Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gsulfridge on March 09, 2014, 09:18:41 pm
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Hey guys. I've looked at some really nice short, bendy handled bows lately and have decided to try my own. I had a 50 1/2" Osage stave with some natural reflex that will be my victim. It took 3 heat sessions to to get the curves and twist out of it. I plan to get it near complete at the Moontree gathering in 3 weeks. Hopefully someone there will have the patience to teach me the ins n outs of short, bendy bows. I'lll keep ya posted. :)
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/20140309_193648_zpsvtdkvbii.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140309_193648_zpsvtdkvbii.jpg.html)
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/20140309_193654_zpsfkz0tgwn.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140309_193654_zpsfkz0tgwn.jpg.html)
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8) Can't wait....................... :)
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You could pull it into a little more reflex when you sinew back it.
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Looks good, how wide is it?
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Its 1 1/2" wide to mid limb, tapering to 3/8". It will be sinew backed and skinned if all goes well. I'm hoping to get 50 lbs at as near 26" as I can get. My goals may change as I get it nearer to complete. We'll see how it goes.
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Wow it's already pretty thin you could have that shooting in a day I wouldn't have the patience to wait three weeks lol
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you should get 50# out of that spaghetti bow easy. :)
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Its 1/2" thick coming out of the fades and tapers to 3/8" at the nocks. I barely can budge it on the floor. I'm not worried too much about the weight, but getting my draw length out of it. Wish me luck!
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Looks like a good candidate Greg! Can't wait to see progress at Moontree
Tracy
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Greg this is just a suggestion. I firmly believe in a guy doing what he wants to do. If you plan on sinew I would narrow it a little. At 1 1/2" wide it will get pretty thin in the limbs at 50#. You may also think about flipping the tips some because the string angle will be kinda extreme at 26" of draw. Now get after it man!
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I plan on flipping the tips. Thanks for the advice. Lord knows I can use it! I've got a lot to learn. I need to cut out another jig for flipping tips on this one. My other puts too much "hook" in for this short of a bow.
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Nice start Greg. I see a winner in that stick of osage!
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Looks like a perfect candidate. Can't wait to see the progress.
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Hopefully I can get it floor tillered and ready for sinew by the time Moontree rolls around. If, and that's a big if, things progress faster than that, I will go ahead and sinew it before then and try out a nice Red Tail Boa skin on it. However, if things go at a normal pace, I hope to have it complete by the time the Classic is over. I'm excited about it. May try to stick a spring gobbler with it if it turns out.
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Its looking cool so far! I second the motion to flip the tips for string angle. I also agree that it would be good to narrow it some. 1 1/4" wide with sinew is plenty. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on it. Josh
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I thinned the width just a bit last night and roughed out the handle profile. Also got one limb bending a little. I plan to continue on it tonight. I did notice some linear cracks in the back, I am assuming that came from heating the curves and twist out of it. I don't think they will be an issue. I layed the Loc-Tite to them. Sorry, no pics.
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(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/20140318_204638_zpsm0grmdxo.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140318_204638_zpsm0grmdxo.jpg.html)
Update
I thinned the width to 1 1/4" and heated and flipped the tips a little. Got it to rough floor tiller. Had to heat out some twist again also. This thing has been fighting me every step of the way, but so far, I've won every round. Hope to have it ready for sinew in a week (Moontree).
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That's looking good,the cracks shouldn't cause a problem as long as they don't run off,they do that sometimes when heated especially if not seasoned and will sometime do it even if they are. :)
Pappy
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Looking good Greg
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The waves in the grain will certainly be a test of my rookie tillering skills. My scraper is itching for a fight! :)
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I like it. Those whopty do's look great!
Jawge
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Good looking profile there. Should make a very nice one :). Keep us posted.
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Cool, can't wait to see it progress! But didn't you say bendy handle bow? It looks like there is some handle thickness in that pic.
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Yes sir. Good eye. The handle will be blended in shortly. It is a little narrower than the limbs and may end up a shade thicker. It should look different when I'm done with it. I hope to have it near brace tonight, so the extra wood in the handle should disappear. Taking it slow, plus don't have a lot of time between work and coaching two baseball teams.
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That's shaping up nicely...hope to see in person at Moon Tree.
DBar
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Got it to low brace last night. The handle area is blended in and only slightly thicker than the fade area. Man o man, tillering is giving me a fit. The whoopty-do waves in the grain is a little troublesome, but it is progressing. Been getting some good advice and encouragement from a chicken eater up in IndyAnna. Thanks buddy!! :laugh:
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Just keep and eye on the top of the limbs,them woops will fool you into thinking they are flat spots and look at both sides often, the gismo don't help much on them kind of limbe. ;) :)also don't get the handle to thin and bending to much at the start,at least I don't,get it bending closer to full draw.Can't wait to see her braced. :)
Pappy
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Pappy just gave you some real good advice on tillering.
I'm anxious to see this thing in a week or so.
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Man! That's shaping up real nice! Josh
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Good info Pappy. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. The gizmo didn't even make it out of the toolbox. I read somewhere that you could stand back and sort of unfocus your eyes and just take in the general shape of the limbs instead of looking intently at the bend. That should be easy enough to try, just take my contacts out!! :laugh:
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Slow down...your moving faster than your usual pace :laugh: ...don't forget to stop n pick up some chicken for Clint at moon tree :laugh:
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Slow down...your moving faster than your usual pace :laugh: ...don't forget to stop n pick up some chicken for Clint at moon tree :laugh:
Ha! Hopefully I will have it done soon. Kinda anxious to see what the boa skins will look like on it. Dave already has Clint a chicken sammich set up in the window fermenting. :laugh:
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Lets see some pictures of that thing bending Greg.
You are going to miss out on all the fun this year BH. And you are going to miss out on the little something special I'm bringing (http://rabbittalk.com/images/smilies/chicken-87.gif)
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Are you doing the sinew at moontree? Can't wait to see it next week
Tracy
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I hope to sinew it at Moon Tree if I have it ready. I wont get much time until this weekend to work on it. It's got me worried to be honest. :-\
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That darn Clint reminded us again, of the surprise, what do you think of that Greg? And he won't let us guess... :(
DBar
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I've only made 2 bend in the handle bows and so far they are IMO the best performers I've made. I used to Hate bendy handle bows. Even we old dogs have the opportunity to change our minds from time to time though we have to eat some crow when we finally accept it.
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I used to Hate bendy handle bows. Even we old dogs have the opportunity to change our minds from time to time though we have to eat some crow when we finally accept it.
I'm learning Fred, it comes with age. ;) :)
DBar
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Looks like your getting that one in good shape Greg. A sinew backed osage bendy at that length with the flipped tips could be a real good shooter I bet.
I've been working on a osage bendy for a few weeks and will be shooting it in this weekend. Unbacked but with some of the woop de doos, twist, knots and side bends issues that are frustrating to try to work thru. Helped me to work on it just a little bit each day then take it home and just look at it quite a bit each night. I have a bad habit of getting an area to thin on one edge or the other and not noticing until the damage is done. If I examine it often at a time when I know I don't have a scraper handy it gives me time to think before I rush ahead and make a mistake. :)
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I have a bad habit of getting an area to thin on one edge or the other and not noticing until the damage is done. If I examine it often at a time when I know I don't have a scraper handy it gives me time to think before I rush ahead and make a mistake. :)
Great advice Greg. I have that same problem
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One issue with this one is that the humps seem to switch sides as they go up the limb. I had to break out the calipers and keep a check on both sides. Just don't trust my fingers when gauging thickness on this one. I worked on this a few minutes last night, and have it to full brace, but have work to do before I go any farther. The outer third of my bottom limb just wont bend! I scraped and scraped on it. Just have to be patient and try not to end up with a kid's bow. I'll post pics when I get it evened out at brace.
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(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/20140322_112632_zpsowiq6r10.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140322_112632_zpsowiq6r10.jpg.html)
URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140322_151408_zpsrvzqd1tw.jpg.html](http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/20140322_151408_zpsrvzqd1tw.jpg)[/URL]
Here's the latest photos. Finally got it to brace and the bottom limb kept giving me grief. Late yesterday I got it bending enough to go ahead and apply the sinew. Now, we wait. . . .
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I know it needs more work in the handle area (still stiff) and some minor tweaking on the limbs. I can't capture in photos all the waves, humps and bumps to show areas that are bending and dont look like in pics. Open to any and all suggestions and criticisms.
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Loogin good man! We'll have to see how it looks after the sinew dries but here some observations. Looks like the handle area and above it 4 inches are stiff, but not below it. The mid to outter lower limb could bend a bit more. Now the hard part, the waiting...
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Looking good Greg, make sure you put plenty of reflex in it when you sinew it.
DBar
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Oh yeah. Ive got it reverse braced on a tillering stick. OO suggested that. He has been a big help.
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That's good, I'm sure OO is providing some very good advise. I'm bring my first sinew back to Moon Tree, maybe I'll have time to skin it that weekend, and update my post, it's been a while, but I have been shooting it a lot.... :)
DBar
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Looks like you are coming along,did you get the sinew on it this passed weekend ?
Pappy
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Yes Pappy, I put it on Saturday evening. I have it inside, reverse braced. The sinew was put on in one thick layer and squeezed down several times with inner tube and low heat to get the excess glue out. Now we wait. How many days, weeks, or months is it likely to take for the sinew to dry?
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6-8 weeks is ample if the humidity is below 40%, IMO.
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Thanks, PD. Guess I wont be shooting it in at the Classic :-[ Time to start on another! :)
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You could. Got an extra dry place to stash it? A fan gently blowing helps to. Even after that nice long, informative thread I started on curing sinew? I still haint sold on waiting half a life time! Maybe if it was a horn composite.
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So there's hope! I missed that thread you mention, or at least I don't remember it.
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I've never waited over a month unless I just forgot about it. ;) :) and like Chris said I keep them in a dry place with a fan,they dry pretty quick. ;)
Pappy
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I've never waited over a month unless I just forgot about it. ;) :) and like Chris said I keep them in a dry place with a fan,they dry pretty quick. ;)
Pappy
Good deal! Maybe it will come with me to the Classic after all ;) :)
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(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140414_200456_zpsqd9p2qgf.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140414_200456_zpsqd9p2qgf.jpg.html)
Well, I started re-tillering this thing. It sure gained some weight! I've got it to near full draw again and just need a little more tweaking to get the final tiller. Still a shade stiff in the handle and needs a fuzz more outta the top fade. Now I need some skins!
Tiller advice anyone?
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](http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_110225_zpsvzszc6il.jpg)[/URL]URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_110243_zpsgf6t3kmu.jpg.html](http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_110243_zpsgf6t3kmu.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140422_183754_zps3vj5pctl.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140422_183754_zps3vj5pctl.jpg.html)
Got a little more work done. Horn overlays are glued on and the very nice WDB skin I got from some guy in Texas (Cipriano, anyone know this guy?) is glued on as well. Its starting to come together. While not up to many other bowyers' standard, it will be a milestone for me.
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Great thread and bow...I'm following this one close!
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That is looking great.
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That came out great! Nicely done. Jawge
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(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140423_053609_zpsuwaujf9y.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140423_053609_zpsuwaujf9y.jpg.html)
Got the handle wrap ready also.
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That really looks nice! Do yo think that style leather wrap will screw with your tiller at all? I like it!
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That is looking very nice, you have done a great job on it. I love the red grip on the WDB skins nice contrast.
Grady
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Looking good Greg....heck you might even have time to get it sealed up jus in time for the classic ;)
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Man that's a sweet bow!! Great job with the tips, handle wrap, and skins!
Cipriano
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That really looks nice! Do yo think that style leather wrap will screw with your tiller at all? I like it!
Thanks for the compliments. I really don't think it will affect the tiller much, if any. The leather is pretty thin.
Man that's a sweet bow!! Great job with the tips, handle wrap, and skins!
Cipriano
Hey Cip, does the leather and skins look familiar? Thanks man!Looking good Greg....heck you might even have time to get it sealed up jus in time for the classic ;)
That's the plan. Uh. . .what's best to use to seal skins with? :o
That is looking very nice, you have done a great job on it. I love the red grip on the WDB skins nice contrast.
Grady
Thanks Grady, Outlaw, and Jawge and anyone else I missed. I really owe a big thanks to Osage Outlaw, who walked me through a lot of this. Heck of a guy for a Yankee.
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Ooooh! That's purty! As far as finish goes, I've used spray poly and tru-oil to good effect. With the rough scale texture of WDB's, I would suspect that a poly dip like pearly uses would be the ticket. Although I haven't tried that method....yet anyway. Whatever you use, be sure you don't rub or wipe it against the grain of the scales. They'll stand right up on ya. Josh
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Ooooh! That's purty! As far as finish goes, I've used spray poly and tru-oil to good effect. With the rough scale texture of WDB's, I would suspect that a poly dip like pearly uses would be the ticket. Although I haven't tried that method....yet anyway. Whatever you use, be sure you don't rub or wipe it against the grain of the scales. They'll stand right up on ya. Josh
Thanks Gun Doc, if I keep hanging out and getting advise from you guys, I'll eventually learn some of this stuff. Admire your work sir.
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Greg,
That really turned out nice! Hope to see it in person in a week...
Till then,
DBar