempted to recurve the tips. Used the same form as I used on a test run that went super smooth and this time it blew up. Not entirely - just split a very thick splinter. I clamped it flat so we will have to see - I may have enough thickness to proceed with a longbow, but that remains to be seen. If not I’ll have to start over with my belly lam, which isn’t the end of the world. It’s just frustrating that my test run baited me into it!
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Yep. I’m starting over on my belly wood. Good news is that I’m probably only out an hour. Great news is that I’ve got a piece that should be just as nice if not nicer as far as grain goes. This means my design is going to change a little. Gonna go without recurves and instead glue in about 3 inches of Perry reflex.
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Always good to have a backup plan, Kidder. My stave's been idle all week. Hopefully I'll get to reducing the belly real soon. Might chase a ring on my alternative stave if this one doesn't meet expectations.
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The last time I did the trade, my final bow was Plan D. Had a bad luck streak.
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I’ve got something a little overly fancy for my guy. Hopefully it doesn’t bite me in the butt but plan B and C are done. Plan A will take me right up till the shipping date.
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I’ve got something a little overly fancy for my guy. Hopefully it doesn’t bite me in the butt but plan B and C are done. Plan A will take me right up till the shipping date.
Hm, horn bow?
Yep. I’m starting over on my belly wood. Good news is that I’m probably only out an hour. Great news is that I’ve got a piece that should be just as nice if not nicer as far as grain goes. This means my design is going to change a little. Gonna go without recurves and instead glue in about 3 inches of Perry reflex.
That will make a great bow, pity about the first one though, clean ERC is rare.
I have either gotten sidetracked or been letting my stave aclimate more, depending on your veiwpoint :D. I may get to it this evening, but it is defiantly in the floor tiller stage. A little more and I will give it the first round of heat straitening.
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Maybe... maybe not lol. Maybe a yrzi style bow....
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I’ve got something a little overly fancy for my guy. Hopefully it doesn’t bite me in the butt but plan B and C are done. Plan A will take me right up till the shipping date.
If you don’t post pictures it didn’t really happen! That said we do need to see some progress photos from people!
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So I managed to get my new belly lam done up without too much drama. This piece is actually prettier than the first one. I glued on handle wood that is mostly sapwood except on the shelf side where the heartwood extends barely to the edge. I did this because I’m going to do an inlaid strike plate and the solid color should look better. Was also able to get my glue up done this afternoon. Putting in about 4 inches of Perry reflex. Hoping that once it’s taken off the form it keeps 2.5-3 inches which would mean if I do all as I hope to, it’ll maintain about 1 inch of reflex once it’s shot in.
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I’ve already got the stave roughed out lol
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Let's play guess what. 27 inch billets been nagging me for years, may well be plan A but what are they??? ;D
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/04/20210412_1859151926813260026168777.jpg)
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Kidder - always good to realize early enough that you have to restart ;) this one will be fast, enough reflex for sure :)
Stuck - must be somewhat dense wood with that small diameter :) my guess was something cornus sanguinea?
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welll... the next chapter of my b-project: my perfect piece of elm had some strange wood in it, some whitish and crumbly/crispy. dunno what it was, probably some kind fungal defect. Never occurred that before. So the perfect piece developped into a worried child - took down ring after ring and also narrowed it further and further to get rid of that stuff.
finally I ended up with a very narrow stave, its maybe 1 1/2" now. To keep the grip thick enough I let some additional rings on the back then. I actually wanted to make a pyramid-d/r. >>>>>>Now its only gonna be a d/r. I will have to make the profile a little more conservative than I had planned. Take away some bend from the inners, reduce reflex and do less aggressive recurves finally. As narrow it is, it also will be a test of what elm can do/take...
That's how it looks like now, roughed out. Just pulled 45# to see what it does, no tillering. Off course the lack of width-taper makes it too stiff towards the outers. At least it's hinging evenly for the moment. I now will tiller it to 28" and then bend in the recurves. The rings are so fat that I only have two of them in the limbs )F( :)
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...and well... as already announced I went for another hike to find the perfect piece for my A-project. After 2 hours came back with something. I now have two absolutley wicked yewie branches roughed out and clamped for drying. Either of them will be a pain to give away ;) one maybe is going to be a hollow limb, the other a 5-curve...
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Not cornus, but a small dense shrub is heading the right way
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I made a stop at a local sawmill recently and picked up some fantastic hickory that I will be using for my trade bow. The sawyer bemoaned the fact that had had one large hickory tree that was so straight and knot-free that none of his furniture building customers wanted it! I bought half the tree and may well go back for the rest because its the best hickory I have seen.....and I've built a lot of hickory bows! I got about 26 board feet of it. So straight that many of of the 36" billets I have cut thus far have any grain run-out on either the sides or the back/belly. A really nice tree for sure. I cut the billets for my trade bow and have W-spliced a set and rough cut the profile for a BBH longbow with some Perry reflex.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_2053_(1).jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_2095_(2).jpg)
I need to get back to finishing the bow.....but I have been distracted lately working on building a fiddle from scratch. I have the sides complete (on the bending form in the pic) and have about half the carving done on the fir top plate.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_2529.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_2657.jpg)
Matt
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I'm planning on a bamboo backed padauk and maybe a bamboo backed Ipe. I'll get picks up as soon as I can
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Pulled my bow off the form and unwrapped it. As expected it maintained 2.5 inches of reflex. The glue line appears “ok” - not perfect, but acceptable. In hindsight I would use a little more glue, but I’m not seeing anything that is likely going to be a problem so to speak.
Simk - the very idea of a yew 5 curve gives me heart palpitations!
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Here are some staves I’m considering for the trade bow. I’ll rough a few out and then decide on designs. I’ve also been tanning some snapping turtle leather and if it turns out well that might show up in the bow. I’m torn between a clean stave of tip top hickory or something more fun and characterful. Will decide after the rough outs
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Personally I would use the clean wood for less risk or a higher weight, but you certainly seem able to turn interesting wood into good bows.
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(=)I'm going on vacation for a few days so I won't be posting anything till next week. It's gotten cold here so a soon as it warms up I'll get a couple glued up.
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Nice to see everybody gettin' along so well :D
Mafort, we want pics ;D
While my yewies are loosing moisture I had time to correct string alignement on the deflexed elm and tiller it to 48# @ 28" => its time to recurve and heat treat now (=) a little over 1" of set so far seems ok - will anyway start from scratch after the heat treating...
cheers
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That looks so nice!
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Let's play guess what. 27 inch billets been nagging me for years, may well be plan A but what are they??? ;D
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/04/20210412_1859151926813260026168777.jpg)
Any more guesses? Something cryptic then, a northman in the uk might clean up with it >:D
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I’m not sure nature makes a prettier grained wood than what’s on my trade bow! Got it floor tillered and onto the long string!
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That is stunning
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Alright everyone - we're about a month in and just posting a progress summary in an attempt to keep the spurs on people!
Kidder - I'm on the long string tiller. No more drama since I blew up the recurves on my first belly lam. Rookie move!
Swampman - Posted his initial stave and design. Needs to get the concrete moved!
Flntknp17 - bought an entire tree of hickory boards but is gnawing on a fiddle currently!
Mafort - allegedly has his bow "roughed out" but like they say, "if you don't post pictures it didn't happen"
Simk -went easter egg hunting and now appears that he may be building a bow for everyone in the trade!
Stuckinthemud - dropping riddles on us about what type of wood his stave is!
jakesnyder - been pretty quiet but did post his initial stave.
Stickhead - claims his last trade bow was plan D...haven't seen plan A yet!
Tradcraftsman - posted his stave and design post. Looking good!
Pasteve - making lots of fancy circles on his stave! excited to see where it ends up!
Fox - scratching away on his bow's back!
TimothyR - Ordered a coffeetree stave but decided on building a bamboo backed ipe...but we haven't seen it!
Santanasaur - got lots of staves to chose from...must be thinking hard!
Deerhunter21 (reserve) - appears to have gotten lost in the woods - where are you?!?!?
We seem to be on track, but could also use some more progress pictures from a few. Keep up the great work!
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[/quote]
Any more guesses? Something cryptic then, a northman in the uk might clean up with it >:D
[/quote]
Ash?
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Gonna be working down a ring this weekend and start the layout.will post a picture this weekend! It's some pretty dence osage I got here!
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Nope, what are the peoples north of Hadrian's Wall called? And what would you sweep up with? A clean sweep needs a new .......
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Alright everyone - we're about a month in and just posting a progress summary in an attempt to keep the spurs on people!
Kidder - I'm on the long string tiller. No more drama since I blew up the recurves on my first belly lam. Rookie move!
Swampman - Posted his initial stave and design. Needs to get the concrete moved!
Flntknp17 - bought an entire tree of hickory boards but is gnawing on a fiddle currently!
Mafort - allegedly has his bow "roughed out" but like they say, "if you don't post pictures it didn't happen"
Simk -went easter egg hunting and now appears that he may be building a bow for everyone in the trade!
Stuckinthemud - dropping riddles on us about what type of wood his stave is!
jakesnyder - been pretty quiet but did post his initial stave.
Stickhead - claims his last trade bow was plan D...haven't seen plan A yet!
Tradcraftsman - posted his stave and design post. Looking good!
Pasteve - making lots of fancy circles on his stave! excited to see where it ends up!
Fox - scratching away on his bow's back!
TimothyR - Ordered a coffeetree stave but decided on building a bamboo backed ipe...but we haven't seen it!
Santanasaur - got lots of staves to chose from...must be thinking hard!
Deerhunter21 (reserve) - appears to have gotten lost in the woods - where are you?!?!?
We seem to be on track, but could also use some more progress pictures from a few. Keep up the great work!
Sorry I’ve been busy. Got fully Certified as an EMT finally. I’m gunna get to some pictures this afternoon.
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Scotch broom? what's it like?
Almost to the tree. I also have a handful of arrows to fletch, a deer hide to brain, pottery to glaze, and finals to take. :-\
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Deerhunter21 (reserve) - appears to have gotten lost in the woods - where are you?!?!?
Finals... im trying to stay mentally sane until then. :o :KN
I chased a ring on a stave though.
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Finals? Sleep lots, only a rested mind can function properly. Be multisensory, talk your learning, teach others . Make many many powerpoints and swap them with your peers.Take your notes for a walk, you will be able to visualise the learning points more easily if you can hang them on visual cues. Good luck
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Yes, scotch broom. Very impressed so far, seems very resilient, responds well to heat straightening. VERY knotty and all I've found have been short lengths, but if you don't mind scarfing then its all good
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I'm waiting for it to warm up a bit here. Il be building a laminated bow. I've got paduk and Ipe. My coffee bean isn't dry yet so it's off the table. I'll get some pictures posted soon. We've had a cold spell here so don't want to glue anything till it's warm enough.
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Here’s some of what I’ve been up to, four straight staves and four recurves. The four on the right are my abcd choices right now but I do have a few other staves I’m keeping an eye on for the trade bow.
Only the first four are trade bow candidates, the others are just interesting projects. Optimistically one of them may yield a heavy enough bow but probably not.
From right to left in the first picture.
1. Pignut hickory. Clean piece with reflex and fantastic latewood ratio. 65” and 1 1/4” wide. I think dimensions will be challenging for me in terms of making weight. I’d rather make lighter bow than a bow that takes a lot of set—but I’m optimistic because it’s really good hickory
2. Hornbeam. Green deflex stave with plenty of character. Will likely be shortening, flipping the tips and quick drying.
3. Shagbark hickory with a thin sapwood back. Chased down to a sapwood ring and with a heartwood belly.Still not sure about the design. Maybe an english longbow, maybe a flatbow. I think there may be a heavy bow in here.
4. Summer cut bitternut hickory. Great stave, just needs a little steam bending.
5. Wild rose, about 3/4” wide, hollowed out to remove the pith and recurved. I used the deflex side of the stave then recurved, so that the reflex would not be overwhelming and to make sure the good compression wood was on the belly. This stuff is incredibly flexible. I harvested a piece about 1” wide 70” long that turned out to be rotten, so I did a bend test on the green wood and was able to bend tip to tip then into a circle about the size of a baseball before it started cracking on the back. Small scrap pieces I’ve dried seem very snappy.
6. Viburnum lentago. Been finding some interesting pieces. Usually shrubby but sometimes in clusters you can get a nice stave. Creamy white sapwood with swirly caramel heartwood. Smells like stinky cheese and old wet socks. Seems very flexible
7. Dogwood static recurve. Been chipping away at this one slowly at the vise and floor tillering.So far this dogwood seems very tough.
8. Hickory short narrow static. I’ve gotten 40# from these dimensions but we’ll see what happens. Dried to 6% mc
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Santanasaur, you have a lot going on there. Looks like you've been busy. stuckinthemud, excellent advice you gave about finals. Hope to get an update on my progress this weekend. Definitely going to chase a ring on another osage stave for plan B.
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I got mine to low brace. String tracks dead center of the handle so I’m going to narrow the tips now. Got 1/16 inch negative tiller to work out. Pulled it to 20 inches and I’m seeing a small hinge mid limb on the top limb I need to work around. Overall it’s doing “ok”.
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I have my fence built so the cement blocking my tiller tree is gone. I still need to clean up my shop and then I will be getting to work on my project. I should be able to post some progress pictures soon.
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Okay ruffed out plan A bow a few weeks ago it's drying now... I am not sure I did the best job on the back so may back it with something to be sure (it will be something cool if I back it). While that's drying I'm working on another bow for myself or as a plane B bow :) The plane B bow is walnut I just straightened the limbs and gave it 2" of reflex (66" long 2 wide).... this walnut tree I've made two bows out of and it is amazing! I've used another walnut and it's broken in tension, but this tree is awesome! and so pretty, all of the wood is really dark, not quite heartwood dark, and has this white streaks threw it, I left the bark on the staves and it made the back a crazy color aswell, also walnut LOVES heat when you heat it on a caul it doesn't move like at all when you take the clamps off. it's really pretty few staves that I got from it ;D anyway, ill stop rambling :)
(walnut ruffed out)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51138431852_c590c66c61_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kUVQ9U)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kUVQ9U) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51139323073_d45a7eaa01_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kV1p5M)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kV1p5M) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51140208810_2fbabf8304_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5Wo7)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5Wo7) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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(Hickory hatcheted out)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51139324618_c029239bea_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kV1pxq)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kV1pxq) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51140207620_d8968d3795_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5W2A)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5W2A) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51140208395_7dfcd511bb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5WfX)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kV5WfX) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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Nice, I thought you don't do stiff handles?
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Nice to see guys making progress. My plan A is pretty much roughed out. Limbs are just starting to bend. I needed to correct some string alignment issues. As it was, the string was about 1 1/2 inches off center as good as I could judge at the moment. I steamed the handle area and clamped it so the string would line up better. Any more alignment corrections will be done on the limbs when I get to low brace. So far things are going pretty well so I will finish floor tillering and then begin tillering on the long string. Hopefully this week. I'll probably chase a ring on plan B once I get to heating in a little reflex on plan A. That's it for now. Second pic shows alignment correction after steaming and adjusting handle.
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Nice, I thought you don't do stiff handles?
:)
Not for myself usually... these I will probably make bend a little in the handle ;D
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I’m thinking of using one of these pairs of Crape Myrtle billets, and make a take down. I did this successfully once before as a self bow, but I might back it with something for insurance.
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very interesting projects running here (-S thanx for sharing.
me myself have steamed the yewie branch for the second time right now. I slightly misclamped it the first time. Also ist wants to warp in all dimensions again - will probably need the heat gun to finally stabilize it.
My elm d/r now is recurved and tillered to 20". I will heat treat it some now before finishing. Hope it works out. Its very slim so I think the wood is running on its physical limits...
cheers
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Ok boys don’t be late. The on time bow will probably come from the blank or The stave beside it. Going for continuous growth ring on back and belly on the bow blank.
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Side view of both.
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Worked some more on the bows today! it was in the 80s here so I set up the solar kiln and put the hickory in there. while that bow dries for the next few weeks ill work on the plan B bow..... so I may have gotten a little too excited during floor tillering as it is walnut and takes more wood to make a bow than hickory which is what I've been working lately :-\
I got the bow to 26" today and it still holds about 1/2" of reflex... it's 6-7 pounds underweight though :P
It shoots pretty well and I like the tiller but it's a tad slow cause I'm shooting 650-grain arrows out of a 38# bow... so I need to raise the draw weight. so I'm going to heat treat again and put it back on the caul so that will get me a few pounds, probably not 7 though right? so to get the last few pounds should I flip the tips? Pike? add reflex in the handle?
(this is pretty much an R/D)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142513217_fe573ddf98_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kVhKpg)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kVhKpg) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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FD (The last pic was at 20")
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142509457_540becb4a6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kVhJhr)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kVhJhr) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
Sanding handle and back...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143963634_015bdc6e65_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kVqbys)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kVqbys) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51144290520_b009bf91dd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kVrRJq)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kVrRJq) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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SOO many pics... but I was having fun ;D This may be plan A depending on which bow comes out better :)
Im going to do stuff with the tips aswell and add an arrow rest of somekind probably...
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Oh boy Arvin... I won't be for that... so excited your doing that!! :)
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C’mon people! What’s everyone doin? (lol)
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Nice bow Fox :) to get a little more performance from the bow I'd suggest to flip the tips. Gives you more early string tension due to reflex and improves energy storage also towards full draw due to better angles. Will also provide a smoother draw. The only "if" usually is the wood and if it can deal with the higher stress...
My backup bow now is shot in and in the fiddeling stage...will soon post a pic.
cheers
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Got my bow roughed out. Coming along good. I think it'll make a launcher for sure! Its 58" long and 1.75" wide at the fades. It will taper then pretty much to 1/2" nocks. I want to make sure it's good and dry so I'll be leaving it sit for a few weeks before I bend it at all.
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Is that the one that was posted a few days ago?
I have just got the bow on the tree. I need to take out a little deflex, but that should go ok. That is one of my best shooters next to it. I meant the antler knocks to have the original surface on them, but they got a little scraped up so I sanded they down a little, they'll still be nice though. It is 67" ttt, 66" ntn, and 23 oz. one limb is 1 3/4, the other is about an 18" narrower, that will be the top.
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Nice! Looks great you guys! I’d be so excited to get any of those bows ! I’m thinking your right simk I’ll Flip the the tips the bow is fairly overbuilt I think so it should be able to hold up :)
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+1 :) Didn't you say a few days ago that you only shot D bows Fox?
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+1 :) Didn't you say a few days ago that you only shot D bows Fox?
(lol) (lol)
Yes... well not necessarily D bows but definitely bend in the handle.... I’m trying to branch out :)
Also the heartwood in the walnut on this I just couldn’t chop off ;)
The hickory though..... that might end up being a bendy handle.... I’ll see how it goes ;)
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I know I'm late. Damn rookies!! But I'd like to follow along anyhow!
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I got it to a low brace today, I'll heat temper it tomorrow. This is a very straight piece of wood, but it's not a board, so it has a few quirks for tillering.
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Looks like you guys are making really good progress on your bows. Fox, I totally agree about being excited to receive any of the bows being made.
I decided to add some reflex with my heat gun & a caul that has worked out well for me in the past. The bow is still well above anticipated draw weight but I wanted to get some reflex before I start stressing the limbs. I also added some tip overlays while the bow is reacclimating after the minor heat treat. I used yellow heart for the tip overlays with a specific purpose in mind. That's about all for now.
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So I’m tillered. I feel like it’s “ok”. I’m right at the bottom of my weight range though so not much I can do to the tiller and stay within the target range. It’s maintained 3/4 inch of reflex so that is good. Got the handle and fades shaped as well. Haven’t shot it yet, but that’s for another day. Welcome any comments.
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Well I like it
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So, the inner upper limb had a hinge, that developed faint chrysals over a few inches, but I adjusted the tiller and they are not growing. I will keep an eye on it. It is drawing 40@20", I am shooting for 50@27.
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Well I’ve got the horn glued and bound as of yesterday.... let’s hope my four days of applying glue to the pieces helps them stick. My backup is a reflex deflex hickory backed hickory with a Ipe powerlam. Gunna cover it in snake skins and maybe some decorative carving. For some reason a lot of the pictures I want to post are too big so I’ll have to use links to them. Will update tonight
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So...
It is drawing #46 24.5" from the back of the handle and #50@26". It has about 1.5" set from the back of the handle. It is shooting nice and straight, and the tiller looks balanced, but one limb has faint chrysaling in some places. It is nothing that would break the bow, just cosmetic, so if it doesn't take on much more set I will use it as my back up bow, does this sound good?
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Just to be clear...
Very few of my bows have ever broken, and they all had serious issues, and I will give this hundreds of shots before I send it off, but I am assuming that the end user accepts responsibility for spotting issues before anything breaks. I can't control it's moisture content, its maintnats, its use, etc. after it leaves my hands. Of course I can replace or repair a compromised bow, but the user is responsible for making sure it dosn't blow and hurt someone. This is of course the same responsibility I take when I receive my bow. Fair?
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if it breaks i believe thats when me or one of the other reserve guys will send in one of our bows.
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It is our responsibility to send out a quality bow in good condition it is the user's responsibility to look after it. What you said seems very fair to me. If you think of PA aa an archery club, and we are a group of clubmates swapping stories and trying out each other's kit, then you can't go wrong really. If you gave that bow to a clubmate how would you feel when you looked in their eyes? The only difference is we are seperated by a few miles
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Right, that is why I will test it rigorously. :)
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Here it is, 46lb @ 27.5" from the back of the handle. I lost a few pounds balancing the tiller, but I will give it a final cooking to remove some string follow and increase weight. It is shooting very nicely. There is chysaling spread over most of the belly (sort of like BL I think), but it should not affect performance noticeably. I will start plan B and send whichever turns out best.
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Okay well, guys..... my plan B bow has gotten far more complicated then it was originally going to be ;D
so I flipped the tips and put it back on the caul and heat treated it again. it was way more reflexed than I thought the belly could handle so I decided to align the string better in the handle and add some deflex. so now it's an R/D... shoots so so great... somehow I'm more accurate with it than I am with my glass bow :)
Now the problems.... the tips reflex isn't even which really annoys me.... one is a kink more like a recurved and the other is a slow swoop all the way to the tip .... so that looks weird when braced :-\. the other problem is it's still about 5-6# underweight.... might just be a bow for myself... not sure I'm going to be able to get it up to the weight I need.... any suggestions? I could try piking it? add more reflex? take out the deflex in the handle?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51167287687_b1e4f0490b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXtHZi)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kXtHZi) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51168740694_3bc590decf_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXBaV9)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kXBaV9) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51167288802_ad2030f260_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXtJjw)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kXtJjw) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51168192708_1454117539_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXyn27)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kXyn27) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
20 inches
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51167289287_3b906f93af_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXtJsT)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kXtJsT) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169058495_cdafbab285_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kXCNot)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kXCNot) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
any advice on the low weight would be much appreciated!
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If it's over the entire belly then it sounds like it will fail for sure sooner than later. I certainly wouldn't want to give that bow to someone
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Fox, for my two pennies, I wouldn't worry about the weight, a sweet bow is more important to me. On the same basis I would tell you not to match the bend in the limbs butt I know I wouldn't be able to avoid trying to match them up
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Fox, for my two pennies, I wouldn't worry about the weight, a sweet bow is more important to me. On the same basis I would tell you not to match the bend in the limbs butt I know I wouldn't be able to avoid trying to match them up
Well the weight the person I was making for wanted 45-55.... I might try piking it but I don’t want the belly to give out.... I don’t know .... yeah tradecraft.... those chryels are more than I would even take hunting because I’d be worried about reliability.... sorry to see that ...
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There is no way it will blow, I'm more concerned about it degrading prematurely. I've shot one worse than that for a long time with no issues except set, but it is a great shooter, so maybe I'll just take it out myself. :-\ I have some HHB I just cut the other day, It would make a great bow by October, and I also have WWIII sister stave, but I am very attached to that. :-\ We'll see, maybe Lumberman has something ...
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It is supposed to hurt to give it away ;) >:D
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I know.
I did the very best I could with the stave. It's a dam good shooter and has the best lines and most balanced tiller I have done in a long time. It just wasn't balanced well early on and I couldn't work out the chrysals.
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Hey Fox, that is looking really good - I like that r/d-profile and tiller :OK you are talking about piking the bow...how long is it actually? If you pike you will also have to redo these reflexed ends again probably...
Me myself have finished and shot in the backup project. Just needs an own string, some finishing touches and decoration. Its not that absolute screamer performacewise but will keep my back free for the more complicated project now.
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looks sweet simk!
the bow is 66" long at the moment... Would an inch off each end get me up 5#?
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That's a beauty Simk, Fox, I would hope that would be what you would end up with after you've retillered but its far from guaranteed.
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you should try it. 66" still seems long enough. see what you get...cutting of the reflexed ends also will decrease overall reflex. but I'd consider that effect to be less strong than the shortening. you will not have to retiller a lot also. good luck
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If it shoots that well leave it alone as plan B and try another, Walnut likes to chrysal.
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On the caul and getting the kinks out on the show up bow.
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oh, man Arvin that looks real nice!
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So I found a 76" HHB roughed out D bow in my stash, 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" wide. I cut it down to 66" and am working it down to floor tiller. It is very stiff, some deflex needs to come out. Photos to come.
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After second heat session.
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Pretty straight.
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I really need to make a full-length caul :P
I'm so bad at making them though there never a smooth amount of reflex it always ends up being just one kink somewhere which I don't like the way that looks, I want a nice long swoop... I did finally get that on my trade bow though which I'm very happy about :)
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Hopefully the last heat session. 47@28
Maybe a bit of tiller adjustment.
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Getting close.
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Going to be a nice one.
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Arvin, that is going to be amazing!
As an aside, I know it’s supposed to hurt a little to give away one’s bow, but what if it is going to hurt too much? At what point can we keep our trade bow and send a lesser bow? I’m only kidding! Kinda....
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You get to about 300 bows it comes easier. I haven’t flight tested it yet I though. That could get difficult. But I’m pretty sure it’s just a good shooter. Arvin
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On time bow complete except for string. Ok guys get busy. Arvin
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Nice, what does 289521 mean?
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Number 289 521 is the date.
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Kidder put your name in the hat for sure. Thank you for organizing. You need to send me your address and I’ll get it in the mail to you. Then you get to at least shoot it. Arvin
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I see, I lost track of the number of bows I've built some time ago. I was never sure how many shots it needed through it to count it.
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Just getting caught up here. Appears some have completed or almost completed bows. Good job to those that are in that position. I have to say Arvin that bow looks beautiful. Some lucky person's going to enjoy that bow.
As for myself, trade bow plan A isn't going to make the cut. Unfortunately the wiggle got me and the bow wasn't going to make weight so I abandoned it for another osage stave with great rings and manageable twist. I chased a ring, and laid the bow out. Now it's a matter of taking away everything that isn't a bow. This is a nice osage stave that should produce a good bow if I do my part. The pic is plan B. My plan A bow got shortened to remove the dreaded wiggle and hopefully I'll get about 30#@24". That would be just about right for my girlfriend. Anyway, going to try and make some yeller shavings this weekend.
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67" Arvin? That's a short one compared to the usual 69"... :) :OK
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Well that bow has about 4 shots thru it. Thats all my shoulder will put up with. Feels like a ice pick in my shoulder when I shoot one. Arvin
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Well I am pleased to say I finished my trade bow! I posted it in a separate post so here is the link. I learned a TON from this build - learned exactly what looking for set and judging tiller by it is about. I just hope my recipient likes it and gets many years of enjoyment from it.
https://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,70120.0.html
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thats a beautyful bow Kidder! tiller looks spot on and very efficient to me. looks like you will have to make a replica of it to keep.
thanks Arvin for being so generous - great bow. I certainly wouldn't mind being the chosen one finally :)
Me myself have at least steamed twice and heat-bent three or four times the yew branch. Now it seems to line up for pretillering before inducing the recurves. Looks like it's still gonna be some kind of multi-curve instead of a 5-curve.
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That center cut hetting more like a HH all the time!
Shawn~
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https://imgur.com/gallery/jpQoPHM (https://imgur.com/gallery/jpQoPHM)
Basic reduction of the core. Not completely done reducing it yet but it’s close. I’ll do the front profile tomorrow. I’m aiming for a yrzi style platform.
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I just took my finals..... it feels so good.... im going to get working on a bow ASAP. I do have one that is already made that i will put in as a reserve (still putting final touches on it, and its not perfect). I will put the best bow i make in the reserve pile if a reserve bow is needed
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This is the bow I’m going to put up UNTIL I make the next one. Just so there’ll 100% be a bow in the reserves.
It’s 47# @26”
Shooting a bjrogg inspired rivercane arrow ;D
I would really love any tillering advise! It hasn’t taken too much set I think.... but I can’t completely remember what it looked like in the beginning.
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Well I might be building another. The fret goblins came for me. After I shot in, finished, and photographed my baby. Unreal...
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That's to bad, it should serve as an Ok target bow for a while, and then you can recycle the Boo.
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Ok guys. Sorry I've been inactive lately. I've got a few prospects I'm working on today. One will be a hickory backed Ipe about 57" long and an Osage stave stave and a hhb stave. I'll get some pics up later.
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Ok, so, getting workshop time is tricky at the moment but, before I commit to plan A, I need to do some prototyping as I have no idea what scotch broom will deal with or the dimensions needed for the draw weight required. I've straightened the limbs for twist and sideways bend and roughed in the splices. Tips line up but both limbs have heavy recurve, I hope to clean up the splices and glue-up next week.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/20210516_1450358228218089600655328.jpg)
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Scotch broom?
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Yes, Scotch Broom, apparently, according to the list of bow woods, it can make an "evil little bow". It is very dense and very springy, so looking forward to seeing what it can do.
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Yes, Scotch Broom, apparently, according to the list of bow woods, it can make an "evil little bow". It is very dense and very springy, so looking forward to seeing what it can do.
Cool! excited to see what you come up with
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This darn piece of walnut is making me go in circles! I can't for the life of me get this bow up 5#.... it is shooting faster and faster but no weight gain! (lol) :fp
holding almost 2" of reflex after a shooting session! I've reflexed the tips, heated in reflex over the whole limb still just 40#!!!
now I'm taking out the deflex in the handle and going to add a little reflex... if that won't do it ill fire harden it and then that's about all I've got for ideas... I don't want to pike it because if I do ill lose a good bit of reflex, and I can't recurve the tips again because the last time I did it with a little heat I got some little cracks not a problem as is but definitely cant recurve them again.... we'll see how it is tomorrow after adding reflex in the handle....
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51187096354_f15b4f26b7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kZefq3)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kZefq3) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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Fox, if it hold's that reflex it's awesome. I cannot logigally explain but it's my expierience that heat treating and reflexing a bow does less to raise the final draw weight than to raise early string tension*. In fact it makes the bow faster and more efficient...exactly what you are experiencing now. Not sure if it's a good idea to further follow this route tough; you are walking a ridge that get's narrower and narrower. Finding the limits is always fatal in this case. As stated earlier piking probably would raise drawweight because its effects overruling the effect of loosing a tiny bit of reflex. Still not sure if t's a good idea because it will cause more stress to a bow which maybe is close to its limits already - with every step of bow tuning you risk failure. Maybe better be pleased and enjoy this one and start another for the bow trade. still plenty of time. justmy2c :)
*(maybe early string tension is more determined by reflex, whereas final draw weight is more determined by length and limb-tickness? Thoughts?)
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+1 It sounds like you're building a roman candle of a bow. if the draw weight is not increasing something must be giving. why don't you shoot it in for a while and see what happens.
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So I have two HHB staves that should work. One is 66" and deflexed, the other is 54" and slightly reflexed. The 54" is shorter than any other serious bow I have built, but I am shooting for 50# @ 26". I'll give it antler english knocks to maximize the length.
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I glued up 3 bows today. One is a R/D hickory backed Ipe that's 57"x 1 1/8" wide at the fades. Don't know how that one will turn out. One is a bamboo backed paduak with perry reflex gluing in the other is a maple backed makore also with perry reflex gluing in. I'll keep y'all posted. I'm going to let the stay on the clamps till I'm off Wednesday them work them down to dimensions.
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I got a good bend in the 54" HHB and heat tempered in 2" of reflex. I am thinking of adding a sinew backing to, but that would be a first. I just glued on english knocks out of antler, I hope they won't mess up stringing. I am shooting for 25" draw, and am a little concerned about stacking, what do you all say? I would try recurves except that there is a knot 3" from one tip.
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Here are photos. It is 1.5" wide in the center two feet. It has 2" reflex. Should I put down a thin sinew layer? I'll be moving in 3 weeks, and humidity will only climb through September. Heat tempered HHB seems to do fine with humidity, but still ...
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I just realized that this bow is actually a decent plains replica, I had just thought of it as a made up short D-bow, but I am glad that this has been done before. :fp
So I added sinew to the crown of the bow today while pulling 4" reflex. The consensus seems to be that slow cured hide glue adds the most performance, but I hope that the TB3 will make up in some way with better moisture resistance. It should defiantly protect the back. I wish I had the time to use hide glue, but if this holds reflex I will consider it a successful substitute.
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I’ve heard of watering down tb3 to use it with sinew but I have yet to actually try it
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Yea, I did water it down, it would have been crazy messy trying to use full thickness.
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Well I got off to a slow start due to some drama in my life, but I’m moving right along now. My plan A was going to be a take-down Crepe Myrtle, but I didn’t like the looks of the limbs after I got them roughed out. So in keeping with the style, I dug up one of my best 20+ year old short Osage staves. I cut it into billets and fitted sleeves onto them. This sleeve set has 2 copper inserts, so I think I’ll make it as a 3-piece take-down. That way, it could be 2” shorter to transport. My recipient could always epoxy one limb to the sleeve if he chooses. She’s 63” NTN.
So at this point, I’ve straightened the limbs some, flipped the tips slightly, and got all the pieces fitted and lined up pretty well. Tillering is well underway, and I added some elk antler tip overlays once I got it off the long string. Tiller is not great yet, but I still have 10+ lbs to lose.
(https://i.imgur.com/wpd3AzR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EZq4PiA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uuw3bwU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/X9blwSV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yYFj3cs.jpg)
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Looks very nice. :)
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That's awesome... I feel like im not going to be able to make a bow up to par with some of you guys! I don't have much more interesting wood... so hickory is all ive got... Im going to make the best bow ive ever made though! (hopefully) :)
ive always wanted to makw a takedown, seemed like sorta a pain though
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Shipping a takedown makes up for part of it though. :)
I hope my recipient likes the plains style, it is very maneuverable and convenient to carry, but I personally like the long draw of 60"+ longbows.
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Keep at it and one day your bows will be the envy of others, and then this bow would be like your rookie card : )
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Looking good stickhead!
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Glue up number 2 in progress. Going with a tried and true combo but one I’ve never done - boo backed Osage. Gluing in 3 inches of Perry reflex. I’m 1 3/8 inches wide to mid limb then taper to the tips. Also trying EA40 for the first time. Fingers crossed.
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Horns finally done curing out after a few weeks in a controlled environment. Now it’s time to sinew back on Monday. Till then shredding elk leg and back tendons
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Working on an African padauk alb. 68" t2t.
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That’s awesome. Little update on mine I’ve got the first layer of sinew down. Only 3 more to go and then I get to tiller and decorate.
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my dad just got out of surgery.... im going to be on hiatus for a little i think....
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Finally able to get caught up a little on my trade bow. Since plan A didn't work out as planned I moved on to another osage stave, plan B. I got it to brace and at my target draw weight at 23". I have another 5 inches to my 28" goal. Tiller still needs some work but I'm pretty satisfied with the results so far.
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I read through last year's trade thread, and I realized that no one here has mentioned what draw method they use. I shoot one over two under, with or without a shelf.
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Good catch tradcraftsman. Definitely slipped by me too. I guess I always assume someone shoots split finger unless otherwise specified. I shoot split, one over two under myself. Might be a good idea for participants to notify Kidder of their shooting style if other than split so Kidder could notify the builder. Just a thought.
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That would make sense. I'm not sure how to build for a three under though. :-\
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I shoot 3 under :)
I used to shoot split, now I just tiller my bottom limb ever so slightly stiffer..... seems to work fine for me ???
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Pinch grip like a real Indian ;D )P(
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I've been shooting 3 under. Loving it
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Bad news from my side :-[
Due to dumb social media mistakes my recipient knows who's building for him.
To at least keep up the surprise about the bow I decided to start over and build something completly different...
...this time went for a piece of wood as perfect as can be and made chips again...
...sorry for only posting blurry pics from now on ;)
cheers
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But can't your recipient see everything you post here?
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But can't your recipient see everything you post here?
He can. That's why my pics from now will be unclear enough to keep up the surprise ;)
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Guys, I think it’s time for an update from everyone. Some of us (myself included) need to get going! As for me, once I fretted my #1 I flailed around for a bit, but I think I’m back on track. I’m not giving up on a boo ERC bow, as I have 2 so far that are great shooters and didn’t fret. So I’ve glued up and floor tillered another one. I’ve made it a little wider, more trapped back, and really going to round the belly edges better. I’ve also got a glued and low braced boo backed Osage as my number 4 or 5 (I made it a little too wide and it’s going to likely be overweight). I’ve got a roughed out narrower Osage boo that hasn’t been glued up and I believe will fall in line as number 3, and finally I’ve got a black locust bow that is 90% tillered that I intend to back with sturgeon skins. It’s turning out “ok” - got a really nice side profile but I narrowed one limb a little too much due to not paying attention to a knot on the edge so I’m less than thrilled about the width profile. Either way I’m going to be plenty proud of it, just not sure it’ll be as nice as the others. What’s everyone else up to?
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I am in the middle of a move, I'll let you know when I get back to work. Good news is that I will probably have access to a shop through October after all.
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I'm still deciding what I'm going to do.... I just about finished up my first bow, the walnut one... but I'm not going to put tip overlays or handle wrap on it until I make a few more bows and decide which is the best.... I've got some difficult things for me to get to put on as overlays and handle wrap and only have enough for one bow so want to make sure I put it on the best shooter. for the ruffed out hickory I'm worried about humidity, we have no air conditioning and not much of a good place to keep bows dry, sooo summer bow building is a challenge, I do have a room with a dehumidifier in it but my summer hickory bows I still struggle to keep dry.... going to try fire hardening the crap outa one of the hickory bows, see how that goes :)
there all-around 9-10% .... much too wet...
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Bamboo backed padauk. have to get it down to weight, shoot it in and dress it up.
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Bamboo backed padauk. have to get it down to weight, shoot it in and dress it up.
That looks really good.
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That does look good.
Got my bow tillered. Shaped the grip today and started shooting it in a little. Going to shoot it all week and hopefully there will be no surprises.
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A guy on UK workshop was/ is sending me some aerolite glue to test, but that was 2 weeks ago. Looks like the post office lost it. Am going to order some anyway, hope to post an update soon.
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The guy on UK Workshop (many, many, thanks) sent me a second batch. At first look it
(Semforite) seems like cascamite but better, certainly much easier to mix and easier to clean up. My prototype is glued up, will leave it cure up and hopefully get it on the tiller tree over the weekend.
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I ruined the tiller on my plan B Osage take-down, so I'm reconsidering my plan A bow - a Crepe Myrtle take-down. I originally dismissed it because I didn't think I had enough wood, but actually, now that I have both limbs fitted into the sleeve, I'm gaining confidence. I'm traveling now, but I'll post pics when I get back home.
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So, I pretty much got plan B tillered. I've put about 75 arrows through it and tiller hasn't moved. I'll shoot it in some more and if everything looks good I'll proceed with finishing it. Right now, I'm about 2 pounds over target weight. Won't be for a few weeks.
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That’s looking great pasteve!
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Great looking bow Steve.
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I started lay out on two black locust staves. These are staves I cut in 2016 and I managed to get them dried with the sap wood intact. These are really dense staves and I plan to build a sap wood backed BL bow. I have made two other bows from this tree with the sap wood and they turned out great and really have a nice look with the contrast between the sap wood and heart wood. One stave is 63 inches and there is 67 inches. Hopefully both will work. I will post some progress pictures soon.
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My trade bow is coming along. Still want to wait a little bit longer to start tillering to make sure its dry enough. I think I'm going to rawhide back the bow. I am trying to figure a way to incorporate this snapping turtle tail into the bow somehow. ;)
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Here's a couple pics
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Got 2 bows tillered out and ready for finish and shot in. One is bamboo backed padauk and the other is bamboo backed eastern red cedar with an oak core. Padauk is 68" and the erc is 60"
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Brendan was he show up bow is headed your way. Check your messages. Arvin
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Brendan was he show up bow is headed your way. Check your messages. Arvin
Thanks Arvin - so far nobody is in...but nobody is out either!
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Wel the yrzi composite bow is built. However it need some serious tillering. It’s about 100lbs too heavy of course that’s my fault cause I left the horn about 3/8” thick. I didn’t expect the horn to provide this much resistance.
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Debating on birch bark or snake skin covering afterwards…. Or maybe some dyed rawhide…. Let me know what you guys think.
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Plodding along on my prototype, this Scotch Broom is pretty amazing, there are 18 large knots but its drawing to 12 inches with no set. Lots of work left to do. Need to get the middles and outers moving properly and some twist removing. I've gone slowly because the bend is all in the fades where cleaving left a weak spot and I've been working hard at avoiding set there. The limbs will need heat bending to balance them too, tips piking an inch and shaping, nocks to cut.... (https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/20210625_1854332633766895249552847.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/20210625_1827535895306513801201531.jpg)
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I got the rough out done on 1 of the black locust staves today. If all goes well this stave will end up with about a 60 pound draw weight and show both the sap wood and heart wood throughout the bow.
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That should be a beautiful bow
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Guys - the show up bow arrived from Arvin today...and I will say that it is certainly the nicest self bow I’ve ever put my hands on! Perfect lines, narrow tips, the grip is perfection! If this isn’t inspiration to get working on your own masterpiece, nothing will be! Not my place to even string it, yet alone shoot it, but it is mighty tempting! Many thanks Arvin, and I can’t wait to hold this drawing! I’ll probably video it and send a link of the drawing so that when I win it no one can cry foul! 😉
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(A) (A) (A)
High time I got back to work. I messed up the tiller on the sinew bow and don't have enough weight to fix it, so I dug out this cherry board and will try an ALB.
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Oh, baby, that's a fine bow Arvin made! so for the chance at that bow, you just have to be ready to ship by the deadline? which is like Oct 20 or something?
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Oh, baby, that's a fine bow Arvin made! so for the chance at that bow, you just have to be ready to ship by the deadline? which is like Oct 20 or something?
You have to have “shipped” by October 20. Someone is going to get a dandy just for showing up.
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i think we also want to wait till a couple weeks before the deadline to make sure you send the bow to someone who actually finished their bow.
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everyone is looking really good! ;D
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My phone is down and I won't be able to post anything till I can find a cheap one. I'm almost done with my trade bow. I'll get it shipped out a soon as I get it finished and shot in.
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Here are some pics of my Plan B bow: a Crepe Myrtle take-down. Ring has been chased, limbs roughed out and sleeve inserts fitted.
(https://i.imgur.com/31JP2Js.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/H0RWZOf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7vsSTtO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HOklYJY.jpg)
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So, I decided to fume my trade bow. I'm pretty happy with the results. The bow is Osage & the glued up handle is yellow heart. The tannins in the yellow heart react nicely and give a brilliant yellow color. I like to wait about a week after fuming to brace the bow. If tiller wasn't affected by the fume I'll shoot it some more, make any corrections and then on to the finishing process. May take a little longer than usual dealing with high humidity.
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Hey guys. Time to see a progress report - I’d like to hear from everyone and see a picture of where everyone is since we are about 3.5 months out from our shipping deadline. As for me...I’m just wrapping up the finishing touches on my 2.0 bow - no frets and looking pretty good. I’ll wrap it up in the next week or two and post some pictures then.
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Just finished my test piece, have started roughing out bow number 2
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I've got two bows tillered and shooting them in now, then I'll pick one for the trade based on the results of shooting them for a while. One is osage backed with bamboo, and the other is hickory backed with bamboo. I know the hickory one is absolutely bomb-proof based on a couple other BBH bows made from the same hickory tree. The BBO is made on a piece of osage from a new source that I haven't used before, so I want to shoot it for a while to see how it works out.
Matt
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Starting to look like a bow. Low braced tillering now with about 15# to go.
(https://i.imgur.com/lIMkKbS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pQMGiPm.jpg)
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I got mine rawhide backed
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I have the cherry board bow roughed out and awaiting rawhide. This stuff is a pleasure to work and seems pretty light. Tip overlays are black walnut.
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Same place as before :-\
had some annyoing things goin on in my life at the moment. Ill have plenty of time to finish them up a bow or two in a month or so.
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Great work guys! Just a reminder that as we approach the deadline please notify me when you are ready to ship but hold off until I give you the green light - no bows will be shipped to someone not making satisfactory progress. Thanks and keep at it!
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Since this started I made a few. One is completly finished, the rest of them is ready tillered and shot in but need some finishing touches. I will now decide which one will be my trade bow and do the finishing works.
Cheers
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Simk, you've been a busy man. They look great. Hope to finish my bow in a few days. It's been very humid here. Not the best weather for applying a finish. Last coat was put on 6 days ago and appears to be dry enough to completely finish. Hopefully by next week it'll be ready to ship.
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Since this started I made a few. One is completly finished, the rest of them is ready tillered and shot in but need some finishing touches. I will now decide which one will be my trade bow and do the finishing works.
Cheers
Sir you have been busy and those are some beauties! Arvin
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My trade bow is pretty much completed. Here's a little sneak peak. The fume job came out really nice imo. It's hard to capture the colors and contrast in a photo especially on my cellphone camera. Hope my recipient will be happy with his bow.
This was my first time committing to the bow trade. Admittedly, building a bow for a bowyer was a little more nerve racking than building a bow for myself, a friend or relative. Hope to see some more finished bows soon.
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Nice! is this the one with rawhide?
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I got a hickory longbow done. The yrzi needs another layer of sinew and then it’s birchbark covering. I’ll be ready to ship. Will upload pictures as soon as possible.
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I finally got enough rawhide to back the cherry bow, thank you PaSteve!
Anyway, I lost no time gluing it on and I plan to start tillering shortly, it should be pretty straight forward as this is a board bow and I'm going for a circular tiller.
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Trad, so the rawhide got there...cool, your welcome. Hope it works out for you... To answer your previous question...my bow isn't backed.. just a fumed Osage selfbow.
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Tiller check please. Upper limb is to the right. The tips where flipped ever so slightly.
Front profile is 2" tapering to 1/2" with a slight radius as seen in the previous photo.
Eric's tillering gizmo worked wonders; this was the fastest tillering job I have ever done. It is pulling about 50# @ 27". I know tempering cherry isn't encouraged, but it helped so much this time; I gained 10 that way#.
Now I need to test it and clean up the looks, I kind of rushed the handle and need to be creative to make it presentable.
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I'm still deciding what I'm going to do.... I just about finished up my first bow, the walnut one... but I'm not going to put tip overlays or handle wrap on it until I make a few more bows and decide which is the best.... I've got some difficult things for me to get to put on as overlays and handle wrap and only have enough for one bow so want to make sure I put it on the best shooter. for the ruffed out hickory I'm worried about humidity, we have no air conditioning and not much of a good place to keep bows dry, sooo summer bow building is a challenge, I do have a room with a dehumidifier in it but my summer hickory bows I still struggle to keep dry.... going to try fire hardening the crap outa one of the hickory bows, see how that goes :)
there all-around 9-10% .... much too wet...
I just saw this. Defiantly an issue here too, that is why I figured rawhide backed cherry would be a great combination. I've read that cherry is better than most in humid climates (though that didn't stop it from taking a lot of set) and when dry winter rolls around the rawhide will keep it safe. I expect the bow to gain at least 5# when that happens.
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I got my bow to brace height and put some shots through. It. Shoots really well. Still holds about 1" reflex when unstrung.
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Dang... looks like I best stop messing around with pelts and get back in the woodshop! I don't know what to do about my humidity problem... maybe I'm going to have to build a proper hot box..
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Great work guys! We’ve got some real nice bows coming along! I am please to say that I’m finished! I know I said that before and then noticed a problem that had me starting over, but this time I’m done. Heres the posting of it!
https://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,70420.0.html
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Dang... looks like I best stop messing around with pelts and get back in the woodshop! I don't know what to do about my humidity problem... maybe I'm going to have to build a proper hot box..
What about your solar kiln, how well does it work? how do you build one?
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So I just have a question, at this moment, does it look like the reserve bows are going to be needed? If not are we still planning on doing a reserve bow trade? I’ve already got a reserve bow built and it’s ready in case someone can’t get a bow out.
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So I just have a question, at this moment, does it look like the reserve bows are going to be needed? If not are we still planning on doing a reserve bow trade? I’ve already got a reserve bow built and it’s ready in case someone can’t get a bow out.
Nice work. It’s really hard to say at this moment. My hope is to make sure we get you in on a reserve trade of at all possible. We’re still a few months out so there is definitely time for people and I’m seeing good progress from most and it looks like there are a couple reserve bows out there. So fingers crossed...
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Dang... looks like I best stop messing around with pelts and get back in the woodshop! I don't know what to do about my humidity problem... maybe I'm going to have to build a proper hot box..
What about your solar kiln, how well does it work? how do you build one?
The solar kiln works alright.. it gets up to around 140 degrees on a hot sunny day, but there's not any airflow... I might be able to do something to get it to work a bit better. It does a pretty good job though when the weather is right... The problem is, is that the weather has to be right ;D
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Had to travel for a couple of weeks, so I took the opportunity to apply rawhide to the back of my crepe myrtle bow so it could cure while I was away. I put it in the basement by a dehumidifier and it dried out nicely. Got her bandages off today and on to final tillering. (I left some wiggle-room weight in case the backing changed the tiller.) The backing came out pretty well — better than my previous attempts, anyway.
This white wood is begging for a dye job, so I think I’ll oblige.
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beautiful :)
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Went to a small estate in mid Wales today, came back with 2 yew staves and 1 of box (buxus semp). Better, the small yew (57" length) was cut in December and hung up in the tree, so off the ground. Could make a wicked D-bow. Plan c is sorted then.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/img_20210812_164215817_hdr.jpg)
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Got the bow finished up. Shoots great! Holds about 1/2" of reflex.
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So guys another month has gone by. We’ve had some good progress and some promises for pictures, some fulfilled and others not. Some really nice bows coming out from what I’ve seen though! Either way I wanted to post a list of finished bows that have been posted. So far we have finished bows from myself, Flntknp17, Mafort, simk, jake snyder, and pasteve. But I haven’t seen flntknp17 or Mafort’s bow pics posted though but I have put my hands on flntknp17’s trade bow so I know it exists! Is there anyone else that is finished? Secondly, how are the reserve bows coming? We’ve got Deerhunter21, mafort, and TimothyR doing reserves and I’m hoping we can get a trade going with the reserves as well, especially for Deerhunter21 as he’s only building a reserve. Keep up the great work guys!
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Super cool Jake
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Mine is drying out for the next week and a half, and then I will seal it and shoot it in.
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Okay, I heat treated, straightened, and added 2" of reflex to my second bow, we'll see if I like this bow better than the first walnut one, which I think is awesome but a little underweight. this hickory piece is promising, we'll see how it turns out :)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51390353945_df44cabc69_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/5ba0rg)Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/5ba0rg) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51390353935_ff5602707a_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/66C784)Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/66C784) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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I'm calling her done. 64" rawhide-backed crape myrtle 3-piece takedown with a mahogany into black dye job, purpleheart overlays, goatskin handle wrap, triggerfish skin strike plate. As I expected with this wood, it took a wee bit of set, but I mostly offset that with some gently flipped tips. 40# @ 24". (Please excuse my form; I can’t do lefty worth a dang.)
(https://i.imgur.com/uvvE1yM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OkM1RcV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aDpXFRs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IjM7KqB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/b2Wh5KC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HxhUXQu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WNzOlSr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TPqQrvH.jpg)
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That is stunning stickhead! I’ll mark you ready and as we get closer to the deadline I’ll assess where everyone is and start making the shipping calls.
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I'm still here, had hoped to be done by now but life got in the way, should have plans b and c done by mid September so am behind where I want to be but still OK for final deadline
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That is stunning stickhead! I’ll mark you ready and as we get closer to the deadline I’ll assess where everyone is and start making the shipping calls.
What he said! Where is the jaw on the floor emoji?!
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Sneak peek, osage and bamboo. I'm still working g on several bows but for now this is probably going to be the one.
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Plan c is becoming plan a. Really like this stick.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/img_20210825_1726379207e2.jpg)
Two or three heat treatments in, deflexed is down to 2 inches from 4, thickness is 21mm all through. I think I'll start reducing thickness next it'll make the next heat corrections easier
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/img_20210825_1726472137e2.jpg)
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Ouahhhh Stickhead, that's a nice bow - could you please loose a few more words about the staining and finish job please? this is just awesome, looking noble just like a rolls royce (-S
Me myself having finished another one that might become the trade bow ;D
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Ouahhhh Stickhead, that's a nice bow - could you please loose a few more words about the staining and finish job please? this is just awesome, looking noble just like a rolls royce (-S
Me myself having finished another one that might become the trade bow ;D
Thanks a lot!
I used black & mahogany aniline dye with water, in 5 little cups: 1) pure mahogany, 2) mahogany with a little black, 3) half and half, 4) black with a little mahogany, and 5) pure black. I did a test run on a scrap and adjusted the colors to my liking. Then I brushed it onto the bow in sections, starting with #1, and faded out the edge of each color/section with 000 steel wool before brushing on the next. Some woods kick up the grain when using dye with water, but this crape myrtle didn’t. After drying and touch-up, I finished it with several coats of tru oil, applied with my finger. The finger method helps avoid drips.
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we are about 2 months away from the shipping date of October 20th!
Man Stickhead! that is really nice!!!!! i like it!
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Well I haven't been on here much lately but I do have my trade bow completed. It is the black locust sap wood stave I started with. It is shot in and maintaining it's profile well. It came in at 52 pounds at 27 inches. I still have to write on it but other than that is is ready to go.
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More pictures
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That turned out really nice! My mind is a little bit overwhelmed with the idea of a sapwood locust - shows your master level skills for sure! Someone is getting a really special bow!
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Hey everyone sorry it’s been a while. It’s been nonstop work and runs for me since I started ems. With COVID springing up it Seems like it’s work sleep and work again. I’m about to start tiller on my hickory pyramid bow mainly cause I don’t think plan A is feasible anymore. Hopefully you all aren’t too mad at me for not posting my work. Hope everyone is safe and healthy.
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Ouahhhh Stickhead, that's a nice bow - could you please loose a few more words about the staining and finish job please? this is just awesome, looking noble just like a rolls royce (-S
Me myself having finished another one that might become the trade bow ;D
That's gorgeous! I need to get my crap together over the next year or two so I can get in on these!
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I need the opinion of the group please. My current favourite bow to send will be too short of draw length. I think it will be a really nice yew character bow. If I do it right, it should be good for draw weight and will reach the requested draw length, but, it will be maxed out as the draw length is exactly double the distance from nock to nock. Would you be disappointed if you received a bow that was shorter than you asked for?
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I'm getting a finish on mine. The perfectionist in me is not satisfied, but I can't reasonably expect to do any better. It draws 45# @ 25", 50# @ 27". A little light, hopefully it will be good for dear, as per Fox's draw length thread.
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I need the opinion of the group please. My current favourite bow to send will be too short of draw length. I think it will be a really nice yew character bow. If I do it right, it should be good for draw weight and will reach the requested draw length, but, it will be maxed out as the draw length is exactly double the distance from nock to nock. Would you be disappointed if you received a bow that was shorter than you asked for?
It wouldn't bother me. My draw length is 28" but I've been liking a 26" draw. I seem to do better at instinctive shooting with a shorter draw length
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I need the opinion of the group please. My current favourite bow to send will be too short of draw length. I think it will be a really nice yew character bow. If I do it right, it should be good for draw weight and will reach the requested draw length, but, it will be maxed out as the draw length is exactly double the distance from nock to nock. Would you be disappointed if you received a bow that was shorter than you asked for?
It wouldn't bother me at all. I build arrows for each bow I have so I can be consistent when drawing that specific bow.
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I need the opinion of the group please. My current favourite bow to send will be too short of draw length. I think it will be a really nice yew character bow. If I do it right, it should be good for draw weight and will reach the requested draw length, but, it will be maxed out as the draw length is exactly double the distance from nock to nock. Would you be disappointed if you received a bow that was shorter than you asked for?
I know I shoot a little shorter than the draw length I originally posted.
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Hey everyone sorry it’s been a while. It’s been nonstop work and runs for me since I started ems. With COVID springing up it Seems like it’s work sleep and work again. I’m about to start tiller on my hickory pyramid bow mainly cause I don’t think plan A is feasible anymore. Hopefully you all aren’t too mad at me for not posting my work. Hope everyone is safe and healthy.
I wouldn't mind at all :)
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Hey everyone sorry it’s been a while. It’s been nonstop work and runs for me since I started ems. With COVID springing up it Seems like it’s work sleep and work again. I’m about to start tiller on my hickory pyramid bow mainly cause I don’t think plan A is feasible anymore. Hopefully you all aren’t too mad at me for not posting my work. Hope everyone is safe and healthy.
I wouldn't mind at all :)
What don't you mind?
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Hey everyone sorry it’s been a while. It’s been nonstop work and runs for me since I started ems. With COVID springing up it Seems like it’s work sleep and work again. I’m about to start tiller on my hickory pyramid bow mainly cause I don’t think plan A is feasible anymore. Hopefully you all aren’t too mad at me for not posting my work. Hope everyone is safe and healthy.
I wouldn't mind at all :)
What don't you mind?
Woops ! I quoted the wrong person :fp
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I need the opinion of the group please. My current favourite bow to send will be too short of draw length. I think it will be a really nice yew character bow. If I do it right, it should be good for draw weight and will reach the requested draw length, but, it will be maxed out as the draw length is exactly double the distance from nock to nock. Would you be disappointed if you received a bow that was shorter than you asked for?
This is who I meant to quote :)
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Just an update…I’ll be sending out approval to ship for a number of people shortly so watch your messages. It may have to wait until next weekend as I am off to Idaho on an elk hunt. But I’ll try for later today.
Also, one of the members unfortunately had a fire and lost all of his bow building stuff including his trade bow. That said we are going to need at least 1 if not a couple back up bows. So that said, if anyone has a reserve going it would be great. I’m also trying still get deerhunter in on the reserve trade.
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I need one more coat of finish and then I will call it as good as I can get.
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Managed to get a few sessions in this week; deflex is down to about 10mm, twist is about 15°. But some of the side to side bend has come back, bit annoying. Thinking maybe three or four more sessions with the heat gun. It is bending to 16 inches though, so I'll need to sort out a string soon.
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Sent my trade bow off yesterday
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I dropped this tube in the mail today. It is headed south.
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Got a couple pics uploaded of my finished trade bow.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_5312.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_5311.jpg)
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Got a couple pics uploaded of my finished trade bow.
[img width=338 no=600]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_5312.jpg[/img]
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b36/flntknp17/IMG_5311.jpg)
Someone is going to be very happy with that bow. Beautiful work!
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Will be getting my trade bow out by the 1st. Its maple back Ipe. Really nice little shooter. It 47#@26" and 57" t2t. R/D.
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Please be brutal, this is where my character yew is at. If you think its not gonna be up to scratch then say it. Heat treatment isn't finished, I want to flip the tips a tiny bit, and straighten the side to side at the handle. Once that's done then I can get on with tillering.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/img_20210926_125427834-01.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/img_20210926_125443561-01.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/img_20210926_135653407-01.jpeg)
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Stuckinthemud, it looks like it’s going well to me… seems like it’s got potential to be a great bow!
As for me… I’m getting close to putting a finish on my bow… but I have a question… how exactly does one ship a bow? I’ve only shipped like one ore two things before and they were small. So what exactly do I do? ;D (lol)
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Arrow boxes taped together. PVC pipe. 1x2 and 1/4” plywood. Us postal.you will figure it out. Arvin
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PVC pipe works well and would have to be a disaster for the contents to get broken. I shipped a bow in pvc through UPS and they would not ship with both caps glued on. Would allow one glued on but other had to be put on and taped in place by them. That was for a bow trade 3 years or so ago, and things may have changed, or it may have been a procedure of my local UPS office, but you might make a call before you glue lids on.
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So, I have a bit of a problem. I just finished my trade bow, and immediately found hairline chrysals. The bow is rawhide backed, is there anyway to salvage it? If not, I have a nice 36# @ 27" hickory board bow with cloth diamondback that I made August of 2020, but it's practically new. It is significantly underweight, but it looks great and it shoots. I'm very disappointed that I haven't finished a successful bow since February, but I can offer this bow or drop out. What do you all think?
The troubled cherry bow.
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My other offering, it has a slight reflex, but is also a little overbuilt. about 66" long. Tips are antler carved to look like rattles.
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I think its up to your judgement Tradcraftsman. You said its underweight for your person, do you think your person would be ok with an underweight bow? If so id say send it! its a really nice looking bow!
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I don't know, I can't say to much without giving away my recipient, but the min requested was 45#. I'll think I'll sent it unless someone thinks it is a bad idea.
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My favourite bow is 10lb under my "proper" shooting weight and 15 under my max draw weight but its so nice to have a bow to use on the range that I can shoot all day. I say send it.
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Ok then, I'm ready to ship.
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It wouldn't bother me to get an underweight bow.
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I'd say you put the effort in and it's a trade. If you feel comfortable with the quality of the build....send it. If I were the recipient it wouldn't bother me to get lower draw weight bow.
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So I printed my shipping label and scheduled a pickup tomorrow. Heading east (but then again everything is east from here, almost). Hope it arrives safe and my recipient likes it.
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Some very nice bow here!
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My bows done. Gotta do some slight finish work and get it buffed out and trim the handle some but it’s good and at my recipients requested draw it should do perfectly fine. Kidder I’ll send you a picture Monday of it
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Ok guys 19 days left to ship get them done .😁😁
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Had a series of family stuff kicking off, lost 4 weeks workshop time, gonna be right down to the wire on this one.
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Got a few pics of my trade bow before I wrap it up for shipping. I hope my recipient likes it. I've seen some very nice bows so far. Excellent work guys.
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One more. It's a fumed Osage bow with asiatic water buffalo and yellow heart tip overlays & yellow heart glued up handle with lambskin wrap and kangaroo lace.
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That turned out fantastic Steve - nice work!
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Nice!
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Nice bow Steve. I liked the one your brother shot his deer with in the magazine article too
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Thanks guys. Appreciate the kind words.
Well, I received my trade bow today. All I can say is it's beautiful. Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder the other day and can't really shoot a bow at the moment. Anyway, I was the lucky recipient of Kidder's Bamboo Backed ERC Bow. His craftsmanship is excellent. Attention to detail is well displayed in this bow. I don't think I could be any happier. I can't wait to shoot it. Thanks Kidder, you did an excellent job. I'll get some pics up soon. I'm sure there's more bows getting shipped out real soon. Can't wait to see everyone's work.
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Taken a long time to get here, but, straightening is more or less done. Might have one mor session to take out some more of the twist but time is running along and I haven't done the nock overlays, made a string, cleaned the back or finished tillering yet ! So, no pressure then :-[
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211006_183359316-01.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211006_183429615-02.jpeg)
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I received my trade bow from Swampman.....such a beautiful piece of wood, and after a lifetime spent with longbows, I just know when I pick up a bow whether or not it's going to "fit" with my shooting style.....well, I knew immediately that I was going to get along with this bow before I ever strung it! Pic is literally the first six arrows I ever shot with the bow at 15 yards. I have a couple treestands specailly set for selfbow ranges and this bow will definitely be hunting this fall.
Thanks Swampman!
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That is some good shooting! I am glad that bow fits you and I wish you success in the woods.
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Well, its fighting me all the way. As soon as I started flexing it, some of the shaping pulled out. I think I'm going to gently reflex the tips an inch or so. Taking my time with tillering. After a few hours this morning, its at a low brace and drawing to 14 inches would welcome any comments...
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211009_140308970-02.jpeg)
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Is it dry?
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RH was above 85% yesterday, think it might have picked up some moisture, might be a good idea to bring it into the house
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Opted to flip the tips an inch or two, tips are now level with the back of the handle in a deflex/reflex sort of thing. In for a penny, in for a pound, I took out most of the twist at the same time, just a minor tip adjustment left to go.Any thoughts?
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211010_163221497-01.jpeg)
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Good work everyone. I sent out some more shipping approvals. Still waiting on a few people but I think we are doing pretty good at this point. That said, as some of you are aware I’ve had to deploy a few reserves and also set up a reserve trade. I think I’ve communicated all necessary information to everyone but if anyone thinks they are missing info please reach out to me. Thanks for everyones hard work and patience!
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My trade bow got shipped to the recipient today. Hope he likes it.
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Finally fixed the washing machine and school breaks for half term , should be able to get into the workshop, keeping fingers crossed. Wish me luck
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Got my trade bow sent off today.
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Taken out to 16", small amount of set (less than 1/2 inch). What do you all think of the tiller?
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211017_162543243-01.jpeg)
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well, I got my bow finished and it is so beautiful, and the tiller looks great ... on the tillering tree.... I've been shooting it a ton, and its shooting awesome too!
but after a little while I noticed some compression fractures.... *sigh* The tiller looked so good on the tillering tree, but then I took an FD pic where I was drawing it .... oh it makes me so sad, I don't understand how I did this, why didn't I see that horrible top limp on the tillering tree?? it holds about 1" of reflex after a lot of shooting. the bottom limb took some set, the top took none, and it's the limb that I failed on, I really don't understand. I'm quite upset with myself.....
sorry guy, I will drop out cause I'm out of time to work on bows for a while :(
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603716055_301045b640_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/193V24)Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/193V24) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603716720_b999bea51c_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/G003rH)Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/G003rH) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51602833581_b39b5017ce_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/TyEF53)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603713655_3555d90806_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/1T09C0)Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/1T09C0) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickrheight=600]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51602833581_b39b5017ce_k.jpg[/img][/url]Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/TyEF53) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51603044003_571b77bda0_k.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/3950GQ)Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/gp/141458655@N02/3950GQ) by Livvydog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141458655@N02/), on Flickr
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I have no words. Totally gutted for you
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@ Fox, So sorry to hear that, that happened to 3 of mine, so I understand...
@ All,
I mentioned earlier that I am sending a bow I made summer of 2020 as my first three did not work. I would have had it out earlier, but I decided to put a new handle on it and serve a spare string this weekend. It is packed up and ready to go.
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What kind of wood is that fox?
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Its walnut allyn
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Ah bummer man
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Alright everyone - great work! Tomorrow is the shipping “deadline”. That said there are a few people still working away - keep working! And a few people who I haven’t given the shipping green light to but who have finished their bows. Those that are ready to ship by tomorrow will be entered in a drawing to win Selfbowman’s beautiful Osage self bow, regardless of whether you have been given the actual approval to ship. I’ll conduct the drawing when I get back from my Montana deer hunt. I’ll probably video it and post a link. Finally, if you have NOT been given approval to ship but are complete please PM me so I can make sure I haven’t missed anyone. Thanks and great work.
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Well, my guy's bow is mostly tillered, I love this bow, can I keep it please? Its nothing like what he asked for but maybe that's a good thing since its definitely not one he'd ever make for himself? Anyway, apologies for running very late, I think I'll be good to ship end of next week.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211020_095121070-01.jpeg)
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Just did it (-S
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So I just got my trade bow from PAsteve and guys this thing is scary fast and dead silent. My arrows also go exactly where they’re pointed. I can’t express how amazing this is. And the finish on it is super smooth.
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Anyone have suggestions on how to ship a bow? mine has some deflex and recurves so i cant use a big pvc pipe. I dont trust the postal system to treat a bow nice honestly.... wanna make sure its safe.
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Will be getting my trade bow out by the 1st. Its maple back Ipe. Really nice little shooter. It 47#@26" and 57" t2t. R/D.
I received a tube in the mail today and after what seemed like an hour, I finally got the wrapping off and found this bow from TimothyR inside. He is right, it is a nice little shooter. It is a beautiful bow and a pleasure to shoot. It is a true piece of art and I am proud to be the new owner of this bow. I will get some pictures of me with the bow posted sometime soon.
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I've been tweaking and fiddling, it now comfortably draws to my guy's draw length but I've missed his draw weight by a few pounds. The workshop supervisor reckons its time to put a finish on it.
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Anyone know why the image is so big, I've posted it the way I normally do, never had a photo come out so big gefore
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Anyone know why the image is so big, I've posted it the way I normally do, never had a photo come out so big gefore
I’m not sure why, but I took the liberty of resizing and replacing it.
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Thankyou
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Alright gang, who wants to enter their trade bow for Sept-Oct BOM? Drop me a PM.
...Tom
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Just received my bow from Stickhead. This bow is amazing, can't express how good.
Just one small thing I want to ask. It seems Customs (or USPS) cut the string into 3 pieces, although the parcel is not marked "opened by customs", my guess is if the bow and string were shipped together that counts as shipping a functioning weapon?? Anyway, making up a new string won't be a problem, but as I am shipping a bow through UK Customs this weekend, should I post the string separately?
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Just received my bow from Stickhead. This bow is amazing, can't express how good.
Just one small thing I want to ask. It seems Customs (or USPS) cut the string into 3 pieces, although the parcel is not marked "opened by customs", my guess is if the bow and string were shipped together that counts as shipping a functioning weapon?? Anyway, making up a new string won't be a problem, but as I am shipping a bow through UK Customs this weekend, should I post the string separately?
Well, I'm glad the bow made it okay. I never would have guessed that they would cut up the string. I suppose separate parcels would be safer.
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Its nothing like what he asked for but maybe that's a good thing since its definitely not one he'd ever make for himself?
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/img_20211020_095121070-01.jpeg)
well, I personally wouldn't be too happy to get something I hadn't asked for. It's really not what the trade is about....there's not so many rules, but delievering a bow at the requsted stats seems like the very basics.
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Fair enough, I know your standards are incredibly high, and I am not yet the bowyer I would like to be, but, this is easily the best bow I ever built, it draws to half its over-all length and has almost zero set. It is silent on release and smooth on the draw and I have found several reasons not to get to the post office because I just like looking at it. It is in fact above my guy's draw weight but at, or slightly above his draw length. As far as I am aware, this meets the obligations of the trade. I feel that one of the purposes of the trade is to give your guy something they would not make themselves. Look, if I made a beautiful pyramid bow in osage, hickory or yew then that is just what everyone on the trade would build for themselves, except they would make it better than I can, but, if I make a bow in a wood and/or a style that my guy would never build then they get to broaden their experience - I figure a character yew is pretty unique, in my signature style and the best representation of my current skills. I hope my guy can appreciate it for being my best, it is at, or as close to, his stats as I can get and the best bow I can build. If its not good enough then I don't send out a bow then he gets nothing and I get to keep it.................
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now comfortably draws to my guy's draw length but I've missed his draw weight by a few pounds.
OK fine stuckinthemud, If you added poundage since...sorry. Basic rules observed!
It is one thing to make the best bow you can. On the other hand it should not fall off too much from average level of the trade bows which indeed is very high; otherwise the trade is not a fair one. imho. I personally did wait a few years now before entering the bow trade, just because I felt my bowmaking wasn't yet good enough. Entering the trade for me means you have the wood and the skills to make any requested bow and to make any participant a happy recipient.
cheers
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Right, so at requested draw length I am 2lb light, but a half inch past draw length I am over the required draw weight. So, what do y'all think?
" Full draw "photo is not quite at fd as I do not like holding a biw at max length long enough to take a photo
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/img_20211102_164524600-01.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/img_20211102_165131122-01.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/img_20211102_165312805-01.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/img_20211102_165331802-01.jpeg)
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Fair enough, I know your standards are incredibly high, and I am not yet the bowyer I would like to be, but, this is easily the best bow I ever built, it draws to half its over-all length and has almost zero set. It is silent on release and smooth on the draw and I have found several reasons not to get to the post office because I just like looking at it. It is in fact above my guy's draw weight but at, or slightly above his draw length. As far as I am aware, this meets the obligations of the trade. I feel that one of the purposes of the trade is to give your guy something they would not make themselves. Look, if I made a beautiful pyramid bow in osage, hickory or yew then that is just what everyone on the trade would build for themselves, except they would make it better than I can, but, if I make a bow in a wood and/or a style that my guy would never build then they get to broaden their experience - I figure a character yew is pretty unique, in my signature style and the best representation of my current skills. I hope my guy can appreciate it for being my best, it is at, or as close to, his stats as I can get and the best bow I can build. If its not good enough then I don't send out a bow then he gets nothing and I get to keep it.................
I think this is more in line with the impression I got at the start. If it is not to heavy to be shot, or to light to be used, or uncomfortably long or shot draw, I see no issue. I would be very pleased to get that bow. ;D
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Stickinthemud - I think that’s a fine bow! It’s full of character and looks great! You should be proud of it, and I’m sure the recipient will be thrilled. I know I would be! A couple of pounds give or take wouldn’t matter to me. That was my thinking for your bow, anyway. (Might be a tad heavy)
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I do roughly see a hinge at the grip, then a stiff section and (maybe) another hinge...
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I am not sure, there may be,, but, that is where the wood wiggles up and down. I've been very wary about this section as full draw should follow unbraced profile, but, if I hit that downward bend with a little heat, it should give me the couple of pounds I need. The 'stiff' section is a reflexed section, I am really not sure making it bend more is a good idea. Would welcome some advice on this.
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yeah, you of course know your wiggles best ;D
in my impression there is a hinge at the fade. If its not a bad mistake in taper (obviously thin spot) dry heat can do a lot, even close to center.
If the stiffer section in the unbraced profile (which I dont have) is not visible as a very pronounced reflex, it should bend more. imho. maybe scrape it a bit, also to reveil stress from the hinge.
both measures should not lead to a loss of drawweight.
good luck!
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Thank you, will take it slow
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Deerhunter21 your inbox is full. Please also PM me your contact info.
Additionally, for those who have been waiting, I’m hoping to have the on time bow drawing completed in the next few days and then shipping out from there. I believe i will video the process and post a link to it here. Gonna be exciting!
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Alright here is the link to the on time trade bow drawing! Video quality is a little iffy but that’s what I get for having an 8 year old film and a 5 year old making a cameo for the drawing! If you are the lucky winner please PM me your info and I’ll get it shipped out. There’s still a few people building, and a couple that are finished and needing to ship. But either way keep up the great work. This trade has been a blast and I’m hoping everyone has had as much fun as I have.
https://youtu.be/QoFOtKeKzN4
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Thanks for organising everything, its been a lot of fun.
I've done two deep heat treats where Simk suggested, trying to resist drawing it until tomorrow then we'll see if its made much difference. Got the packaging and paperwork sorted so hopefully it shouldn't be long now.
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Nice video, congrats to the winner!
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Alright here is the link to the on time trade bow drawing! Video quality is a little iffy but that’s what I get for having an 8 year old film and a 5 year old making a cameo for the drawing! If you are the lucky winner please PM me your info and I’ll get it shipped out. There’s still a few people building, and a couple that are finished and needing to ship. But either way keep up the great work. This trade has been a blast and I’m hoping everyone has had as much fun as I have.
https://youtu.be/QoFOtKeKzN4
Congrats to the winner. Nice job on the video! You had some great helpers.
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Great job on the trade Kidder. Congratulations Stickhead and thanks to Arvin for the generous donation.
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Wow! I hit the jackpot again! Thanks Selfbowman, Kidder, cameraman, hat-reacher, and everyone else involved! That looks like one heck of a bow!
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You are welcome Stickhead enjoy the bow. Good to see most everyone got it done on time. Arvin
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[Wahoo, finally got an image to upload!!!!!
So, thoughts? Bottom photo shows the ups and downs of the limb in question
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/wp-1636318757700..jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/wp-1636320588533..jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/wp-1636323944663..jpg)
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I got me an Arvin bow!! Arvin's generously donated "On Time Bow" arrived this weekend, and what a beauty she is! (Not that I'm deserving of it, but I'm grateful for the luck of the draw.) Braced, unbraced and full draw profiles are spot on, and it shoots like a dream. This was clearly a premium stave of Osage, carved by a master craftsman. Thanks Arvin and Brendan!
This'll be a great design example for me to go by in the future, as will the superb trade bow I got from Dan (Santanasaur).
...Tom
(https://i.imgur.com/fyG3tjg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/D9idhNY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1XEaVyL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0l13Yfs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6M93ELY.jpg)
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Beautiful bow!!
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I just received my trade bow from Tradcraftsman today! It’s a very nicely done hickory bendy handle bow. He did a really nice job and I can tell he poured his heart and soul into it. Haven’t gotten to shoot it yet but the tiller seems spot on. Frankly it’s a bow design I’d probably never make as it is very different than what I’m currently building so it’s even more exciting! Thanks Trad!
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Glad it got there safe. I figured $20 in PVC was better protection than the same in USPS insurance. Plus, it makes a reusable bow case for the end user. ;D
P.S.
Did the end cap come off alright? I supper glued one end on and jammed the other pretty hard.
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Glad it got there safe. I figured $20 in PVC was better protection than the same in USPS insurance. Plus, it makes a reusable bow case for the end user. ;D
P.S.
Did the end cap come off alright? I supper glued one end on and jammed the other pretty hard.
Thanks Trad. I must have got lucky on which end cap I picked cause it popped right off!
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