Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: elijahjmhutchinson on April 08, 2021, 01:30:24 am

Title: Should I correct propeller twist? (Solved/Updated)
Post by: elijahjmhutchinson on April 08, 2021, 01:30:24 am

I'm working on a bow from a stave of hazel that I cut about a year ago. It has 45 degrees of propeller twist along the whole length. I decided that a "D" shaped ELB would be the best way to make use of it however, I'm not sure if I should leave the propeller twist in or if it needs to be corrected. I've taken care to keep everything even along the whole length and to keep it straight and parallel. What do y'all think? Should I try using heat or steam to correct the twist or just leave it as-is? I've included a couple of pictures for reference. Thank you guys!

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: stuckinthemud on April 08, 2021, 06:11:42 am

That'd heat out very easily.  You probably don't need to remove it but hazel reacts well to heat tempering so if it were me, I would temper it and straighten it at the same time

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on April 08, 2021, 06:50:11 am

And try to get it as good as you can. Propeller can really screw with an English longbow design. Even though you kept things straight so far, it probably won't be once it's braced and drawn. You may have to heat it and move things more than once.

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: Yooper Bowyer on April 08, 2021, 08:54:49 am

Would it still be wet under the bark?

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: Hamish on April 08, 2021, 10:34:26 am

If you use horn tips, you can set them in line with each other, rather than follow propellered back like you would with conventional nocks directly cut in the wood.

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on April 08, 2021, 10:55:48 am

Yes, I think so. Are you going to leave the bark?
Here is how I do it. Jawge

http://traditionalarchery101.com/fixtwist.html

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: Del the cat on April 08, 2021, 12:52:19 pm

You can do either! That amount of twist is manageable but probably on a wider limbed design. Steaming to remove the twist is easy if you have a length of drainpipe, a steamer and make up as limb spanner (just a scrap of 2x1 with another short length that you can screw to one end)
This post from the blog shows my limb spanner :)
https://bowyersdiary.blogspot.com/2019/02/yew-backed-yew.html
Del

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: elijahjmhutchinson on April 08, 2021, 02:30:43 pm

Thank you guys for your awesome advice as always! I am going to try to take out the twist and then remove the bark before tillering. I'll make a follow up post of the finished bow soon.  )P(

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist?
Post by: elijahjmhutchinson on April 08, 2021, 07:06:14 pm

It's far from perfect but it's much better than it was. I added a bit of reflex to the tips while I had the heat gun out. Also some antler.

Title: Re: Should I correct propeller twist? (Solved/Updated)
Post by: Fox on April 08, 2021, 07:10:55 pm

Looks awesome    :OK