Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jesse on December 03, 2007, 04:09:06 pm

Title: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Jesse on December 03, 2007, 04:09:06 pm
The first pic is my first bow. Its a hickory selfbow. I started it about 4 1/2 years ago as you can see tiller was not good and the handle was too fat the fades are too massive the bow is too long and it had a lot of propeler twist. Despite all that it still flung an arrow ok but a little wimpy. I decided to cut it shorter down to 62" Im not sure how it will turn out but instead of backing it to get power and performance up. I  put  ipe on the belly. I dont se why it wont work but maybe you guys know better. I have not retillered it yet. I glued it in R/D form and was able to force out the twist in the process. It is still in raw form right now but its starting to look like it might be a real fast bow.                           Before (http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/WIbowyer/P1000712.jpg)
                                                                                             After (http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/WIbowyer/P1010686.jpg)(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/WIbowyer/P1010687.jpg)(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/WIbowyer/P1010683.jpg)
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: medicinewheel on December 03, 2007, 04:34:21 pm

looks to me as if you are on the right way!
good luck with that rebuild!
frank

ps: i just put 1/16" of ipe on the belly of a bamboo-backed cherry bow, which turned a 40some pounds bow into a 60some pounds bow...  :o
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Jesse on December 03, 2007, 04:47:40 pm
good to know. my only fear is that the hickory will fail but I dont know. I will find out soon enough.
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: 1/2primitive on December 03, 2007, 07:27:47 pm
Personally, I think the only thing I would be worried about is the glue, as my glue lines are terrible when I try gluing stuff together....but as you've got it glued well, I don't think there should be a problem.
    Sean
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: DanaM on December 03, 2007, 07:29:38 pm
Interesting solution, can't wait to see how it turns out.
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: mullet on December 03, 2007, 09:38:56 pm
   That's a nice improvement,I've been looking at some of my first ones too.
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: medicinewheel on December 04, 2007, 12:02:16 am

as sean says: as long as the glueline is good - no problem!
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Pat B on December 04, 2007, 12:19:33 am
I "FIXED" 2 boo backed bows(one was yew, the other hickory) by adding an osage belly lam and both worked out to be good shooters. Most woods are weaker in compression so that is where they usually loose their zip. By adding a good compression strong wood, like ipe, you negate the old belly. If your hickory is sound and has the correct grain configuration(not all that necessary in my opinion), you should not have problems with the backing.
   Nice save. Looking forward to the results.    ;)   Pat
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Jesse on December 04, 2007, 01:28:23 am
Thanks. I grooved both mating surfaces and degreased well so I have confidence in the glue joint. The hickory is a log stave with only the bark removed and no knots so I think it will be fine that way but it is a lot thicker than the ipe.  Would this be considered a hickory backed ipe? Doesnt seem right since it was a hickory bow that I  put ipe on the belly but I guess thats what it would be. Well call it what you want its just 2 pieces of wood glued together for now ;D I still have to build something to pull it back since I am on a 30# lifting restriction for 3 weeks from surgery.
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Pappy on December 04, 2007, 01:09:51 pm
Nice fix,hope it turns out good for you.I would say the Hickory should hold it is some tuff stuff.
Don't know about Ipe. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Jesse on January 02, 2008, 01:32:39 pm
Hard to believe its the same bow. Its at about 50# here and getting close to full draw. It is very fast now. I cant believe how thin the ipe got. This bow is now a lot! lighter and at least twice as fast. A little tinkering with the tiller and a finish and Im done. Well I guess you dont have to back a bow you can belly it if you want ;D
                                                           


(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/WIbowyer/P1010758.jpg)
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: PK on January 02, 2008, 01:49:27 pm
Looks like a survivor dude, Nice recovery.
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Wulamoc on January 02, 2008, 03:13:36 pm
Nice job!  I suggest you call it "Reincarnation"! ;D
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: DanaM on January 02, 2008, 03:31:59 pm
Way to go Jesse, You healing up yet?
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Jesse on January 02, 2008, 03:38:03 pm
Thanks guys
 Yes Dana thanks for asking. Im all back to normal again. It feels good to pull back a bow again.
  Good suggestion Wulamoc I think that will be the name.                                                          Jesse
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: 1/2primitive on January 02, 2008, 04:43:57 pm
Very nice! purty looking tiller, and a good save.
     Sean
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Gordon on January 02, 2008, 08:24:59 pm
Much improved!
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: venisonburger on January 02, 2008, 10:10:42 pm
Thats a neat idea, I may have to try that sometime, looks like an improved version.
VB
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Rich Saffold on January 04, 2008, 05:10:00 pm
Jesse ;D  I bet that's shooting faster. Nice work on the glue job.  I remember guys many years ago trying this and they didn't get near the results you obviously got. And probably why I though it wouldn't work well. Makes me think a bit differently about what to try next!

Rich-"thinking out of the box lets you see farther"
Title: Re: fixing first bow pics.
Post by: Jesse on January 04, 2008, 06:14:47 pm
Thanks guys I have it finished now and Im putting a nice dark stain on it so I will post pics of the final result. I put a couple dozen arrows through it and its nice and fast. The only thing I dont care for is that it stacks right at my full draw which is not really a problem but someone with a little longer draw wouldn't be able to use it.
Makes me think a bit differently about what to try next!
I think I know what Im gonna try next ;)
          Jesse