The Iowan Path

[Went tam]

Hey Matt is this the SOB stave?

Yes, not the very first one, I have another name for that one, this the one that we chased as a group and then I found the separation in the ring last week.

[Went tam]

Here's where the "SOB" bow is right now.  46# @ 26" 4# less than my target but not an epic fail.

[iowabow]

I think your doing great. Is this your 3 bow now? Matt people like to see the back, belly and unbraced side pictures also because it helps them understand the design. Different designs can have different tillers. It looks like a lever bow to me. If you like the poundage and look of your third bow don't change it. If you wanted to continue tillering it some of the better bow builder would give advice if you added a couple more pictures.

[iowabow]

Just remember the efficency  of a well tillered 40 pound bow could out preform a 50 pound bow in speed, comfort, accuracy.  On the other hand a bow with a stiff limb is a bow and a bow you over work is fire wood.

[iowabow]

Had a little shop time over at Went tam's place. This guy has the most amazing set of tools. Check this out he used a radius plane to plane the caul he made and the saw he uses is all handmade.  This is me continuing work on the mentor bow. This bow is going to be real nice.

[YosemiteBen]

I have the same plane that I inherited from my grandfather!

[Went tam]

Really enjoyed the shop time JB.  Especially the part where I showed you how to make lots of little rocks out of much larger ones, a handy skill if you have a primitive drive way to build.  Of course that stuff you were doing with the rocks was pretty cool too.  Maybe someday I can make something other than driveway fodder.

The circular plane is one of my favorites, doesn't get used a lot, but it's great for what it's made for and I just think the construction of it is so cool.  Made in the day when tools sacrificed neither form or function.

Will most likely  go out and pick through the gravel on the shop floor and make some more gravel later

ME

[iowabow]

With snow on the ground the syrup making season begins.

[iowabow]

First round of maple syrup just about done. Isaac made us a label for our bottle.

[iowabow]

With the maple syrup done for today I started working on the timber stand improvement project. Matt I was able to, with Isaac's help, set one of the trees up for cutting with the chainsaw mill.

[Went tam]

Awesome!   Obviously today didn't work out for me.  I have some time in the am tomorrow, and Shell and the girls are going to Nebraska next weekend thru Monday, so I'll have all kinds of time then. 

[iowabow]

Ok if you want to come out in the morning that would be cool. We can take a look at the timber I am working on. In the afternoon Paul is coming out to work on bows.

[Went tam]

WTH!   Does the weather always have to turn to $&@! when I make plans to come to your place?

[iowabow]

Matt I am not sure that the snow will ever go away. 3 more inches last night.

[Went tam]

Not going to make it over, as I will end up being the shuttle pilot for two girls that stayed at grandma's last night.