Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: markinengland on September 15, 2007, 07:50:59 pm
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Right now I'm working on a simple little self bamboo bow. Only about 56" long and 2" wide at the "handle". I have heat treated or tempered the belly (the outer surface of the bamboo) and induced some 4 inches of reflex. I am still in the tillering phase but I'm impressed with the basic power. I reckon I may end up with 55lbs at between 26 to 28 inches of draw. I'll see if I can take and show some pics tomorrow.
I've made a string and can't wait to shoot it!
Mark in England
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Can't wait for pic's.
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ARGH! I've been going out of my mind to find some bamboo in England large enough to use as backing. Where did you get it?
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Looking forward to this bow, Mark. I've thought for a long time about an all boo bow. Hurry with the pics. ;D Pat
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Sounds good ,love to see the pictures.
Pappy
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I got waylaid by house husband chores on Sunday. Dashing around getting things in shape for the return of the wife. My and my three sons seems to make a lot of mess in very little time. We did have a good barby, cards, roulette and drnking game the night before though.
I'll take some flash photgraphy pics tonight and download them.
The bow still needs a lot of tillering on one limb (the thicker limb).
Harrifer, I got my bamboo from Bamboom. I got some very nice large bamboo poles from them for a reasonable price. I picked up a whole load and shared it with some bow making friends. Bamboom can be found at Bamboom, Pondwood Farm, Pondwood Lane, White Waltham, Berkshire, SL6 3SS, United Kingdom T: 01189345299 E: info@bamboom.co.uk They have a minimum quantity order of three large poles.
Photos to follow.
Mark
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http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/100_0440.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/100_0439.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/100_0438.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/100_0437.jpg
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That's a very fine bow, Mark :) And, from what little I've seen quite unique as well! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
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Mark, I was just curious if you had any further plans for the handle area.
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Cool bow mark. I must try this again but this time with the rind as the belly like you did. How does it shoot? What kind of distance are you getting with this bow?
-Alex
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Wow! a "real" ;)bamboo bow ;D. Thanks for posting Mark! I'm quite sure its a very sweet shooter..Impressive cd collection too!
Rich
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Now, now Rich behave yerself hard as it may be ! >:D very nice bow Mark...............bob
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that's an interestingn project Mark. I wouldn't of thought of wide and short like that for boo. Looks great.
What kind of CDs are they? I'm a heavy rock man myself - Tool, etc.
there wouldn't be any placed to stop at on the way to Pondwood Lane where they hace some of that bitters on draft, would there? I like that.
Dave
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Nice looking project Marc. I sure would like to see more pictures. ;D Did you pre tiller it or just tiller the sides? Justin
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Gentlemen, since we're talking bamboo bows , a friend gave me a piece of bamboo flooring material , 3/4'' x6"x8'... edge grained slats glued together...seemed just right for cutting into a simple d bow.. think this might work ?
Disclaimer: Sorry!!! It is not exactly a Primitive material ::)
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It will work. I have made hickory backed boo flooring bows that came out pretty well. You could probably make a self(?) bow out of it also. Pat
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Re handle area. I think I'll try shooting it as it is. As it is an experiment I may then bind on a handle slat of about 12 inches. This may behave like an internal penobscot limb, acting as handle and centre stiffener. It may also allow me to narrow the handle area to get a bit more centre shot. I think this could be quite a good bow to make in a bow making workshop. A bit of work but not too much and some basic tillering on one limb to get a nice little shooting bow.
I haven't shot this bow yet. Still a fair amount of work to do tillering wise. I like the feel of the flexible limbs though and just know it will be fun to shoot. I may cut some of my Jap Arrow bamboo for some light long arrows.
Dave, you may be dissappointed in the CDs. A very motly collection, even if there are lots of them! We have good beer all over so if you ever want to pop in for some real beer you would be very welcome. A real ale/cider pub with everthing on the pumps would be an experience!
Tillering so far has been sides and back! It feels odd to be tillering on the back, but what else cna you do to keep the rind untouched on the belly?
A good bit of this is based on a Butanese bow I ws told about by Tim on paloeplanet. Here are some pics.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/primitive%20bows/bamboobow3.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/primitive%20bows/bamboobow2.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/primitive%20bows/bamboobow1.jpg
If the "billets" are taken from right next to each other and the basic width taper is the same they should be almost self tillering. They are nailed to each other, though being a western craftsman I will use a hammer rather than pliers to knock the nail in with! After nailing (to stop the slats from sliding) they are bound together. The bow is heat treated, apparently quite scorched I think. The inner surface of the bamboo is the back. They creak a bit when used but apparently shoot well. A Butanese local team beat a group of US guys with modern wooden bows and arrows. The full Butanese bow will be my next bamboo bow.
Mark
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That's very interesting! thanks for posting the pic's.
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Mark,If the inner surface is the back.Are the Nodes ground so you have a smooth surface to mate to the belly piece?
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Mullet,
No, I have left the belly untouched. I was thinking that a thick piece of bamboo orientated the same way would have about the same curve so snuggle in quite tight or at least enough to support and stiffen the centre. Haven't tried it of course so it may not work ;D
Mark
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Wow!!! What a great take-down bow....
Thanks Pat, I'll try it out...