Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: D. Tiller on September 29, 2007, 04:27:27 pm
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Well, I'm thinking of going into the bow building buisness as a side hobby. Anyone done this and have any info on how to go about it? I have gotten a lot better now with building laminate warbow designed bows and think I can market them to select buyers and will add self stave bows into the mix later. Should I do it as a custom buisness or just have a back stock of bows built? Any help or knowledge on doing this will be apreciated!
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Building a business is a personal decision. Beware the liability. I would hate to see someone loose and eye to a broken bow and come after you for $1,000,000,000. :P Justin
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I think it would be a bit difficult to sue me for something like that. I will have them sign a waver/guarantee when they puchase with an understanding that they take responsibility for any consequences. Its all boilerplate and I own one buisness already so I'm insured too under its plan. First ones will be stictly English Longbow and warbow designs and then I will bring out Holmalgaards. Dont want to do to many varieties but be very very good with the two or three I make.
David T
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I would consider starting small, custom order only to start that way you can build them specific to the customer. Another possibility is offering kit bows.
I would be wary about investing to much too soon. Also don't burn yourself out to a point ya get disgusted and lose the fun factor.
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For me, if it were to become a business it would no longer be a hobby! :)
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I think it would be a bit difficult to sue me for something like that. I will have them sign a waver/guarantee when they puchase with an understanding that they take responsibility for any consequences. Its all boilerplate and I own one buisness already so I'm insured too under its plan.
David T
You don't have to be wrong to be sued. With all the lawsuits by people who were tresspassing, I don't know how well a waiver would help. Make sure you have a personal umbrella policy or a policy for this business. Justin
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Yep! I know what ya mean about burn out. My soap buisness kinda went that way and I'm really burned out on it. But still love it better than working for someone else.
I am pretty much staying away from kits. I want to make only special hand made bows for people who are looking for handmade unique items. Probably most of my bows will be laminates of two to three woods but I will also be doing some staves too.
Dont worry about burn out! I dont plan on being tied to the buisness but just doing it as a side thing. If I get well known I will start a waiting list. Also planning on having a small back stock of built bows that people can choose from too.
Weird thing is I keep learning new tricks and faster more efficient ways of building these bows with hand tools. I built a bow for a friend the other day and then learned another trick that makes it even easier and a better to built bow.
Also, I'm thinking the standard bows will be built with hickory as a backing and then othe woods for the middle and belly woods and eliminate the horn for bows under 65# since hickory is such a tough bow wood. Then adding a hardwood such as Ipe, purple heart, or bubbinga as tip overlays from 65# - 90# bows. Then when weights go higher for warbows using only horn nocks.
Now I just need to find hickory backings that can stand weights up to and above 100#'s. Can someone IM me on people they know who have these in supply I can order often from?
Cant wait to get started!
David T
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My first stop would be to an attorney. Get it straight from the legal communities mouth, they will be able to tell you what you can be sued for and what not. Considering some of the stupid law suits you read about in the news I would want legal advice before I go public.
VB
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No problem! I will check out all the angles first.
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David,What few bows I have sold or traded was kinda fun.The ones that somebody wanted to their spec's were a pain in the a$$.If you have a real job and you have to get a bow finished for somebody that is paying you,you have to work on it whether you are tired or want to go hunting instead.
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david a hickory backing that will make a 50# bow will not be under any more stress than a 100# bow. I do have a source for hickory backings at $7.00 each non sanded. I buy about 100 at a time, be more expensive if you buy less. probably best to buy raw hickory and saw it up yourself if you can. I would like a primitive arhery related business but want to keep bow making fun. My idea a a coffee shop with a patio for bow making and I sell tools, books supplies, coffee and snacks. Steve
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Now that is a hell of an idear Badger ;D When's it open ;)
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Perhaps not just a coffee shop, you could employ several other (willingly of course) and throw in knapping, butchering, heck I just read someone's post on making clay pots the old-way, some venison jerky and coffee while flint knapping, the whole kit and kaboodle.
And, let me know when it opens :) I'll gladly be the first customer!! ;D
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Beleg, that is kind of what i had in mind, I wanted the decor of the coffee shop interior to be well decorated, warm and cozy all that stuff but also be almost like a walking history lesson. Bows decorating the walls mostly replicas, with a history lesson next to each one. The idea wpuld be just to sit out on the patio and be making bows, as others observed hopefully they would join in. Have personnal lockers large enough for a few staves and a tool kit for a very small monthly fee. Good music and the smell of fresh pastry permeating the air at all times. Would have to be inviting to the opposite sex as well and a good social climate. The extended version of this is a bed and breakfast on some acreage with a 3 d course and a bow making shed. Fish pond, garden, and lots of things for the wives to do such as quilting, canning, candle making etc. For this one I wanted to include the locals, kind of provide them with a hangout while thery inatvertantly help to entertain the guests.
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That sounds like a great idea, Badger :) If I had either the time, the expertise, the money, the know-how, etc. I'd look into starting something like this up myself. But, I'm broke, I haven't even made my tillering tree for my first bow yet, never started my own business, nor have I canned, quilted or made candles...just think of me as the guy in the background cheering on the hero...he never really does anything just makes a lot of noise :P
All joking aside--this sounds like a great idea and I'd be happy to volunteer some time and/or effort if needs be :)
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Myself and some of the other guys have thrown the idea around and the whole idea is to make a very affordable vacation destination for those interested in primitive skills, primarily archery related. I know when I was married and the kids were growing up we were always on the look out for things we could do on vacations. The bottom line was to feel relaxed, provide the kids with some new memorable experinces, give the wife something she would enjoy without cleaning up the campsight and cooking all the time. A mild climate like we have here in Ca and all year long would be pleaseant. Steve
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Hmmm! Good point Steve. I think I will make up a bunch of standard bows with draw lengths from 25 - 32" long for the English longbows and warbow and varying weights and then sell them at events arround area like SCA events or other archery related places. But also take custom orders too for that special purchase at events for customers who wants something built just for them. ;D If I get to many orders I will just put them on the waiting list.
Just need to buy a table saw then and I should be ready to go. Think I know of a couple hardwood lumber yards that have some good hickory in the area. Just need to get down to them. Anyone know what make and type of table saw I should be looking for? How about saw blade?
David T
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Sounds like fun. Let me know how it goes.
Paul
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I sell several bows a year but I wouldn't call it a business, more of a hobby. I don't think there's much of a market for heavy draw weight bows like your talking about. Most of the bows I sell are 45 to 55#@28" But good luck if you decide to go for it. :)
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No worries! Most of the bows I will be building will be in the 45-50# range with some lower and some higher in draw weights. I will only make the really heavy ones on demand. Cant wait for things to settle down arround here so I can get started.
Decided the inner laminate will no longer be satinwood or if I include it it will be really thin. That wood takes way too much set and really slows down a laminated bow.
David T
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Hi Dave,
You should talk to Curt Brisky at: curtis.brisky@comcast.net or do a search on the web for Brisky Bows. Curt does these great bowmaking seminars at what I consider very reasonable prices. Seems like a good way to break into the business. He has bows and arrows for sale, and does 1/2 dozen students at a time to each create a bow in a weekend. He has the staves roughed out and seasoned, and enough benches for everyone. So I guess it's really a tillering class. Not only do you get to make your own bow, but you get to hear his advice on tillering the others. I tried to stay a step behind everyone else, and let them make some of the mistakes!
A few of his friends also stop by for the fun and help out. One guy was even making all our strings for us. As a bonus, Curt is not too far away - he is in Ferndale. Whidbey Island is beautiful! I'll sign up for your first class!
Keith
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Hi, I seem to remember reading that there is an excise tax on the commercial manufactoring of archery equipment. You should look into the current regulations and be sure to pay the necessary fee(s), so the feds don't come knocking on your door.
Ron
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I will check it out! No problem. Since I already have one buisness whats a few more taxes, eh? :-[
David T
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Have you considered a line of no scent hunting soaps and/or detegerents?
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I will check it out! No problem. Since I already have one buisness whats a few more taxes, eh? :-[
David T :D :D :D :D Surprise, surprise.............bob
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If you are passionate about it, do it. Even master bowyers like John Strunk only sell a couple of bows a month, so don't expect a lot of business, but do expect to have a lot of fun and make some great friends along the way.
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Hello D. Tiller,
I think thats a great idea,would help a lot to keep the hobby going if you get some cash from it. ;D Yeah your idea of a combination of sell on request and stock pre-made bows sounds good. I have already started getting ready for this myself to save some bucks up for college and for plane tickets. As they said, even if its just a few bows a month, that still some good money if your selling for $200+ Are you going to sell locally or on the net? Since no one here is really interested in archery except for some hunters in the military that come to the range, I plan on selling in mainland Japan on the net either by e bay (don't really want to use e bay but...) or if my computer teacher is still here, I will make an online website. Sticking with just a few designs sounds good, then when you master them adding more styles shouldn't be too much of a problem.. Have fun!!! :)
-Alex
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Thanks guys! Yep, looking forward to working on the bows. Untill my buisness partner gets through surgery its on hold for now. But will be looking to work on it in the near future.
Now, cool item I just found out, Do not use a center lam of satinwood arround a 1/4" thick in your bows. Turns out this wood sucks in both compresion and tension. Will cause the bow to take an immediate set of almost two inches. Bummer for me! Made a couple bows this way and they shoot ok but took too much set right off the tillering board. From now on only Hickory for a backing and a hardwood belly. I'm now working with Hickory/sallepe combo and will let ya all know how it comes out!
David T