Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Nifty on December 24, 2011, 08:45:17 pm
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Merry Christmas Eve to all you guys!
I've been reading and lurking here for quite a while, and the bug has definitely bit me. I want to thank everyone at PA for sharing their knowledge and experience with the world, for free - you guys are awesome.
Here's a pic of the first bow I made, its a red oak "ELB" style. It was made from a scrap piece ripped off an oak board, so there wasn't much material there to begin with. It ended up at about 20# at 27". I learned a lot on it. It took a couple inches of set in the handle area, because in the beginning I had the outer limbs way too stiff and it was bending way too much in the handle. I don't have many pictures and most of them are terrible, so we'll skip straight to the full draw:
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee85/nifty944/Sticks%20and%20Strings/312202_10150323206016078_503331077_8291096_1191854909_n.jpg)
Now for my question:
Do any of you guys know of a lumber supply or something like that where I could get some bow wood in the Houston area? Boards are fine, something like Hickory or Ipe or Ash. My wife and I are stuck in Houston, TX because we have adopted our first child. We are waiting on government silliness before we can take him home to north GA. He's a great baby and sleeps very well, and sleeps a lot during the day. I am going completely crazy after 9 days in a hotel room, with at least another week to go. I wanted to see if I could get out for a couple hours while he's sleeping one day, just to kill some time until we can head home. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
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Ill bet that 20 lb bow leads to a life long interest of bow making. One of my first was a 10 lb bow for my step son which seems many years ago. That bow looks good for a first. And If there is a lowes or home depot around they sell lumber as red oak, maple and poplar usually. Have made bows of all three from there. Thats a start. I prefer Home depot because here you can cut whatever length you want without taking the whole board. Hope this helps and welcome to PA!
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Congratulations on the new addition to your family.
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Good first bow! Sounds like a wonderful holiday for you all - hope you don't get too stir crazy! Maybe google "lumberyard" for the areas you are in and you'll be going thru and call 'em up. They might have native boards like hickory or ash in addition to walnut, oak, etc.... Maybe even osage boards or posts. Lotsa that yeller stuff down there.
Good luck and congrats on the adoption!
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Nifty you got it going on...a new addiction and a new addition. Congratulations on both.
Welcome to PA.
Lane
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You pay the S&H I'll send you a hickory stave (2 years old) cut down to simi bow form reflex add.
If you like to add some weight sinew it. You say it beens to much in the handle and more sinew here untill you have it where you like it. Or just chalk it up to exsperince and build arother. Keep moveing forwand on mater how many bows you build they'll all tell you something. I you lession.
GO SLOW AND THINK ALOT. There should'nt be any hurrying with it comes to building bows.
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Welcome aboard, congrats on both accounts.
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Congrats on a nicely bending first bow and welcome aboard. surely you can find some wood in Houston. Have fun with the baby and your new hobby. ennet
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Nifty welcome to the famila ;)
That's a great looking first bow for sure! Congratulations on your new bow and on your new baby.
Cipriano
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Congrats and welcome! For wood sources try:
Rockler (hope link works): http://www.rockler.com/retail/houston-texas-hardware-store.cfm
Houston Hardwoods (looks like a good choice): http://www.houstonhardwoods.com/
Woodcraft: http://www.woodfinder.com/listings/redirect.php?id=12005
Happy shavings!!
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Welcome and Congratulations on your first bow and new obsession !!
Shooting the first one is a great experience. Feels great doesn't it :)
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dont know about wood suppliers over there but a nice first bow and good luck for future ones
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thats a great first bow
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Thank everyone for your kind words!
I already have a H-D Red Oak board bow at about 90% finished. (You can see it leaned against the wall in the picture) I was going for 40 @ 27. We'll see how it comes out!
Stixman, that Houston Hardwoods seems to be exactly what I was looking for. If I get a chance I will check them out tomorrow, and share the results of my adventure.
Crooketarrow, any idea what shipping on a stave typically runs? I didn't realize you could ship something with such an odd shape, but now that I think about it I guess the shippers will ship anything you're willing to pay for... I have a Fedex account, that may make things easier.
Next adventure: Find some Dacron!
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Welcome aboard Nifty.
I'm in the Houston area.
Clark's Hardwood Lumber is another good lumber place to wood hunt.
http://www.clarkshardwood.com/
Houston Hardwoods is Very Good.
I hunt there from time to time.
Another good source is Tree Trimming outfits.
As you drive around town keep your eyes and ears open for the sounds of the Grinder and track it down.
I also chase Chain Saw noise down when I'm out.
Strangely enough Woodcrafters is pretty light on wood selection.
But I do love to shop for Sand Paper, Glue, Super Glue and What Not there.
If all else fails PM me after the first of the year and I'll pass you an Osage Stave.
Happy Hunting!
-gus
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Congratulations on your first bow.
Bakh
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GO SLOW AND THINK ALOT. There should'nt be any hurrying with it comes to building bows.
That's some of the best advice...wish I could follow it, then I wouldn't have made so many light poundage bows ::) That one has a nice profile for a first bow. Keep at it; I'm eager to see what you come out with next. Congrats on the new addition.
Julian
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If all else fails PM me after the first of the year and I'll pass you an Osage Stave.
Happy Hunting!
-gus
Sounds like I would skip all those stores and hit up the best store in town at Gus'. ;).. :laugh:
Decent effort for your first...a lil constructive criticism(but I think you know n learned)but I still see a trace of a wee bit to much of a bend in the handle. I blend in the handle area last and make it give an inch or two before full draw.
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Good for you! Tiller looks pretty good . Once you start getting into the heavier poundage bows you'll beed to get those outer limbs bending a bit more or she'll shock you pretty well. Congratulations on the new addition to to your family. Oh and red oak can be obtained from the box stores. Just choose straight grained stock. Check my site for info. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
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Congratulations on your new Youngun' :)
After rereading your post I realize that you are on borrowed time here in Houston...
I missed that part the first read through... and was thinking that you were going to be in town for a while.
Sorry been under the weather the past few daze. ???
With that said if you PM me today or tomorrow I could get a stave into your hands.
Early Thursday we'll be on the move.
If we don't get together I wish you and your growing family all the Best!
-gus
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Thank you guys for your input, I appreciate criticism. Once I get home, I'll get #2 finished up and posted, so you guys can criticize some more! :D
George, your site has helped me tremendously. I have been lurking here and reading your site for several months now, and you guys have all been a big help.
Gus, PM sent. Your offer is extremely generous and appreciated!! :D:D:D
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Nice meeting you Nifty!
Wishing you and your Family the Very Best!
Give me a shout next week(Next Year!) if you guys are still in town maybe we can make some wood shavings.
Or Fire off the smoker and cook something.
:)
-gus
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Thank you again for your generosity Gus!
We'll see how this week turns out, but I'm sure you understand we're ready to get the heck out of Texas! The smoker sounds tempting though...
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Congrats on the first bow and your baby! Oh, and happy holidays to you!
Just thinking ahead a little, once you get back home to north Georgia, I believe there's a decent lumberyard in Dalton you could take a look at. I forget what it's called (I google mapped it, I think it's the Baldrige Lumber and Co, Inc. but I'm not 100% sure) but it's where I got a bunch of straight-grained hickory for some practice swords; I'm sure they'd have some good boards, hickory and otherwise, for bow wood too.
Good luck on your next bowbuilding adventures!
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DO NOT TURN DOWN THE SMOKER!!!