Author Topic: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress  (Read 31297 times)

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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #15 on: March 11, 2015, 09:54:08 pm »
Thanks for the input and encouragement, guys. I'm considering backing for two reasons, the first being a little extra insurance against imperfections, and the second for practice when I end up doing my Osage bow. I'm going to try rainbow trout skin over the silk this time (because I have a lot of it in my freezer at the moment) and on my Osage bow I'll be using brown trout skin or a combo of brown trout and pike skin - partly for the look, partly for the function, partly for the predator mojo. If you've ever caught a 'hangry' brown or pike, you know what I mean!

"Hangry" pike mojo....slippin' thru the woods, striking with sharp teeth, merciless predation.  I can get behind that!
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline dbb

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2015, 10:21:02 pm »
Thanks for the input and encouragement, guys. I'm considering backing for two reasons, the first being a little extra insurance against imperfections, and the second for practice when I end up doing my Osage bow. I'm going to try rainbow trout skin over the silk this time (because I have a lot of it in my freezer at the moment) and on my Osage bow I'll be using brown trout skin or a combo of brown trout and pike skin - partly for the look, partly for the function, partly for the predator mojo. If you've ever caught a 'hangry' brown or pike, you know what I mean!

"Hangry" pike mojo....slippin' thru the woods, striking with sharp teeth, merciless predation.  I can get behind that!


I also like the idea..,but sadly pikeskin dont keep the pretty pattern well.i have tried numerous times and the best i got was a drab dull greenish color.
It's better to ask and look like a fool than not to ask and remain one...

Offline lebhuntfish

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2015, 11:42:18 pm »
Very nice so far. Looks like you are on your way. When you get  to using your trout skins remember they are paper thin. You might try soaking them in glycerin to keep the colors. I haven't done this yet but I've had beautiful fish skins turn grey when air dried. Patrick
Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout!

Missouri, where all the best wood is! Well maybe not the straightest!

Building a bow has been the most rewarding, peaceful, and frustrating things I have ever made with my own two hands!

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #18 on: March 23, 2015, 10:36:09 pm »
Got 'er to the bendy stage today! Obviously one limb is a little more limber (ha, ha) than the other. I think it's an overall width issue (according to my machinists calipers), thickness is pretty even overall, but possibly the fade is a little too fat on the one side. After that, it's gizmo time!
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2015, 09:31:36 am »
See that yellow tape in the background, you left limb is bending way too much under that tape, same on the right limb. Better make a tillering gizmo before you go further.

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2015, 01:28:31 pm »
Getting closer! Sorry about the crap in the background, I'll get something better worked out today some time so it's easier to see. I'm aiming for 40-45lbs @ 27". My bucket has 37lbs of scrap stock in it.
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline sieddy

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2015, 01:49:21 pm »
Looking good Andrea. I've got a feeling that yours is gonna come out better than mine.  :)
Best of luck!
"No man ever broke his bow but another man found a use for the string" Irish proverb

Offline bubby

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2015, 02:56:51 pm »
Looking a little hingy both spots that eric mentioned, did you get a gizmo or even just a six inch straight edge, i think you will find a big gap in both limbs where it looks like a little hump, don't take anymore off in those spots till you get the rest bending
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline bubby

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2015, 02:58:56 pm »
I'm guessing about mid limb on the left and a foot out from the fade on the right
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #24 on: March 24, 2015, 06:07:26 pm »
Okay, once more, with feeling!

... and a better backdrop and some work with the gizmo.
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #25 on: March 24, 2015, 06:28:05 pm »
Here's one with 40lbs on.  Stretched a second string from tip to tip just for reference.

Now that it's bending much more evenly, should I continue to take it down to target weight by thinning the limbs or reducing their width (since it's a pyramid bow)?
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline bubby

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #26 on: March 24, 2015, 06:41:12 pm »
file some nock grooves in it and go to a low brace say 3"
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #27 on: March 24, 2015, 06:42:23 pm »
That picture looked terrible. Try this one instead.
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline bushboy

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #28 on: March 24, 2015, 06:49:22 pm »
Yes,low brace! First I would bend it on the floor because your outer limbs need to bend so you don't stress the inners.
Some like motorboats,I like kayaks,some like guns,I like bows,but not the wheelie type.

Offline bushboy

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Re: Hickory Board Bow - first solo bow building attempt, work in progress
« Reply #29 on: March 24, 2015, 06:54:36 pm »
Floor tiller
Some like motorboats,I like kayaks,some like guns,I like bows,but not the wheelie type.