Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Alaric on July 03, 2012, 11:59:27 am

Title: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Alaric on July 03, 2012, 11:59:27 am
Since I got back into archery recently I have been shooting 2 rounds of 15 arrows every morning before leaving for work to build my arms up. I have been using an Ash bow with Yew belly laminations, Seen here: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,33450.msg441179.html#msg441179.
This morning on my 3rd or 4th shot 6 inches of the lower limb broke off at about half draw, it looks like the lamination must have separated allowing the yew to buckle.

Lousy way to start the day,

Richard
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: toomanyknots on July 03, 2012, 12:23:53 pm
That sucks. It happens though. It doesn't look like it was any issue with your tiller? Tiller looks good to me. It was a very cool bow though. I'm sorry that it broke.  :(
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Alaric on July 03, 2012, 12:45:39 pm
It’s not the first I’ve had brake and it was by far the least spectacular, The most spectacular so far have been Yew ELBs, I’ve had 2 let go when first shooting them in, both at full draw, that will wake you up, lots of shrapnel. This one just felt like I pulled the end off, what suck most it this was the first bow I made.

I’ll post pictures tomorrow.

Richard

Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Alaric on July 04, 2012, 05:20:06 pm
Here are the Pictures:

Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: soy on July 04, 2012, 05:27:18 pm
 :'(  :'(  :'( bummer
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: UserNameTaken on July 04, 2012, 06:01:12 pm
I'd give it a viking funeral or something. Send it off in a little boat and shoot burning arrows at it. Just don't let parks and recreation catch you. They don't like viking funerals.
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: mikekeswick on July 04, 2012, 07:25:43 pm
I don't think it was the glueline that went.
That was the ash failing in tension.
Always a shame when a bow blows.
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: DarkSoul on July 04, 2012, 08:26:36 pm
I agree that the glueline wasn't the fault probably; the ash was. Although it appears straight grained, there's a clear tension break.

Could be caused by the backing, which is (in my opinion) too thick for the very thin belly. I strive to get a belly that is at least as thick as the backing at all times, preferably thicker.
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Alaric on July 04, 2012, 08:30:34 pm
I don't think it was the glueline that went.
That was the ash failing in tension.
Always a shame when a bow blows.

I came to the same conclusion once i found the missing  piece and had time to really look at it, I didn't have much time yesterday morning and I wanted to get the rest of my shooting in before I had to leave.

Richard
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Alaric on July 04, 2012, 08:37:24 pm
Could be caused by the backing, which is (in my opinion) too thick for the very thin belly. I strive to get a belly that is at least as thick as the backing at all times, preferably thicker.

the ash isn't the backing so much as the yew is the belly, It started life as an ash self bow that turned out to light so as an experiment I added yew to the belly and retillered. I worked out pretty well until now, I made the bow in 92.

Richard
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: H Rhodes on July 04, 2012, 10:05:53 pm
Well, I hate that it blew up, but it sounds like it gave you a lot of years of service.  First bows are special. Maybe you can salvage some parts for handles or  tip overlays - keep it in the game somehow. :( 
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: lesken2011 on July 05, 2012, 12:51:59 am
Too bad. That one lasted a while. I know it probably meant a lot to you. Sorry you lost her.
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: smoke on July 05, 2012, 11:20:38 am
Join the club Alaric!  My first one did too after about 100 shots.  I thought bow making was easy with that bow . . . then I got humble the hard way!  keep at it and you'll be surprised how fast you improve. 
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Newindian on July 05, 2012, 01:26:23 pm
My first died a few weeks back.... But it probably deserved it ;D. Still a shame for yours
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: dwardo on July 05, 2012, 05:49:23 pm
Viking burial and remember the good times.  :-[
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: SLIMBOB on July 05, 2012, 07:43:53 pm
My first one still shoots, it was the next 3 or 4 that gave me fits!
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Rufledt on July 06, 2012, 01:28:15 am
I always wondered if a broken bow like that could be glued back together somehow and be strong enough to be braced and hung on the wall or something.
Title: Re: My #1 bow blew up this morning.
Post by: Alaric on July 06, 2012, 11:10:55 am
I’m going to hang on to it and when I come up with a suitable piece of ash I will use it as a pattern and make a copy of it or maybe just a replacement limb.

Richard