Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: gstoneberg on August 30, 2010, 01:14:33 am
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After breaking my crooked osage bow, I began making a takedown. Before I could finish I received a call from a man from church who wanted me to build a bow for his son-in-law out of bodark. He was very specific, not osage... bodark. Maybe he was thinking bois d'arc, but I don't think so. I got a chuckle out of that. Anyway, I was so gung ho I got to tillering too fast and hinged the upper limb, you can see it here on the right:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5262/5576163750_7311a2ac40_z.jpg)
I contemplated starting over, but then remembered the sister billet I had worked to a growth ring for my crooked bow takedown. I began to think that maybe I could recover from the earlier blunder. The billet was pressed into service and Z-splices were cut in it and the original lower limb which hopefully had enough wood left for 50lbs of draw weight. The splice came out pretty well:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5252/5576163824_dd2a5bfce3_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5103/5575576619_b81c6b8309_z.jpg)
I tillered as carefully as I could, but could not get 50lbs. After cutting a couple inches off the bow it came out to 47lbs@28" and 64" long. Not sure if that tiller is good enough to take a couple more inches off the length.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5308/5575576633_7842250058_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5106/5575576651_0a132d12e9_z.jpg)
I was trying to time that last picture and get full draw, but I wasn't quick enough. I'm going to try and get him to shoot it before I do anything, he may like it that weight. I still need to clean up the handle and add some tip overlays. Thinking about mule deer antler again.
I wish it were better, but I'm glad it's a bow. I'm still wondering if it could handle being shorter to get a couple more pounds, what do you think? There is no backing on it.
Thanks,
George
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Great job!! i think you could take an inch off each end and that should get you over 50?I am a fan of antler tip overlays ;D my buddy jus gave me a whole bag full of tips and small antlers.
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Whew, I did take another inch off the bow and it lives! I never did weigh it, maybe later today. Here's Dwayne, shooting his bow for the first time early this morning.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6444174935_8d7f5b25fb_z.jpg)
Still needs the finishing touches, but I think it is gonna work.
George
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i can't see any pictures
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Me either??? Ah-ha, the web server died for some reason on my home linux server. I just restarted it That should be better.
Thanks for letting me know.
George
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now I see them. Great job!
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Looks nice. Great save and great way to recycle a blunder. (Must have missed that earlier.) :)
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Good job george! Looks great,what ya goin finish er up with?
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We talked about using some cedar heartwood for tip overlays. I can bring some home from the lease this weekend. I hope to cut a couple for staves too. ;) He wants the limbs unbacked so I'll likely take the easy way out and spray it with poly. I'm going to wrap the splice with thread for strength and then do a basic handle wrap. It'll be a pretty simple bow, but both of us like it that way.
He has a son that is chomping at the bit to build a bow. Hopefully he'll bring him over and we can get going on that. More fun coming!!
George
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sounds like fun,good lord willin i hope to take a hog with this bow while i'm down there.The ultimate hommage i think!!
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I'd like that. One of the things I'm doing this weekend is setting up a couple more bow stands. The lease was just set up for rifle when I got on but that's changing. I don't have any 2-person sets yet though. Gotta work on that for you and Parker.
George
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Thanks man,that sounds great!I'm chompin at da bit to get down there.Shot my bow some more this evening.I like it more and more everytime i pick it up.It makes me smile ;D ;D
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Nice fix! Jawge
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Never tried a splice, it looks good. Nice save, and good luck on the lease!
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The lease was a bust for hunting, no hogs. I think the recent storm knocked some acorns down early and the hogs are busy gorging themselves. I finally made some progress on finishing up this bow. Did a wrap on the handle to reinforce the splice:
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5097/5575576667_d5db776c8a_z.jpg)
The picture revealed that I need some more super glue to finish gluing the wrap down. I like the blue against the osage, too bad my handle wrap leather is black.
This was my first try using mesquite for a tip overlay. I think I like it.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5133/5575576679_c5bd94aa64_z.jpg)
Hoping to finish the bow up tomorrow.
George
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I like the blue on there.Serving thread?Very nice job on the tips!!
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Nice save.
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I saw this bow today, and I must say that it is quite beautiful! Feels and great in the hand and draws like a dream.
Rickey
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Hey Rickey, good to see you on PA. It was nice to meet you and your wife. The thread with the pictures of the osage I took while we were together there are here:
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,21503
Thanks,
George
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Nice save,good job. :)
Pappy