Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: skarhand on August 15, 2013, 06:01:59 pm
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Greetings! I am new to the Primitive Archer boards, but I am really excited about trying out bow building. I have been looking for a new hobby that is not too expensive, but still has that cool factor that stamp collecting just doesn't have, lol. For a long time I did chain mail weaving, and while I enjoyed it, the repetitive motion of bending rings with the pliers really started to bother my hands. (10,000 14 gauge stainless steel rings one at a time counts as repetitive right? LOL)
Anyway, I started looking into bow-making a few weeks ago after a friend told me he was making a PVC one for his son. I had recently made a bow for my son who is 7 by cutting a small thumb thick sapling and tying a string to it. After looking at all of your guys beautiful bows and just the sheer wow factor of being able to hand craft something so neat AND useful, I have started my own bow.
I just got a 3/4" x 1.5" x 48" piece of red oak from Lowe's and have been going to town the last few evenings. I got it roughed out last night and glued the riser on. Tonight I'm going to rough out the grip and glue on my backing (fiberglass mesh Sheetrock tape I had left over, unless I can find something cooler around the house this evening).
My hope is to begin my tillering by the weekend. I have a couple starter pics, but I hope to take some more as I go along. I'd love to see any advice that you all might want to throw my way. My biggest question at this point is, are there any "Make sure you do this" before you do that type things I should know? Thanks in advance, and I can't wait to see how my first bow turns out!
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00563.jpg)
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00565.jpg)
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Welcome to the Craze......... :) ;) :) ;) :laugh: I would start out with a longer piece say around 70"
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Thanks! I plan to do a larger one next, my only reason for starting with the 48" is my son's birthday is in 2 weeks and I wanted to see if I could make it for him in time.
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Good luck and welcome. 48" would be ok for a lighter poundage for a child I'm sure
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You are wise to back it, ...especially since it will be for your kid, but there are lot's of cooler things to use instead of Fglass tape. Raw hide would be awesome, ...and comes pretty cheap if there is a pet store nearby! Just soak and unroll a large chew toy!
OneBow
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How do you glue the rawhide to it? I was just planning on gluing a couple strips of the fiberglass mesh with some of the Tight-bond II I used on the riser.
Can rawhide be glued on the same way?
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Yes. Any of the tite bonds works well with rawhid. The raw hide should be soaked in water to be plyable before gluing down. Linen or silk would work as a backing also.
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If your gonna glue on a riser I would keep draw length around 20" with red oak.
Jon
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it's only got to be about 1/4" thick for a kids bow, unless he's 10 & up, if you don't have rawhide I've backed little kids bows with cammo material, works great and they like the cammo
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Camp duct tape works ;D
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From what i can see,i dont think a backing in needed,if you dont want one.
Have a look at this thread by Rich.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,37748.0.html
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From what i can see,i dont think a backing in needed,if you dont want one.
Have a look at this thread by Rich.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,37748.0.html
First Rich is a very experienced bowyer. Second, he's using an ironwood stave not a red oak board. Third he's not building it for a kid who might abuse the bow or let some "big kid" draw it passed it's limits. Fourth, Rich is building a bend through the handle bow not a stiff handled bow with a glued on riser. I don't see how your link has anything to do with what Skarhand is trying to build.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but we are talking about a child's safe here.
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So I stopped a couple places on my way home from work last night but didn't find anything to use as backer for the $3 in my pocket, LOL. So I just decided to use the tape I already had. I got the riser roughed in and the backing glued on. Hopefully, the 24 hours I am leaving it will be enough to get me to where I can start tillering this evening.
Here is where I left it last night:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00570.jpg)
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00569.jpg)
And my inspiration (one of them, lol):
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_1375366905000.jpg)
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Somehow I missed the part about the glued on riser,the first time i read it.
As to the rest of it,sometimes,people make wway to big a deal about buildin bows on these sites.This aint rocket science guys.I think we often dont give new people near enough credit and confidence to be able to figure things out.Rich's tutorial,is pretty explanatory i thought.
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This is how I would lay it out if this helps.make sure your riser transition is smooth into the fade like I drew it or it may pop off,maybe not with a kids bow but it's a good habit to get into.good luck!
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Thanks, I will definitely work on getting the fade/riser transition good and smooth. I know I have a lot to take off once I start tillering at its still between 1/2 to 5/8 thick for the first 8-10 inches off the riser. Like was stated above that will need to be taken down to somewhere in the 1/4" - 3/8" range if I want my son to be able to pull it back, lol. I am going to shoot for #15-20 at 12-18" draw or somewhere in that range.
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at 1/4" thick 1 1/2" at the fades to 1/2" tips and you will be spot on draw weight at that draw length
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*UPDATE*
Had a great time working on this over the weekend!! Here are some pics. I am going to buy some finer sand paper and some finish tomorrow.
Any inexpensive ideas for strings? I don't really want to get anything expensive as it will probably get beat up/frayed. Preferably something I can get in a spool, LOL.
Using my precision scale (2 - 5# sacks of flower and a 5# sack of potatoes in a basket) it pulls 15# at 16 inches.
Here are some pics:
Final timbering:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00590.jpg)
Testing draw poundage:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00596.jpg)
After a bit more roughing on the handle:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00599.jpg)
Close up near completion:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00600.jpg)
Thanks for looking guys. I hope this will be my first of many!! Any final tips or critiques would be greatly appreciated.
Skar
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get a roll of b-50 bowstring material and learn the Flemish twist, it is easy to build strings
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That kind of scale is probably more accurate than what a lot of people are using. I was using a 50# fishing scale and found that 50# was closer to 40.
Don
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Could you explain to me how you get your draw weight using this method, I was trying to figure out a way to do weigh my bow with out a pull scale or something similar since I don't own one.
Thanks
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Could you explain to me how you get your draw weight using this method, I was trying to figure out a way to do weigh my bow with out a pull scale or something similar since I don't own one.
Thanks
Sure, all I did was put something that I knew the weight of (in this case 3, 5# items) in a basket and lifted it with the bowstring. Then I took a tape measure and measured how many inches the string drew back with that known weight. You could do the same with barbells, larger bags of flour, etc. Anything with a known weight.
Another question, any recommendations on how I should finish it? I am sure it is going to get banged about and I want a finish that will wear well. I was thinking linseed oil or sanding sealer/polyurethane, but I could easily be convinced to try something else, lol.
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One of the easiest ways to check draw weight is to put your tillering tree on a set of bathroom scales and pull the bow down to the draw length and see what the weight is and subtract the weight of the tree and bow. The best part of this is almost everyone has a set of bathroom scales.
Grady
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One of the easiest ways to check draw weight is to put your tillering tree on a set of bathroom scales and pull the bow down to the draw length and see what the weight is and subtract the weight of the tree and bow. The best part of this is almost everyone has a set of bathroom scales.
Grady
Got rid of our bathroom scale when we moved from CA to PA. I spent an hour look for it through boxes before my wife reminded me we had yard saled it, LOL.
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Skarhand,
Welcome to the sickness! Looks like your on your way. some ones getting a really nice bow. next youll need to make some arrows, then a quiver, then an arm guard then a release, then a bow sleeve oooo no my head hurts >:D
Knapper
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Nothing's more satisfying than making a kid's bow in my opinion. Great job - on more than just bow building!
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get a roll of b-50 bowstring material and learn the Flemish twist, it is easy to build strings
Is that something I'd need to order offline, or are there any stores that might stock it locally? Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, etc?
The only archery store in my area is about 25 miles in the opposite direction of where I live.
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you can get it online at 3 rivers or pine hollow, most of the online suppliers will have it
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get a roll of b-50 bowstring material and learn the Flemish twist, it is easy to build strings
Is that something I'd need to order offline, or are there any stores that might stock it locally? Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, etc?
The only archery store in my area is about 25 miles in the opposite direction of where I live.
Buy it offline is your best bet most local archery stores dont sell there bow string material but will sell you a pre made bowstring for what would be cheaper to buy your own material to make your own strings.
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Yea I gathered that, lol. The bow shop I called said they didn't sell it but they could make me one pretty cheap. He assured me it would be MAX $25, depending on the length, lol.
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Thanks all for the help! I am so excited about how this turned out. I can't wait to start on my next one!!
I will post some pics with full draw after I give it to him tomorrow for his Birthday.
I spray painted painted the sheetrock tape backing black and used spray on glossy polyurethane for the rest.
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00607.jpg)
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/DSC00604.jpg)
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Looks good man! Can't wait to start mine...
Joe
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Nice job skarhand, welcome to the addiction
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Looks good. I just love to see kids with a bow in they're hands. :D
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get a roll of b-50 bowstring material and learn the Flemish twist, it is easy to build strings
Is that something I'd need to order offline, or are there any stores that might stock it locally? Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, etc?
The only archery store in my area is about 25 miles in the opposite direction of where I live.
I have to disagree, you can get a spool of b-50 for like $10.00, that will make a bunch of strings, $25.00 is quite a bit for a bow string
Buy it offline is your best bet most local archery stores dont sell there bow string material but will sell you a pre made bowstring for what would be cheaper to buy your own material to make your own strings.
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I am sending you a private message with my phone number. Feel free to text me with your address so I can whip up a string for you. $25 for a bow string????? You can get a coupla spools of B-50 for that!!!
Grrrr. Just send me your address by text message and I will stuff a string in an envelope for the kid.
$25? Sheesh, two bits worth of material and 10 minutes shop time. For cripes sakes, this ain't rocket surgery!
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For the love of all that's holy, please don't give those crooks $25 for a bow string!! :-\
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LOL, thanks. I didn't plan on it...that is more then double the amount I spent on the whole bow. :)
I had just planned on using a temp poly twine string I made till I could order some B-50 and figure out how to start making my own. Nate will be very happy to have a cooler bow string then the brown twine I'm using, LOL.
Thanks again!
Skar
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Beautiful job! ;) 8) someone is addicted, someone is addicted...... ;D ;D ;D ;D 8)
Take J.W up on his offer. ;) You will be better off with it. ;) Once you learn to make your own strings, you can call those $#$#@!#s up and tell them you will sell them strings for $15 apiece, and they can make a tidy ten dollars profit! Sheesh!!!! Better tell your wife to have another set of pants for him when he opens this present up! Ok, like they said, now on to the fun part of arrow making! That is something you can get your Son into with you, as you ease him into bow building. Maybe even one for your Wife, so you can all have a family shoot, on the weekends. Now a subscription for him, and a web name, and he can access all the sites, and see all the unbelievable talent on here. Get him addicted to primitive archery also. And you won't have to worry about him..... Hey, kid, look, what I have, you can see visions with these, ....."Nah, I have to get home, I have an Osage stave waiting to be shaved." A what.... ? But you can get really high with this.....and I will give you a new customer discount......Nah, apparently you haven't ever built a bow, smelled the wood shavings, see the graceful bend, feel wood, and see the vision of the bow, that the stave will be....... Huh? Sheesh, kid, what are you addicted to?! Osage, yew, Juniper, Mulberry, Black locust, White Oak, Red Oak, ironwood, Hackberry,Hop Hornbeam,etc. What the? Hey Nate wait up, I want to watch you work on your bow, maybe you can teach me too......Hey Kids get outta here, you're bad for business! ....... ;) ;D P.S We want pictures of him opening it up, and a full draw, and him shooting it!
Wayne
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-snip-
P.S We want pictures of him opening it up, and a full draw, and him shooting it!
Wayne
As requested.
Opening:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_1375644707000.jpg)
Holding:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_13756448240001.jpg)
Lessons in the front yard:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_13756450350001.jpg)
Getting the hang of it:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_1375645211000.jpg)
He can't quite do a full draw yet, but after shooting for only 20 minutes he can pull it back 3 inches further then when he started. I think its more of a learning thing than a strength issue. A few days/weeks of practicing 5 hours a day and he'll be at a full cheek draw. :)
I am by no means a bow expert but I taught JOAD in CA for 3 years and I still remember some on my stuff from there, LOL.
BTW, Nate and I are going wood shopping tomorrow so I can make me one next. :) This time I'll make him do some of the sanding, lol.
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Opening:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_1375644707000.jpg)
Holding:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_13756448240001.jpg
Lessons in the front yard:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_13756450350001.jpg
Getting the hang of it:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/skarhand/KINDLE_CAMERA_1375645211000.jpg
Addict
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Looks like the kid grinned so hard he busted a tooth! But it's always worth seeing.
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The look on his face is priceless, that is one happy kid. The bow looks great, you did a fine job.
Grady
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OK, I guess he likes it! ;) ;D All that work, suddenly doesn't seem like work after all. ;)
Thanks for the pictures. ;) Good job, and a very happy Birthday Boy! J.W. , I think he might have busted that tooth, trying to open the package! ;)
Wayne.
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Now that is a great picture, makes me smile too. Hope and your son get many years of enjoyment from your new addictions!