Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Pappy on June 25, 2007, 07:02:01 am

Title: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on June 25, 2007, 07:02:01 am
I finished tillering my first BL. bow this weekend and want to flip the tips,don't know why but I
do it on most of my Osage and want to do this one.Will dry heat work on it as well as Osage or dose it need to be boiled/steamed.Dry heat worked well wit the straightening and reflex but wasn't sure on the tips.
   Pappy

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Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Hillbilly on June 25, 2007, 07:39:04 am
She looks good, Pappy. Locust usually bends easily like osage, you should be fine with a heat gun unless you're making a radical bend.
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on June 25, 2007, 08:05:59 am
Not to much,just the last 6 inches of the tips bent back about 3 inches or so.I was hoping that was the case,I really didn't want to boil or steam it. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on June 25, 2007, 08:46:58 am
She looks good as is ;D ;D...wouldn't flipping the tips put more strain on the inner limb  ?... can that wood take it ??
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 25, 2007, 09:48:39 am
Well I haven't had much luck with BL and heat, Pappy. What's  the set on it? Jawge
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on June 25, 2007, 09:50:47 am
Don't know,that is why I am looking for info,Never worked BL before.I think from what I have heard it will,It has a lot of characteristics  of Osage.It will be OK as is but flipping the tip do give them a little more spunk and will smooth out the draw,at least it will on Osage. :)
    Pappy
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Ryano on June 25, 2007, 10:03:02 am
Pappy Dry heat will work fine just be careful not to overstress locust, it can fret pretty easy. What are the overall dimensions now?
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on June 25, 2007, 12:20:13 pm
Jawge ,got that late.It took about an in. of set and no string follow yet it had about 1 1/2 of reflex when I started tiller and is about flat now.Ryan the bow is 65 n-n 1 3/4 wide to mid limb and tapered less than 3/8 at the tips.It shoots fine I just like the tips flipped may just leave it alone. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Badger on June 25, 2007, 12:28:26 pm
Like some of the guys above said, the bow looks great right now, flipping the tips could cause it to start chrysaling. Seems like locost will only take a small omount of set before it starts to chrysal. Steve
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on June 25, 2007, 12:49:10 pm
Thanks guys I guess I will just leave it alone. :)Don't want to take a chance,it shoots to good now
just always want to tinker with something I guess. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: snedeker on June 25, 2007, 01:39:45 pm
I have a BL in progress on which I steamed the tips into a moderate recurve.  They went over nicely in 50 minutes.  This is from a log that has proved sturdy.

If I can get it done.

Last week I ruined a maple backed hacberry - ever notice how often trouple arises when the thought,
"Geez she's goin' down slow, I think I'll switch to the belt sander with 24-grit"    pops into your head?

Dave
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 25, 2007, 02:14:57 pm
Pappy, I think you made a good choice. :) Jawge
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Asiertxu on June 26, 2007, 07:10:35 pm
Hey Pappy!!
That bow looks very good to me too... 8)...very nice tiller on that bow!!... :)..
Have you noticed any chrysal on belly area so far mate..??..
Thanks for sharing that beauty and all tha best!!
Cheers...
Asier.
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pat B on June 26, 2007, 11:54:26 pm
Very nice bow Pappy. BL is one wood I have problems with. With that beautiful tiller I'm not surprised you got a shooter. ;)    Pat
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on June 27, 2007, 06:14:34 am
Thanks Pat,I think I will leave it alone and just go ahead and finish it.Asier no I haven't seen
any problem yet,This was my first BL and had heard they were bad about that so I went real slow and very careful on the tiller and so far so good,I have shot it maybe 100 now and it seems to be doing fine. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Auggie on June 27, 2007, 09:48:36 am
Thanks, Pappy I just got a big freebie BL log split it  up and drying cant wait to see if I can make a shooter soon. May have to keep the fire pit ready just in case.  The way my lucks been latley I may have to sacrifice some osage.   Auggie
Title: Re: Bending BL
Post by: Pappy on July 12, 2007, 11:29:13 am
Got the overlays on the tips[Buffalo horn from Justin] and some Timber rattler skins glued on yesterday,Tweaked the tiller on the bottom limb just a bit and now ready to put on the grip and seal.Hope to have pictures of the finished bow sometime next week.It really shoots nice
for my first BL bow I am pleased so far.Got about 150 shots through it and no frets yet. :)
   Pappy