Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lost Arra on January 18, 2008, 12:35:00 pm
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Last spring I visited a friend in NC to do some crappie fishing. Driving down the road by Lexington we passed a saw mill so I did what everyone here would have done, immediate U-turn and inquired about hickory lumber. We were less than an hour from Hickory, NC so I figured my chances were good.
The manager looked at me like I was from Mars when I asked if they had hickory lumber and he took me to four 25' stacks of hickory lumber and asked "how much you want?" When I said one board ought to do it since I had to get it on a plane home he scratched his head because he wasn't even sure how to price one board. I picked one with some straight grain. He charged me $3 and even cut it so I could get it in my pvc fishing rod case.
Keeping with my low-cost plan I split the board so I could hopefully get two bows from it. Here is the first.
64" ntn 50#@28
I heated and flipped the limb tips but most of it pulled out during tillering.
There was a small knot that had me a little concerned so I made a hide glue/sinew patch and then wrapped with the same.
Not one to throw anything away I used some scrap osage for overlays.
My only regret is that I didn't get this finished earlier. I wanted to try and get a deer with it. I love my osage bows for hunting but board bows seem to get the back seat as hunting weapons.
Maybe I'll get a hog with it this spring.
Any criticism welcome. I'm not only cheap but thick-skinned.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow009.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow011.jpg)
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I like it. Your my kind of guy. I love the way you seized the moment. The Osage overlays look great too. It looks to me like the limbs are parallel for 2/3 of the limb and then taper to the tips is that correct? The handle I take it is all one piece with the bow and not glued on? What is the belly thickness? Danny
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Yes. Parallel limb width for about 2/3 their length.
The board wasn't thick enough for a handle that I like and I didn't want to build it up with leather so I did glue a handle before I started any wood removal.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Hickory%20Bd%20Bow/HickoryBdBow006.jpg)
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Lost Arra, that is a real beauty! The tiller, the braced profile and everything about that bow looks great, it's just an all around great looking bow. By the way, I work in Hickory NC! Where did you go fishing?
Alan
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Really a nice hickory bow. Thanks for taking some decent pictures. The handle grain looks gorgeous!
Got you bookmarked for Jan Self Bow of the Month, too.
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Cheap and beautiful what a great combination ;D
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Simply gorgeous Bob, I like everything about the bow, but now that hat is a different subject ::) >:D
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Very nice work. Look out hogs.
On your second bow, I would suggest starting your width taper at midlimb or even a bit sooner. I think you'll find you get better performance. I've made hickory bows exactly as yours is designed, and whenI went to an earlier taper I got better results. Its also easier to get the midlimb bending well, since you are getting some help from the width taper and don't have to do it all with thickness.
Sawmills often have stacks of waste wood that includes cutting the bark off the log. Sometimes these are thick enough to use for staves, especially if you don't mind gluing on a handle. You just have to get them fresh, as white woods rot pretty fast out in the elements.
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Nice job.
I think you should look up the ole boy at the sawmill and send him a picture snail mail. I had to LOL when I read your story. I had some wood milled (osage, hickory) years ago at Hickory Flat, MS, just up the road from Mom's people's home place (Potts Camp). Similar deal. Hickory is generally reserved for stuff like shipping pallets. Cyprus and oak is about all that is milled commerically.
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Dano: that's my winter bowbuilding cap! ;D
The shop is usually cold because the propane heater blows dust all over the place.
Besides it was 20 degrees when I took that photo! :)
Regarding the photos: I did send some back to the sawmill guy.
I hope to see him again in April.
Thanks Lennie. I am going to hasten that limb taper on the second bow from this board.
Woodland: I think it's called High Rock Lake. We caught quite a few fish. Of course, my secret Oklahoma crappie jig caught those Carolina fish by surprise. :D
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My last trip back to Mississippi I stopped by a saw mill and bought 4 fresh milled 4X4X8ft timbers. $4.00 each perfect straight grain all white wood. I plan to go back there every trip from now on, next time I want to buy a truck load. Steve
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I work at a hardwood lumber mill and see thousands and thousands of feet of hickory, oak, maple, cherry, etc. I have NEVER seen a hickory board as pretty as that! Saw Filer
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OK, I got some criticism. You only got 1 board. ::) That is just wrong. You need a bigger suitcase so you can fit billet sized boards in it. ;D
Great looking bow and a fun story. Oldbow is right, you did a good job on the pictures. Justin
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Outstanding bow. Great stroy too. Jawge
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Seeing these wonderful bows, and the great care involved in them and hearing these cool stories, really inpires me to do better on mine. Im really envious of your skill with would.
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My only criticism is that you didn't immediately mail it to me. :) Fine looking bow.
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Great job.That profile is what Comstock refers to as the overbuilt bow.One of the fastest hickorys I ever made was this design.I shot that bow for many years with next to no set(a good design).I LIKE MY hickory and yes I'm a tightwad.
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My only concern with sawmill lumber is that it isn't stored properly before or after the sawing...at least in our area. With white woods, it doesn't take long for fungi to impregnate the wood. Pat
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that's a simple but very fine bow; really nice details, too!
frank
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Nice looking piece of equipment!!! I like your cheap style!
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Do you remember the name of the place? Turns out I have to go to Charlotte on business, wouldn't mind getting some for myself.
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Hey Lost,
Great job in all respects. I really like the subtle little refex on the outer limbs. Great color and style also. Super.
Dirty Dan
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Beautiful bow,very well done. :)
Pappy
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off the mark:
I just found the business card.
It's Kepley-Frank Hardwood Company.
975 Conrad Mill Rd
Lexington
336-746-5419
I talked to Bart Jenkins in the office.
I sent him a photo of the bow so he can see I did actually make something out of it.
Of course, the next time I'll probably have to pay $6! :)
Thanks to all for the comments.