Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: StickandString88 on January 09, 2010, 01:09:51 pm

Title: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: StickandString88 on January 09, 2010, 01:09:51 pm
I just helped my cousin complete a maple pyramid bow ( 72 inches long, 35@28, 1.75 at the fades tapering to 3/8 at the nocks).  He is dead set on getting it up to hunting weight. >:D At least we have some length to work with!  What would you guys suggest for getting it there?  I have been thinking about taking it down to 68" and toasting the belly.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: DanaM on January 09, 2010, 01:20:10 pm
Depends on his draw length
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: adb on January 09, 2010, 01:41:04 pm
It's 72", I'd pike it.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: Pat B on January 09, 2010, 01:52:37 pm
Your best bet is to leave this one as is and mark it up as experience. Start over and build the bow he wants. It is possible to shorten this bow and toast the belly to raise the draw weight but generally for a bow that has already been "stressed" you won't achieve the bow you want.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: Jude on January 09, 2010, 03:28:46 pm
Could pike it to 68" and back it with sinew.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: El Destructo on January 09, 2010, 03:49:19 pm
A thin Hickory Backing would probably suffice...and then re-tiller it...but I am with PatB...leave it alone and build another one and chalk it up to Experience....Pyramid Bows are too easy to make ...to justify spending the time in backing this one...unless you just want the Practice........
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: StickandString88 on January 09, 2010, 07:36:23 pm
Thanks for the advice guys, I will probably just end up leaving it the way it is.  I know a couple of kids that would love to have the bow.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: Pat B on January 09, 2010, 07:39:05 pm
 8)
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: Jude on January 10, 2010, 05:07:04 am
A thin Hickory Backing would probably suffice...and then re-tiller it...but I am with PatB...leave it alone and build another one and chalk it up to Experience....Pyramid Bows are too easy to make ...to justify spending the time in backing this one...unless you just want the Practice........

Good point. :)
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: StickandString88 on January 11, 2010, 12:45:10 am
I took Pat's advice and just built another one.  My cousin wanted a heavy hunting bow, so I grabbed another board and went to work.  The new one tillered out to somewhere around 65-70@28, which is by far the heaviest bow I have made so far. I think that is the max poundage I would consider for an unbacked maple board bow.  The board I used was really dense, so I am hoping that it will hold up to the strain in the long run. 
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: Dane on January 11, 2010, 07:52:31 am
Could we see the new bow? That was fast work, one day!

Dane
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: StickandString88 on January 11, 2010, 10:00:28 am
I will try to get you some pictures when all the finishing work is done.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: NTProf on January 11, 2010, 10:21:37 am
Yes. I would love to see pictures. I am looking for a maple board to try a maple pyramid bow.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: El Destructo on January 11, 2010, 10:26:26 am
Yeah....you are pushing the realm with Maple...thats a lot of poundage without backing it....JMO....and I have built a lot of Maple Bows from Boards...I sure hope that the Grain is running perfectly........ :P
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: StickandString88 on January 11, 2010, 02:00:08 pm
Good Point El Destructo......  That is exactly what I told my cousin, but he insisted that we leave it as is.  He's a little crazy. >:D It has pretty straight grain, but has a run off or two. If I was making it for myself, I would definitely back it and take a little poundage off. 

NTProf, I think you will like maple in the pyramid design.  If you get your width tapers fairly even, they about tiller themselves.  I basically just floor tiller them, pull them to 10" on the long string/fine tune tiller, brace them at 3", exercise/scrape out to target weight, brace them at 5 to 6 inches and continue to final draw weight.  The hardest part for me is not getting too impatient or wild when roughing them out on the bandsaw.
Title: Re: Piking maple pyramid bow
Post by: NTProf on January 11, 2010, 07:13:03 pm
Hey, thanks! That is really helpful advice. I think I will try it.