Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bitterguy on March 19, 2013, 09:24:37 am

Title: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Bitterguy on March 19, 2013, 09:24:37 am

I saw a post on here a bit ack and I cant seem to find it. It was a bow but he had made it sow the the belly was concave as in if you looked towards the handle with the tip on your eye, belly facing up the belly wouldn look like an upward facing C. I might be getting out of my skill set but I was just wondering ou o fcurosity how this would be achieved and tillered. My cabinet scraper has a rounded end, would it be possible to remove it like that? How would I keep the draw weight up with such an odd shaped belly?

As always,
thanks in advance

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 19, 2013, 09:38:53 am

Thats usually a result of a sapling bow having the inside pith removed leaving a belly as you mentioned. Simon posted an elm bow like that a bit ago.

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Bitterguy on March 19, 2013, 09:45:00 am

Ah thats who made it it was this post that i saw for anyone who doesnt know what im talking about http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,38380.msg509557.html#msg509557 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,38380.msg509557.html#msg509557).

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Joec123able on March 19, 2013, 10:24:17 am

Hmm a concave belly it seems like that would put all of the compression force on the edges of the limbs ?

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Pappy on March 19, 2013, 10:45:40 am

It would need to have a high radius/crown back I would think or you would be right Joec.  :)
  Pappy

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Del the cat on March 19, 2013, 10:55:29 am

Eat less and do 20 sit ups every night and morning >:D
But seriously, I'd prob' grind an old spokeshave blade to a curve and the gradually adjsut the depth of cut as you work it down.
Del
(Sorry, couldn't resist :-[ )

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: simson on March 19, 2013, 04:40:01 pm

the link above shows one of my hollow limb bows. In this thread are shown the tools I have used for it. You have to do a lot of measurements with a caliper or something selfmade instrument. Be sure to use wood that can withstand the hard pressure on bellyside. I have shot this golden chain tree bow in the last days extensivly and it shows no chrysal :)

Don't hesitate if you have further questions

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Bitterguy on March 19, 2013, 05:54:10 pm

What woods would be good for that? For people who don't know and cus Ima newbie

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: simson on March 19, 2013, 06:10:55 pm

I have made successfull bows out of osage, elm, juniper, euonymus, golden chain tree and some others.
Hope you get your hands on one of these ...
Let us see what you are doing, I'm very interested in this design - I believe there is lot of potential

Title: Re: How to make a concave belly?
Post by: Bitterguy on March 19, 2013, 06:32:23 pm

Right now I'm havin pearl help me through my first red oak board bow in this thread http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,37695.msg512538.html#msg512538 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,37695.msg512538.html#msg512538) after which if its warm enough rps3 said he'll give me a hickory stave and show me how to pick/ cut saplings. I plan to use that hickory for my dads birthday bow so i dont want to take a chance and mess it up, I was planning on maybe the bow after that one trying a hollow belly. Once the leaves get blooming i'll call up some state parks and see the laws about taking down trees and seeing what sort of wood i can get