Starting a wild looking osage Update... COMPLETED with full draw

[LeightonM]

Will definitely be watching progress on this one. I’m curious as what your plans for a handle is? It looks like you removed the wood for the handle toget your deflex?

Yes I decided to remove the handle so that it would bend easier. Not sure what I'll glue back on yet.

[Selfbowman]

Will definitely be watching progress on this one. I’m curious as what your plans for a handle is? It looks like you removed the wood for the handle toget your deflex?

Yes I decided to remove the handle so that it would bend easier. Not sure what I'll glue back on yet.

I’ve thought of but have not tried yet. But here is a pic for putting reflex or deflex in a handle riser.

[Selfbowman]

Probably should put a piece of wood on the belly side of the handle after he shim is installed.

[simk]

Probably should put a piece of wood on the belly side of the handle after he shim is installed.

I have experimentd with the shim-method Arvin but didnt become really happy with it. Nowadays I returned to just bending the deflex at fades....

Leighton, it can be tricky to fit in a piece of handle in a place like this. The most convenient method to me seems to just press and fit in a few lams. Looking forward to see your progress 👍

[Selfbowman]

Smik I thought I’d try one my glue on pieces nearly always pop off. Probably just me and my glue ups.

[LeightonM]

I got the limbs reflexed. However in the process I think I over heated one area that had to move laterally and the belly cracked just above midlimb on the top limb. See attached picture.  Is there any effective fix? Or have reduced this one to a light draw bow?
 The profile isn't quite what I want. I think I'm going to deflex the handle some more. As it is the tips are about 5" ahead of the handle.

[LeightonM]

Here is the profile as of now.

[simk]

If the back is not affected you could fill that crack with 2k and be fine. The 2k will handle compressipn easy but not tension on the back. Good luck!

[LeightonM]

If the back is not affected you could fill that crack with 2k and be fine. The 2k will handle compressipn easy but not tension on the back. Good luck!

Ok thanks for the feedback. I'm not familiar with 2k however. What is it?

[simk]

2k = two part epoxy
Maybe someone else can suggest you a specific product. I'm not familiar with the us market.

[bradsmith2010]

sometimes on a crazy piece of wood,, just heating enough to get a string on it,,, will give you the same performance as a more complicated design,, without the risk of cracking and breaking in the process,,
useing a straighter stave for the more complicated design ..

[LeightonM]

Tell me what you think / see. It's pulled to about 20 inches approx 35#

[Hamish]

lookin' pretty darn cool!

[Del the cat]

Great thread... some interesting heating, bending, wedging etc.
Lookin' good
Del

[LeightonM]

I finally got this one finished up. She pull just about 40# @ 29", I was hoping for more like 48#. I had to wrap it with sinew at the shelf due to a check running off there. I finished it with paraffin.  It has a really smooth draw and shot. I'll try to get a full draw picture soon.