Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Diligence on March 10, 2010, 11:37:52 pm

Title: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Diligence on March 10, 2010, 11:37:52 pm
Okay guys, finished another elm bow.  This is bow number three - and I finished this one in record time, but I had a little trouble tillering it out and it ended up being 7# at full draw.

..and about 5# at 12 inches.  I tillered it out to 17"....and it's about all it can take at that dimension.  It's an Elm (brandon sub-species) selfbow, with a bit of natural reflex to it.  It does not have any set.

Yes - my 3 year old said, "Daddy, can I have a bow too - and can you make it look like yours?".....well, I just had to comply, including the heat treated belly, plain finish and two knots in the lower limb.

the specs:
35" tip to tip, 34" ntn.
Width at fades, 7/8, tapering to 1/2" at midlimb and down to 3/8" at the side nocks.
Thickness just outside the fades a whopping 3/16", consistent to the side nocks.

This is a rigid handle design with an arrow rest cut out.  I heat treated the belly after tillering and it twisted a bit so I need to un-twist it with heat again, but for now it is fine although the twist makes the string sit outside the handle a bit.  The tiller is pretty good, but when it is this thin, wow, does it flop all over the place during tillering!!!!  I think I was down to taking .000001" swipes with the scraper at the end.

I made a mini-arrow too. 19" with flu-flu.  short enough to be fun, and long enough so that he cannot overdraw the arrow off the shelf.

He shot it tonight for the first time and seemed to have fun.  We only managed a couple of shots before bed, but I thought I best get the "money shot" for you all.

Here is his best full draw.

Cheers,
J

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Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: kerryb on March 10, 2010, 11:44:34 pm
very cool
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Pappy on March 11, 2010, 06:17:33 am
Cool, By the look on his face that is about all the weight he needs. ;) :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: profsaffel on March 11, 2010, 09:06:06 am
Hey, that's fantastic. I now know what I need to give my son for his 5th birthday.  O:)
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Parnell on March 11, 2010, 11:35:34 am
That is great!  I love to see pictures of kids with handmade bows.  He looks like he couldn't be happier.  Great job, Diligence!
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: DanaM on March 11, 2010, 11:44:23 am
That picture made my day :) Congrats its a fine bow and a finer son :)
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Canoe on March 11, 2010, 11:49:41 am
Howdy Diligence,

Excellent tiller, Perfect form!!!   

This bow may turn out to one of your most memorable bows you ever make.  It's a winner!!

Congrats,
Canoe
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: OldBow on March 11, 2010, 12:29:20 pm
Very nice bow and Brandon's going to like to see his picture for March Self BOM fun.
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Diligence on March 11, 2010, 02:31:50 pm
Thanks guys...I can hardly wait to get home today so we can try to shoot it some more.  I still have to show him how to do it, inlcuding how to hold it at arms length....but he already wants to shoot it at the neighborhood rabbits!

I told him we could take it to the park today, and he said, "No Daddy, it's too sharp and might hurt the little kids!"....he cracks me up.

Oldbow, his name is actually not Brandon, but rather the wood is Brandon Elm which is a subspecies of American Elm.

Cheers,
Jaye
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Josh on March 11, 2010, 03:20:04 pm
That's the coolest thing I have seen all day.   :)  Nice bow, looks like he likes it!   :)
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 11, 2010, 04:15:45 pm
Very nice to see. Jawge
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Barrage on March 11, 2010, 07:24:38 pm
Looks great Jaye.  You're not going to have many Jack's in the alley anymore.  >:D
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: venisonburger on March 11, 2010, 09:15:13 pm
Nice bow, that little guy is givin it heck, he'll be popping chipmunks before you know it.
VB
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: wildman on March 11, 2010, 10:01:46 pm
Awesome bow very natural,I bet no target is safe now
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on March 12, 2010, 03:05:27 am
Nice bow!
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: Diligence on March 16, 2010, 07:33:53 pm
Gentlemen - thanks again for the kind comments.  I showed him last night adn he was tickled pink to see his photo posted up here for you to see.

@barrage, @wildman - yep, those neighborhood rabbits better get good at hiding.....so should that yappy mini-dog next door.
@Dana, @ josh - thank you for the kind words, my children are my blessing in life.
@Canoe, @profsaffel- I'm already glad that I made this bow, and now I can hardly wait until my twins girls are 3 also!
@venisonburger, @pappy & @Parnell - yep, he cracks me up...smiling like the cheshire cat every time he pulls on it.

He's getting better at his form after only a dozen shot or so....as with most 3 year olds, his attention span is somewhat short, and it helps to have a nice big cardboard box, 8 feet away for a target.  Easy to hit, and loud when the arrow smacks it.  He is fascinated with the holes that are left behind when he pulls out the arrow.

For kicks and giggles, I shot his spiral flu-flu 19" arrow with 60gr field point on it - distance style at 16" draw. It really zips out to about 25-30 yards, then drops like a rock.  I almost want to make myself one this size so we can shoot together....hmmmmm - now there's a good idea and the weekend is coming fast.

Cheers all - spring has almost completely sprung!
Title: Re: Another Elm Self Bow
Post by: mullet on March 16, 2010, 07:57:07 pm
 Great little, bow and a happy looking son. I've got to make one for the Grandson when I get home.