Starting Small (finished Firewood pictures)

[bjrogg]

Straightening firewood

[bjrogg]

It might need a little tweaking but I like where it going.

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

I think I’m going to build up my handle now.

I start out by gently but firmly clamping my stave to my caul

Then I use just the right thickness of wood and make a pencil line on both sides of my handle.

Then I make a nice flat surface for my glue line with my file by filing to my line.

When I build up a handle I don’t use a block. I use multiple thin layers of wood. This stops it from popping off at glue line.

I go to my personal lumberyard. I cut these from tree branches on my table saw

Then I size all the glue surfaces liberally with tb2 and clamp every inch

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

Building up handle on firewood

[bjrogg]

Now we will let the glue dry and cure.

A brief summary of what we have learned from this knarly piece of Osage

We chased four rings

Did three belly splits

One unsuccessful handle splice and two successful ones

Straightened four limbs

Built up a handle

That’s a lot of practice from this piece of scrap wood. Your mileage may vary but it’s worth giving it a try.

I’ll get back to it after the glue dries good and I can start tilling

Bjrogg

[Pat B]

Excellent build along, Brian.    Years ago a friend gave me 3 osage staves that should have been firewood, with every malady you could think of for bow building wood. I spent all winter working these staves and by spring I came out with 5, shootable bows. Not the prettiest bows and some low weight but 5 shootable bows. My big take away from this experience is with patience, experimentation and a goal you can build shootable bows and learn a lot about the wood and the process.
 Thanks for this build along, Brian. I'm sure it will encourage others that they can do it too.

[Muskyman]

I agree with everyone else. This has been pretty cool to follow. Kinda inspiring for me really. Making me want to go out to my shop and see what I’ve got laying around out there. I know I’ve got 4 or 5 pieces of stuff out there that I can play with. Some actually should make a decent bow with some patience and a little TLC. Thanks Brian.

[bjrogg]

I agree with everyone else. This has been pretty cool to follow. Kinda inspiring for me really. Making me want to go out to my shop and see what I’ve got laying around out there. I know I’ve got 4 or 5 pieces of stuff out there that I can play with. Some actually should make a decent bow with some patience and a little TLC. Thanks Brian.

Thanks Pat

Muskyman that’s exactly why I’m doing this. I want to encourage everyone to play with some wood. Experiment Have some fun

Speaking of fun back to kindling

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

I need to build up my handle on kindling.

It’s noticeably thinner than the fades. Very uneven surface. So thin I don’t want to file it flat.

I dry fit three really nice Osage shavings from my draw knife to the belly side of my splice. I probably should have done the back to.

Then I sized all the glue surfaces liberally and put them on the belly of splice again running through the handle and splice area.

Then I tightly wrap the whole sloppy mess with artificial sinew.

Hopefully when the tb2 dries the Osage shavings will stiffen my handle.

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

Then before I went home I glued on my tip overlays. I partially shape them but leave the string area high yet.

I used gorilla glue and it needs to be clamped.

I wrapped it first with artificial sinew and then used a small clamp to squeeze it tight.

These small rounded overlays can be hard to clamp. This works good

[bjrogg]

This morning I took off the clamps

Then I used my bastard file to shape my tips.

I cleaned them up with Emory cloth and a razor blade for a scraper

Bjrogg

PS I don’t know what I’m going to get from this one. It might just be experience and a broken bow, but it’s gonna look good doing it.

[bjrogg]

Got kindling to brace. Not a real pretty one.

Thought I’d take a couple pics before something breaks.

I’m still not confident with my handle. Wish I would’ve put Osage shavings on back of splice two.

Bjrogg

Didn’t blow apart yet

[GlisGlis]

Very nice build along BJ
I'd love to see more picture of your bandsaw. is it diy?

[superdav95]

Very cool Bj!   Kindling bow is progressing nicely

[razorbak]

That is beyond cool can’t wait to see the rest. I’m learning big time from this