Osage Pyramid Bow Build-Along-FINISHED!

[George Tsoukalas]

4est, very nice work. The bow is outstanding! Jawge

[4est Trekker]

I've been watching a little spot on the lower fade that was fishy from the start.  It appeared to be a slight defect in the wood that I noticed after heating in the reflex.  It has since developed into a chrysal.  It has been holding fine after about 50 shots today at full draw (which is two inches longer than mine and ain't easy to manage for my scrawny little arms!).  However, I could never send it off in its present condition, so I decided to repair the area using a rosewood plug.  Here's some pictures of the process.  The first is of the offending area:




I've roughly marked my 1/4" diameter hole to be sure I can remove all of the damaged wood:




Next, I clamp the bow to my drill press work table and properly align a 1/4" straight cutting router bit will a flat bottom profile.  I set the drill press to the highest RPM's and then drill the hole:




I use a 1/4" plug cutter to cut out a Honduras rosewood plug.  H. rosewood has a specific gravity of about 0.90 while osage is around 0.82.  I use a wood denser than the bow for the plug to help prevent it from collapsing on itself:




I saturate the hole with superglue and tap the plug home:




A little sanding and we're back in business:






Looks kind of like a wart, eh?  I'll leave it sit overnight and start drawing it some tomorrow.  Thanks for looking.

[Lee Slikkers]

Miss Monroe had a beauty mark and she made quite the last impression...I'm sure this Osage will as well.  Nice work 4rest.

[JW_Halverson]

This bow is giving me a 7 Year Itch.

[4est Trekker]

Alright, so here's an update on the "plug patch."  There seems to be no ill effect on the bow.  Here it is drawn to 1" shy of full draw.  Sorry about the poor picture...it's at work where I often use the large mirrors to tiller a bow.

[DEllis]

That is a beautiful bow. I like your fix for the little fret and the kerf lamination technique is great too. I've learned a few things from this thread.
Darcy

[ErictheViking]

nice save, I will have to remember that technique, thanks for showing the process.

[4est Trekker]

Well, I gotta stop shooting this bow in before I ruin what few arrows I have left.  Here's some indoor shots from 15 yards today...I scared the nock off of one arrow    :scared:   I've got the handle contoured and am ready for final sanding, finish, etc.  Looking forward to giving it away  

 

[artcher1]

That's some fine shooting 4est! You were smart to wrap below your nocks. Hey, here's a tip that will help with those busted nocks. If you can find the rest of the nock, super glue it back on, then heat the plastic nock and remove. Your repair (nock taper) will have already been made when you glued the busted piece back on and now all you'll need to do is glue on a new nock. Works exceptionally well...........Art

[ohma2]

as usual 4est fine work. im glad you posted the plug on the edge of the limb. ive  been doing that with deer antler for some time , been criticized by some saying it wouldnt last,well it will and does. i have a couple bows that are several years old and were repaired in that fashion. it holds up just fine, even on the limb edge. again beautifull work.

[4est Trekker]

Here's the finished pictures of the bow.  It's 64" ntn, but I can't reveal the draw weight/length as it's for a trade on another site...I'd hate to give it away :-)  I've been shooting it a bunch and really like the way it handles.  I wrapped the end of the kerf cut in the tips just for added security.  I've never had one give, but a good solid wrap is cheap insurance.  You can catch a glimpse of that plug patch in some of the photos, which still reminds me of a "beauty mark."  Anyway, thanks for lookng!

[ken75]

beautiful bow 4est. , whoever gets that will be proud 

[medicinewheel]

Great bow!

[HatchA]

That turned out amazingly well!!  Love it!  Maybe call it Marilyn 

[skyarrow]

Man that's sweet