Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: aznboi3644 on March 13, 2010, 09:42:17 pm

Title: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 13, 2010, 09:42:17 pm

This is a 48" little bow that I saw laying on the lumber shelf at Menards.  1.25" wide 4 inch handle. 2 inch fades. 1 1/2" at the fades straight tapering to half inch nocks.  I'm not sure about the weight but its not much...around 30lbs at 24".  I added a cable backing to see if it would raise the draw weight and just to see if I could do it.  The bow will still draw back to 24" without the cable backing.  Shoots pretty sweet and very smooth with no stack at all.  I still haven't made some arrows for it but with some incorrectly spined arrows its still pretty accurate.  I would be confident taking small game withing 20 yards.

Took me only 4-5 hours total.  No tillering tree just with a mirror and some hand tools.  Tiller isn't perfect but I said it was good enough.  Set is only 1.75" just unbraced and settles to around 1 1/4" after a couple hours.

I learned A LOT from making this bow...I had my doubts on how far I could pull this back without it exploding in my face...but my confidence has gone up with red oak.  I think I have enough confidence to try a hunting weight board bow.  Thanks everyone for your wealth of knowledge...I've learned so much from this place.

sorry about the crappy web cam pics...i don't have the camera chord atm.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/image201003130002.jpg)

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/image201003130001.jpg)

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Barrage on March 13, 2010, 10:38:42 pm

Looks great.  Grats on the first one! :)

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 13, 2010, 10:39:56 pm

Tiller is excellent. Very nicely done. Jawge

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Lombard on March 13, 2010, 11:37:54 pm

Congratulations, looks like a fine little bow. I like working with Red Oak, well I actually like working with any wood that makes decent bows.  ;)

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Josh on March 14, 2010, 12:25:02 am

cool bow man tiller is great on it. red oak rocks, doesn't it?

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Pat B on March 14, 2010, 01:08:48 pm

You did a very nice job on this bow and being your first makes even more special. The tiller looks right on!

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: OldBow on March 14, 2010, 02:33:26 pm

Grea little riparian deer hunting bow. Nice work. Bookmarked, too, for BOM

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 14, 2010, 05:09:45 pm

Thanks guys...I really like working with red oak now...I took a few more pics for you guys...front profile with the cable backing.

I took the tie on nocks on both sides on the back for the bow string and another tie on nock on the belly side to hold the cable backing.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/image201003140001.jpg)

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/image201003140002.jpg)

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/image201003140006.jpg)

and a final better full draw shot...I was very surprised to get 24 inchs of draw from this 48" board without it breaking.  I must have done something right in selecting the right grain board.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/image201003140004.jpg)

enjoy everyone

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: medicinewheel on March 14, 2010, 06:41:31 pm

That's some serious bend in that little piece of wood!

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: KenH on March 14, 2010, 06:53:15 pm

Nice job!  And great technique for cable backing.  Gotta love those short bows!

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Pennhawk on March 14, 2010, 07:25:16 pm

Nice looking bow, good job.

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Dauntless on March 14, 2010, 11:55:09 pm

I love it man, good job.  I tiller with a mirror and hand tools too.

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Pappy on March 15, 2010, 08:23:59 am

Cool little bow,nice work. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: Parnell on March 15, 2010, 09:05:01 am

Very cool little bow.  I'd made a 48" maple board self bow about a year ago and was shooting it again last night but with an arrow that I'd made much shorter than my normal 30" - this arrow is 26-27" and the draw is about 23-24".  I couldn't believe how well it was shooting and with great arrow velocity.  It's got me wanting to make another now, as I think the old bow won't last long.  It was one of my first and I didn't quite yet have the hang of tillering so it developed chrysles.  I think I'd tagged it "beet stained d bow" or something. 

What did you use for the cable backing?

Cool bow.  Great job.

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 15, 2010, 01:14:19 pm

The cable backing is nylon trot line...I braided it and looped it once around on the back...so its only 6 strands...I still need to redo the cable backing...I didn't quite tie off the ends rights.  I just need to find a way so I can twist the crap out of the cable.

I am thinking of trying an artificial sinew cable to match the bow string.

I liked making this bow so much I went out and got me another 4 foot board...gonna make one for my little sister now.  Shes 16 and I got her into bows :)

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: blades7558 on March 18, 2010, 01:00:47 am

just an idea on how to twist the cable. i use a regular power drill and clamp the rope in the adjustable jaws  and hook the other end to a nail i don't know if that'll help you or not.

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 18, 2010, 09:09:32 pm

I'm sorry but I do not understand.  A power drill while the cable backing is on the bow?

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: billy on March 18, 2010, 10:36:20 pm

wow...your first self bow was cable backed???  That's insane dude!  You kicked it up a notch and that was just for your first one.  I'm scared to see what you make after you have a little experience! 

Title: Re: 48" Red Oak (first self bow)
Post by: wildman on March 18, 2010, 10:55:11 pm

Awesome little bow you did agreat job on the tiller I really like the way you did the nocks