Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PEARL DRUMS on November 27, 2011, 10:39:55 am
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I have two osage billets that are only 1 5/8" x 1 5/8 x 42". Is there another strong joint I could use besides a "z"? I have zero experience using anything but a "z". I thought about brass sleeves, but I dont believe I have enough stock to make them work. I am going to glue a handle section on so the back will be secured.
Thanks!
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I haven't used a splice yet, but what about the splice that was used in the pick axe handle bow article in the latest PA mag?
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Thats the one that got me thinking Ryan. It looks like it would work great with narrow billets.
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You have to narrow the handle area on spliced billets to almost finished handle size or chance loosing most of your splice shaping the handle later.
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a simple 'V' splice always worked well for me.....
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I have replaced limbs using a Z splice on osage bows with a lot less wood to work with than you have. I use urac, top the splice off with a glued on handle and have never had one come apart.
Here is an example.
Start.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/limbreplacement3.jpg)
Cut.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/limbreplacement4.jpg)
Fit
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/limbreplacement5.jpg)
Glued
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/limbreplacement9.jpg)
Finished with added handle piece.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/limbreplacement11.jpg)
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Nice job Eric. I assumed my billets were too narrow for a "z". It woudl appear I was wrong! I am going to try it.
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If the wood is wide enough for a handle it's wide enough to splice v , z or w
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I cut a "V" in and glued it up tonite. I have been taking pics since I split this nasty, ugly, skinny billet. Im hoping to do a somewhat quick build along. I have never done much pic posting so it may get as ugly as the bow Im trying to build :)
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A tapered finger joint like what I wrote about in a previous issue of PA magazine can be made quite short, so short in fact that the whole joint easily fits inside your hand. All of the tapered finger joints I make are no more than 2" long yet have more glue surface than a 4" Z splice.
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Marc,
Are you talking about the same type splice Glenn St.Charles used in "Billets To Bow"? He divided the handle area of each billet down the center, then placed tick marks at the center of either end of those two divided sections. When you connect all the dots from corner to tick mark, back to corner, you end up with a "W" splice. You cut out of one, what you don't on the other. You can also introduce a little reflex into your stave at glue up!