Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PK on December 29, 2007, 02:41:37 am

Title: Handle
Post by: PK on December 29, 2007, 02:41:37 am
Any sugestions on how I should proceed with the handle of this Hickory. The last Bow was an x bow, this time a cutout. I would like to add some recurve but I think I will leave out the deflex? I promise I won't deleat the post this time, Its not E-mail ::)

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Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Ryano on December 29, 2007, 10:02:57 am
I never shape my handle untill the bow is fully tillerd to draw weight, this way you can pick which limb is better suited to be the botom limb, and find the best point for the arrow to pass.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Justin Snyder on December 29, 2007, 11:19:37 am
Ryan is so right on that, next time tiller first so that if one limb wants to be stringer or weaker you can turn the bow over to get it on the appropriate side, top/bottom.  Sometimes you will also discover that the string lies to one side when you are finished, so you don't have to cut the shelf as deep if that side is the arrow pass. But since it is started, I would reduce some of the wood on both sides and on the belly of the handle so that it is comefortable to put the web of your hand around with your index finger on one side and your thumb on the other. I like to leave the palm of the handle a little higher so it puts presssure on the hand while in a relaxed state with the arm extended. Justin
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 29, 2007, 02:46:32 pm
See I told ya I needed to learn more, sounds like an exelent and logical way to proceed . Sanding the back to the Next ring  is a good advice given to me.
I read so Much But gotta see the experienced do thier work to be sure. Thanks, PK
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Justin Snyder on December 29, 2007, 06:13:00 pm
Read Gordons build along.  It will take you through it step by step. Justin
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 29, 2007, 07:35:39 pm
well I sanded down to the next ring Lost about 20# But still got to back it. Gordons BA is really informative .
 Bow is 70" Right Now But Iam cutting down to 68 or 66 to add more # So far 40 @ 28 still (need to unstiff the mid limbs) and add the backing backing. Still unorthidox with my technique like to try 5 or more way to do something Thats why I'm asking for your expertise. off to tiller the rest of the day.

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Title: Re: Handle
Post by: DanaM on December 29, 2007, 08:33:41 pm
She's bending to much at the fades get the middle of each limb bending a bit more.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Pat B on December 30, 2007, 04:36:06 pm
What Dana said. Leave the fade area alone now and work more at mid limb.  You have enough length to remove a few inches from each limb tip and get your weight up. 66" ought to be plenty long.     Pat
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 30, 2007, 06:35:15 pm
I tried to deflex but it came out on the tree.
So I added  Static and the tiller is pretty much done.
I put the 2 layers of silk on the back.
About 40# @ @27 66" nok to nok
A cresent wrench works pretty good as a guage.
now I can work on the tip over lays, then the handle,Then check For allignment?

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Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Pat B on December 30, 2007, 06:39:04 pm
Very graceful.     Pat
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Justin Snyder on December 30, 2007, 07:43:45 pm
Looks pretty good, you should be proud.  Justin
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 31, 2007, 12:46:10 am
Well it took me all day to get this far, I am proud that I get to learn something new every Day
So far it seems to be just under40# @28 Cand tell my scale is cheezy. I will try the floor scale when I get the thin Finished.
Now to the Handle the the finishing.
Oh one more thing Ive Notice that every board Bow that I make with the rings --------------- always seem to have more Set than the Side cut that are////////////// Not that much angle ,ya know what I mean.
                                                                                                                ------------
                                                                                                                 ---------

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Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Pat B on December 31, 2007, 12:54:06 am
Flat grain seem to take more set than biased grain for me too. I guess there is more resistance in the edge grain than the flat.    Pat
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: DanaM on December 31, 2007, 08:45:10 am
She looks nice Phil
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Marc St Louis on December 31, 2007, 09:21:01 am
You did a fine job on that bow. I would not recommend chiselling the handle out like that though. Splits in the wood could be started that could compromise the bow.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: GregB on December 31, 2007, 11:52:50 am
The tiller looks really nice! I totally agree with Ryan and Justin's comments about waiting to shape the handle after tiller is complete.

I personally like to use a large round rasp to do the bulk of my shaping of the handle area where your hand will be. I like to do this work while holding the bow on my lap so that I can rotate the bow while rasping. This allows me to shape the handle with emphasis on comfort. I'll continually grip the bow as if to shoot during this process until I've shaped the handle to my liking. The last couple of bows I've made have finger grooves to improve the feel of the bow in my hand. I place my handle on the grip while still fat, and with a pencil trace the outline and angle of my fingers. Using a round rasp I remove wood where my finger will rest leaving "ridges" between my fingers. The grip will cover this finger groove area, but will retain the "feel". ;)

If cutting a shelf in the bow, I like the shelf to be radiused up to reduce the surface contact against the arrow. I also glue on a small half round shaped piece of thick leather mounted to the shelf which is what the arrow will actually rest on. I saturate this piece of leather in super glue which hardens it and allows for further shaping after gluing to the shelf if necessary. I slightly slope the top quadrant of this piece of leather that the arrow will rest on towards the bow to "encourage" the arrow to stay on the shelf and not be as likely to drop off while drawing the bow or when hunting. Hope this makes sense... ;)
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 31, 2007, 02:02:10 pm
You did a fine job on that bow. I would not recommend chiselling the handle out like that though. Splits in the wood could be started that could compromise the bow.
Thanks, I used a japanese saw to cut the cutout in 1/8 in increments,then  I usually use a chisel to remove the pieces. sometime  use the adze and tap the butt with a light mallet, but this time i listened to my intuition after i took the pic and put the Adze away LOL.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 31, 2007, 02:03:05 pm
She looks nice Phil
Thanks Dana
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 31, 2007, 02:06:26 pm
Ryan is so right on that, next time tiller first so that if one limb wants to be stringer or weaker you can turn the bow over to get it on the appropriate side, top/bottom.  Sometimes you will also discover that the string lies to one side when you are finished, so you don't have to cut the shelf as deep if that side is the arrow pass. But since it is started, I would reduce some of the wood on both sides and on the belly of the handle so that it is comefortable to put the web of your hand around with your index finger on one side and your thumb on the other. I like to leave the palm of the handle a little higher so it puts presssure on the hand while in a relaxed state with the arm extended. Justin
man i must be lucky today, cause its working out but I'll take the advice a and remember next time, thanks Kind people.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on December 31, 2007, 02:10:15 pm
The tiller looks really nice! I totally agree with Ryan and Justin's comments about waiting to shape the handle after tiller is complete.

I personally like to use a large round rasp to do the bulk of my shaping of the handle area where your hand will be. I like to do this work while holding the bow on my lap so that I can rotate the bow while rasping. This allows me to shape the handle with emphasis on comfort. I'll continually grip the bow as if to shoot during this process until I've shaped the handle to my liking. The last couple of bows I've made have finger grooves to improve the feel of the bow in my hand. I place my handle on the grip while still fat, and with a pencil trace the outline and angle of my fingers. Using a round rasp I remove wood where my finger will rest leaving "ridges" between my fingers. The grip will cover this finger groove area, but will retain the "feel". ;)

If cutting a shelf in the bow, I like the shelf to be radiused up to reduce the surface contact against the arrow. I also glue on a small half round shaped piece of thick leather mounted to the shelf which is what the arrow will actually rest on. I saturate this piece of leather in super glue which hardens it and allows for further shaping after gluing to the shelf if necessary. I slightly slope the top quadrant of this piece of leather that the arrow will rest on towards the bow to "encourage" the arrow to stay on the shelf and not be as likely to drop off while drawing the bow or when hunting. Hope this makes sense... ;)
sence it does make, I just sloped the rest. I like the crazy glue idea.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: medicinewheel on December 31, 2007, 05:03:52 pm

nice!

frank
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on January 01, 2008, 03:15:20 am
Here is the NEW YEAR Paint JOB, Almost done, another question is, when first braced the bow seems stiff on the lower view wise, then I pull it to 26 and it levels off to almost equal on both lower and upper, does that make any sence?

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Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Minuteman on January 01, 2008, 11:16:43 am
Do you mean he lower limb seems stiffer than the upper one? If so that good , having a little positive tiller is a good thing.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on January 01, 2008, 01:01:22 pm
Do you mean he lower limb seems stiffer than the upper one? If so that good , having a little positive tiller is a good thing.
yep ,just looks funny watching right after puttin the string on, the bow shifts from the lower to the upper, good day.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: markinengland on January 01, 2008, 01:53:06 pm
Nice final shape at brace and full draw. Looks like you enjoyed the process as well. I like making bows that I learn new stuff on. Keeps the brain working.
Mark
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: PK on January 01, 2008, 09:59:35 pm
Nice final shape at brace and full draw. Looks like you enjoyed the process as well. I like making bows that I learn new stuff on. Keeps the brain working.
Mark
Yes I extremely enjoy the procces especially when I learn the way I'm supposed to do it.
Just getting ready to serve my string then I will post the final photos in a new thread. End of this thread I guess.
Title: Re: Handle
Post by: Pappy on January 02, 2008, 01:26:27 pm
Very nice looking bow the tiller turned out nice also. :)
   Pappy