Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Weylin on February 14, 2015, 11:21:29 pm

Title: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 14, 2015, 11:21:29 pm

I'm working on a yew bow for an elk hunter and I thought it would be fun to take some pictures as I went along and talk about what I'm doing. Hopefully it can be helpful to some beginners and interesting to others. It's not a crazy stave or a daring design, just a simple, sturdy, effective hunting weapon. He want's between 55-60# at 28". I making it 64" nock to nock and I'm going to do mildly flipped tips.

 The stave belonged to the man that I'm building it for. It's well seasoned with pretty decent RPI. The sapwood is about 3/8" thick which is a little borderline for a flatbow design. I offered to reduce it a bit and back the bow with some rawhide but in the end we decided to keep it simple and keep the natural back. I think there will be enough heartwood for the design.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iCfG0BjAa1E/VM8MQssG5gI/AAAAAAAAAYU/Yg89eZq1q-c/w769-h577-no/DSCN8548.JPG)

The back has a few small knots but I was able to incorporate them into the middle of the limbs so that they will be less troublesome. Yew is known for it's tolerance of knots so I'm hoping that this stave will be no different. I've made yew bows with worse knots than this.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KXLE6LkvebY/VM8MQvZp-II/AAAAAAAAAYk/C5f0wHAyfZg/w433-h577-no/DSCN8549.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 14, 2015, 11:35:02 pm

I started by gently removing the bark and most of the cambium with my drawknife. I know some people like to leave the bark on until later in the process but I just don't like drawing out the bow on the dark, scaly bark so I take it off right away. I'm careful not to damage the first layer of sapwood so if I need to leave patches of cambium in places that's ok at this point. I'm extra careful around bumps and knots so I don't violate the back of the bow. I leave little islands of bark around the knots that I will clean up later with different tools.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-duG31nJDKjk/VM8Mpl9gVOI/AAAAAAAAAYs/9YFpLGhl6cI/w769-h577-no/DSCN8550.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N1UQWUua4Jk/VM8NFJM8kmI/AAAAAAAAAbo/KOs_6vMRoWo/w433-h577-no/DSCN8553.JPG)

Next I take out my card scraper and start removing more of the cambium still being careful of the first layer of wood.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dbZu_kpAddc/VM8NIUkLSQI/AAAAAAAAAcA/NzHHtuALvxs/w769-h577-no/DSCN8554.JPG)

There are still some spots where there are dips and valleys that the flat scraper can't get into. for those I use my curved scrapers to gently remove the stubborn cambium.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJ9sFT2R5Ms/VM8NV10m-JI/AAAAAAAAAcc/qZ063z3nc4E/w769-h577-no/DSCN8555.JPG)

I clean up the knots a little but don't bother with them too much. I'm just trying to get off the bulk of the cambium so I have a decent surface to layout the bow. Once I rough out the bow I'll clean up the back more thoroughly. No reason to do detail work on wood I'm just going to chop off with a hatchet! This is what it looks like when I'm done.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-blbYxqsaGeA/VM8NqWStLfI/AAAAAAAAAcs/qaccLcFqgVw/w433-h577-no/DSCN8556.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Aaron H on February 15, 2015, 12:01:23 am

Sweet, I'll be watching this.  Thanks Weylin.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: portlandfire on February 15, 2015, 01:59:57 am

   Really looking forward to following this build a long.  Thank you so much.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: wizardgoat on February 15, 2015, 02:29:44 am

Thanks for takin the time. Always cool to see how others work

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: SLIMBOB on February 15, 2015, 09:12:18 am

Yes sir.  I too enjoy seeing how others get it done.  I'll be following.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 15, 2015, 09:14:57 am

Looks like you have a good start. Thanks. I like to watch others bowyer  too. Jawge

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Stringman on February 15, 2015, 09:18:36 am

I'll be watchin, good start!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: russell on February 15, 2015, 10:31:48 am

Being new to staves, this will be a good one for me to watch - thanks.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: missilemaster on February 15, 2015, 10:35:45 am

This should be good! :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Blaflair2 on February 15, 2015, 11:12:16 am

Already book marked it

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: rps3 on February 15, 2015, 11:33:34 am

I see a beautiful bow in there, and will be following along like reading a good book. Great first chapter so far.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: bubby on February 15, 2015, 12:58:46 pm

Nothing like a good build a long

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Woody Knot on February 15, 2015, 02:11:45 pm

I shall be looking out for posts on this each evening .. thanks for sharing.
Garry

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Markus on February 15, 2015, 04:59:09 pm

Yew is always interesting to work, I have made many of them in the last 30 years. One thing I don't get is that you say you are careful not to cut into the first layer of the sap wood. But judging from the pics you have  done so? Markus. :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 15, 2015, 08:16:03 pm

I'm glad people are finding this interesting. I'll try to keep posting as I go.

Markus, I know it looks rough with the cambium in patches but the sapwood's in good shape. You'll see in later pictures that it's a clean back.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Sidewinder on February 15, 2015, 08:51:25 pm

I love your work Weylin, I'm looking forward to this.  Danny

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: IdahoMatt on February 15, 2015, 08:59:01 pm

Man I just love build alongs.  Can't wait to see more

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 15, 2015, 09:05:13 pm

Now I lay out the center line. This is a straight stave so I can use a string to make the center line without worrying about violating the grain. On a snakey stave I would simply do the center line by hand following the crown down the length of the stave.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cLmcyN_Ncwk/VM8NniLR3uI/AAAAAAAAAZs/6-IqAPvN-o0/w433-h577-no/DSCN8557.JPG)

Then I find the center of the stave and mark it with a line.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zy7ChgH7vEA/VM8N5Z4Cl_I/AAAAAAAAApw/FI8eyCHK1EE/w433-h577-no/DSCN8558.JPG)

I decided to make the top limb 1" longer than the bottom so make the 4" handle offset by one inch.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCaNQLg_BCk/VM8OGyXegfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/1DELyk6qSAw/w769-h577-no/DSCN8559.JPG)

Then 2" on either side for the fades

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCaNQLg_BCk/VM8OGyXegfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/1DELyk6qSAw/w769-h577-no/DSCN8559.JPG)

The handle is 1" at the ends and 1 1/4" in the middle. It widens out to 1 5/8" at the fades. I wanted to make it 1 3/4" wide but whoever bandsawed the stave left a narrow spot. You gotta work with what you've got! Luckily yew tolerates narrower designs so it should be fine.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lkRMLKt9GxU/VM8OibvjarI/AAAAAAAAAdg/-gji4yIuWDM/w769-h577-no/DSCN8562.JPG)

I'm doing an American flatbow design that maintains the full width out to mid limb. so I find the middle of each limb and measure out the 1 5/8" there too. I connect the lines from the fades to mid limb. Then I do a straight taper from full width at mid limb down to 1/2" at the tips.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aa-9MIV662o/VM79sPfJ9II/AAAAAAAAAdo/L1YThggkXHo/w433-h577-no/DSCN8563.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LIYri5Ia3vY/VM79s2k-iNI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/2Vk5TSIRguI/w433-h577-no/DSCN8564.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 15, 2015, 09:13:36 pm

Now it's time to get rid of some extra wood. A bandsaw would work great for this but for those of you like me that are power tool deprived a hatchet and a draw knife work just fine. I start at the tip and work my way up so that I don't accidentally catch the grain and tear out more than I want. I stay away from my final dimensions with the hatchet, just getting close. Then with the draw knife I work my way down to the lines. First I wanted to get rid of a fair amount of my belly wood so that I'm not wasting time and effort drawknifing a really thick stave down to the width dimensions. I'm careful though not to get it so thin that its ready to bend at all. This is still rough work.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iapYwvmu3wI/VM79-Q4szeI/AAAAAAAAAeA/dunyq91awZc/w769-h577-no/DSCN8567.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0_5rmirGygg/VM7965IhWUI/AAAAAAAAAd4/EjSMncSYbVM/w769-h577-no/DSCN8566.JPG)

Here's the stave after I've thinned it down a bit and reduced the width to the lines that I had drawn on the back of the bow. I leave the handle section full width and with plenty of thickness. This will let me fine tune the string alignment after the bow is braced.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IsHPTlYIBVU/VM7-Vms2zkI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/HBDsDsqSVbM/w433-h577-no/DSCN8570.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Kh1NYJdLmzg/VM7-h-9kw5I/AAAAAAAAAeU/L_pce11s-vw/w433-h577-no/DSCN8571.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 15, 2015, 09:36:58 pm

Even though I reduced the thickness some it is still way to thick to bend, as you can see.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t2BBEcLBq34/VM7-tj3v_pI/AAAAAAAAAec/v6_fo-PfzAI/w433-h577-no/DSCN8572.JPG)

So my next step is to draw a line that will get me close to bending the bow. There's no magic formula for this because every piece of wood is different. I go based on intuition and if anything I ere on the side of leaving it too thick. To draw the line I lock my hand on the back of the bow and place the pencil at what seems like a good thickness. I drag the pencil down the bow and my hand follows the contours of the back creating a consistent thickness taper. I gradually increase the thickness of the profile as I travel from tip to handle. It's not rocket surgery at this point, I'm just trying to get in the ballpark.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OunCdkftsn0/VM7-2L1r8QI/AAAAAAAAAek/_p1337JxuMc/w433-h577-no/DSCN8573.JPG)

Then with the drawknife I bring it down to my line. You can see I didn't dig down into the valleys with my drawknife. I'll clean those up later with a rasp. I don't want to risk pulling up more than I want so I'm being pretty careful with the drawknife at this point. I also left plenty of thickness at the handle for now.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yOmcKjrUncI/VM7_Aqq1o4I/AAAAAAAAAe0/5hRvPivZTa4/w433-h577-no/DSCN8583.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Badly Bent on February 15, 2015, 10:01:48 pm

Its looking good Weylin.  I'll be following this post, always enjoy when someone takes the time to post their working methods.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 15, 2015, 10:58:20 pm

Now it's time to clean up the stave a little and get rid of the rough tool marks. I can bring everything right down to the line now and get the sides squared off better. I'm using a Microplane here, it's a great tool. I went out and got one after using Gordon's. They're slick.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eY3b7N6C8-M/VM7_fZ1IXaI/AAAAAAAAAao/dbhj7AH-p3s/w769-h577-no/DSCN8585.JPG)

Next I measure out some lines down the side of my bow so that each limb has corresponding lines in 6" increments. I use these lines to compare the same areas on each limb to match the thickness. This isn't a crucial step it's just something I came up with to help even up the limbs and get the taper on the right track before I get into the fine tuning.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OWsJBuqPX7U/VM7_3GzYuAI/AAAAAAAAAfM/x3R22ZxNZno/w433-h577-no/DSCN8588.JPG)

I use some outside calipers to compare the corresponding spot on both limbs. If one side is thicker I reduce it down to match the other side. I'm also comparing spots along one limb to make sure it's tapering smoothly. Once I get the limbs tapering smoothly and matching each other then I'm ready to move on.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B8Z3678Wztw/VM8AEtZgrpI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Dnw_fUD8Aus/w769-h577-no/DSCN8589.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yRsp3c_5D5M/VM8AK8FqVeI/AAAAAAAAAfc/O-FRkX9enpY/w433-h577-no/DSCN8590.JPG)

This stave has a lovely contrast between the sapwood and heartwood.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zQDdlr6ZPxA/VM8AebANs3I/AAAAAAAAAgo/CqS8JmGhBx4/w433-h577-no/DSCN8592.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Drewster on February 15, 2015, 11:13:42 pm

Thanks for taking the time to do this Weylin.  I've never had the opportunity to work any yew, so this is most interesting.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Aaron H on February 16, 2015, 10:38:51 am

Very cool Weylin.  Looks great

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: bubby on February 16, 2015, 12:05:45 pm

That is a pretty stave

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: coaster500 on February 16, 2015, 07:01:50 pm

This channel is worth staying tuned to.....  Lookin good!!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on February 17, 2015, 02:28:55 am

Lookin good Weylin, is the microplane like a surform? the blade looks similar

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: missilemaster on February 17, 2015, 07:55:10 am

Beautiful piece if yew!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 17, 2015, 10:47:04 am

Peacebow, it is like a surform but I like it better. It really takes the wood off smoothly but aggressively. It's especially good for vine maple. Vine Maple is the bane of just about every tool. It doesn't like drawknives, scrapers, rasps, etc. but the microplane does the job on it.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Gaur on February 17, 2015, 11:47:28 am

Looking good.  Thanks for taking the time to do this as these are always enjoyable to see how others tackle the process

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Springbuck on February 17, 2015, 01:10:41 pm

Quote from: Weylin on February 17, 2015, 10:47:04 am

It doesn't like drawknives, scrapers, rasps, etc. but the microplane does the job on it.

Sorry to change the subject, but as an aside, how/why does it not like rasps and scrapers?  I have met a lot of woods that just LOVE to clog planes, spokeshaves, sureforms, etc. but if you can't even rasp it, what hope is there?  (Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi!)....

  That sounds like a good reason to heat temper it all on it's own, despite what I have heard about it liking to return to shape. It works on stringy red elm and young white mulberry branches by making the wood a buit harder and crisper.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 18, 2015, 09:35:39 pm

Vine maple is super stringy. scrapers just don't take off nice curls of wood like yew or osage. It clogs up rasps in seconds. The microplane can get clogged too if you're not clearing it regularly but it's the best tool I've used. It's easier to clear of clogs than a rasp is, as well. That's been my experience, anyway.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on February 18, 2015, 09:51:46 pm

Now it's time to bust out the high-tech, super sensitive measuring tool! Your hands can tell you a great deal about tiller. They can detect very slight deviations in thickness. I run my fingers up and down the stave feeling for a smooth, steady taper from the fade to the tip. It's taken many bows for me to develop confidence in what my fingers are telling me. I still have a long way to go until I have magic fingers like John Strunk or Gordon but I can still get the tiller off to a good start this way. If I feel a thick spot I take off some scrapes till it feels right. If I feel a skinny spot I mark it and leave it alone. I do this until I can feel the taper that I want.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pVzQimR5gAs/VM8AroGEC0I/AAAAAAAAAgw/JwcnSHuztCA/w769-h577-no/DSCN8593.JPG)

I decided at this point to come back to the back of the bow and give it a little more attention. There are still some stubborn areas of cambium in little valleys so I use my goosneck scraper to coax them out. I also give the knot areas some love, getting the last bits of bark and cambium off.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K-Ls52wCeCo/VM8AwXL5SYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/a71baPiK9Cs/w769-h577-no/DSCN8595.JPG)

It's looking much more presentable now. Top limb and bottom limb, respectively

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tKCb2oYyLg/VM8B4VUK98I/AAAAAAAAAhU/X346ZX_J0dg/w433-h577-no/DSCN8603.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0VirLy85sHw/VM8CMfZk-6I/AAAAAAAAAhg/Y7leEvo9p7Y/w433-h577-no/DSCN8605.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gLfPv3-4tqs/VM8Ck9g_ZQI/AAAAAAAAAf0/VsJtWrHLOuQ/w433-h577-no/DSCN8607.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xCHRe3j3gpw/VM8CrEjJ93I/AAAAAAAAAh0/NNMlEbmGP8Q/w433-h577-no/DSCN8608.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yr92L6KcZJc/VM8C4gMTKwI/AAAAAAAAAh8/VD_XVRR-QT0/w433-h577-no/DSCN8609.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-obBEBZq8zjU/VM8C8z1U9xI/AAAAAAAAAiE/RWczl-Y5cnQ/w433-h577-no/DSCN8610.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Aaron H on February 19, 2015, 08:09:20 am

That cleaned up very nicely

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: alwayslookin on February 19, 2015, 09:56:10 am

Looking good. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Carson (CMB) on February 19, 2015, 10:47:37 am

Glad to see you come to your "senses" and bust out the finger calipers. The picture of the steel calipers on that beautiful yew was disgusting  ;)
Great buildalong Weylin. I will be tuning in.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: simson on February 19, 2015, 03:02:26 pm

Thanks for sharing, Weylin. I will be watching!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Will H on February 19, 2015, 08:02:50 pm

Great lookin piece of wood! Cant wait to see what you make of it :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Arrowind on February 19, 2015, 08:29:47 pm

Very cool dude.  Watching with interest!

Heh one of these days I might even try working a stave.. :o

If/when I do  I'm coming back to this thread.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: mox1968 on February 22, 2015, 03:43:39 pm

Great looking stave !!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: rockrush69 on February 22, 2015, 04:57:05 pm

Quote from: Markus on February 15, 2015, 04:59:09 pm

Yew is always interesting to work, I have made many of them in the last 30 years. One thing I don't get is that you say you are careful not to cut into the first layer of the sap wood. But judging from the pics you have  done so? Markus. :)

I agree.  Usually i take it to pink only with zero white wood. Then a cabnet scraper and i go side to side not up and down thats my way to not violate growth rings . I have a video on the jubject on my youtube page. Anyways its knot that important with yew anyways ... but it makes me feel better for SURE

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 03, 2015, 12:23:04 am

Now I want to narrow the tips a bit. I don't like to wait too long to do this because I don't like surprises later when I change the dimensions too much. I'm also getting ready to put on the tip overlays. I go from the original 1/2" down to around 3/8". Nothing drastic but not quite so clunky.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VFxVSScM1Ro/VM8EJRh6p5I/AAAAAAAAA0o/5CHAPPWdoGI/w769-h577-no/DSCN8616.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BW_kvu3snPA/VM8EOxb8xkI/AAAAAAAAA0w/tj4uayqSKsM/w769-h577-no/DSCN8618.JPG)

Here it is bending a bit on the floor. Obviously I can't tell much about the tiller yet from the bend but I know I'm in the ball park based on the feel of the taper. I want to get it up on the tree with a long string but before I do that I want to put on the overlays. I used to cut in temporary self nocks and do most of my tillering with those and do the overlays later. Keenan basically told me to man up and have some confidence in the bow and not waste time doing string grooves twice. Made sense to me. Since then I've done my tip overlays early and stop doing the temporary nocks. I haven't regretted it yet.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-neYG76T3ApY/VM8ElgsvrfI/AAAAAAAAA04/2XZfk0pxphc/w341-h577-no/DSCN8620.JPG)

I take a piece of horn from my box. Not sure but I think this is buffalo horn. I saw it down to the length I want.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7KJGKw_ktdk/VM8FA1gliyI/AAAAAAAAAjE/1rZPWPmrwtQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8632.JPG)

Then I saw it in half, lengthwise.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-42wnfEFLOGI/VM8FFUQ3SYI/AAAAAAAAAjM/3G_SsydQgrQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8633.JPG)

Now I've got two pieces. I'm only going to use one of these for this bow. I'll save the other peice for another bow. Waste not want not.  ::)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j_RDAe4tDKs/VM8Gr9wfE4I/AAAAAAAAAjU/0JVukW9LG3A/w769-h577-no/DSCN8635.JPG)

I take one of those pieces and saw diagonally across lengthwise to create two pre-tapered overlays.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zjFnLF7Yt74/VM8FSf9tbII/AAAAAAAAAjc/a7ha_BGFi5w/w769-h577-no/DSCN8636.JPG)

I use the "fine" side of my ferriers rasp to smooth down and flatten the bottom side of the horn overlay. I clamp the file and rub the horn back and forth. Watch your finger tips!  >:D

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rBbqhXXzmUE/VM8FYHZkGVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/fSs3q1C4CL4/w769-h577-no/DSCN8637.JPG)

Then I clamp the piece in the vice and use a rasp to taper one end down to a point both in width and in height. It's so much easier and safer to taper the overlay before it's glued down.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KNk7A887Lu0/VM8FnHzjNvI/AAAAAAAAAjs/xgsi-RvYXxE/w769-h577-no/DSCN8638.JPG)

Here they are, both ready to glue on the bow.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BcSpOTNNscI/VM8FsfZgK-I/AAAAAAAAAj0/UviFvynvkec/w769-h577-no/DSCN8640.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: IdahoMatt on March 03, 2015, 09:31:30 am

Looking good man.  Love to see all this done with hand tools.  Keep em coming

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 08, 2015, 01:08:41 am

I put the overlay on the tip of the bow and draw a line at the point. Most of my overlays start at about 1 1/2 - 2". These are more like 1 1/2"

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qADZL477Ek/VM8F9bH8eCI/AAAAAAAAAj8/NpzrVgC3okY/w769-h577-no/DSCN8642.JPG)

I use a ruler to draw a line on each side of the tip from the line across the back down to a point at the tip of the bow. It's a bit arbitrary for me how deep I make it. I judge based on the thickness of the overlay and the thickness of the tip as to what would look good and be functional. On this bow it's probably about 3/8".

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ioGCfqzFm-c/VM8GFiHQ-zI/AAAAAAAAAkE/l9y_FnWavzI/w769-h577-no/DSCN8644.JPG)

I use the ferrier's rasp to reduce it down to the line. This may seem like an overly aggressive tool  choice but I've found that the size and width of the tool allows me to create a flatter and more consistent surface for gluing the overlay onto. Once I get it down to the line I clean it up with a finer file.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rGA6aZMEFa0/VM8GWDpFcPI/AAAAAAAAAkM/bQfKZ459jGY/w769-h577-no/DSCN8645.JPG)

This is what it looks like when it's ready to glue.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xyueFvMRHhs/VM8GhuYM89I/AAAAAAAAAkU/II515ITWMPI/w769-h577-no/DSCN8646.JPG)

I use a high quality gel superglue to put on my tip overlays. Don't skimp on the superglue I had a few tip overlay failures with a lower quality glue and I learned my lesson.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gxx3MlUk--8/VM8HDAe4HII/AAAAAAAAAkk/Iqh5v_-efdM/w433-h577-no/DSCN8649.JPG)

Then I clamp it down for a bit to allow the glue to set.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YOQHU9OGLeI/VM8HOcvyYZI/AAAAAAAAAks/eJjJNFsuWwk/w769-h577-no/DSCN8650.JPG)

I take a rasp to the overlay, working it down to shape and use a file to blend the overlay in with the back. I'm careful not to be aggressive at the transition so as not to damage the back. You can't avoid working it down a bit though. I'm not trying to refine the tips to their final dimensions yet. I just want them to be serviceable at this point.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y0ogLlf8K9A/VM8HYWUWx0I/AAAAAAAAAk4/9nHTND6qjY0/w769-h577-no/DSCN8653.JPG)

Next I use a chainsaw file to cut in the string groove. I go straight over the back of the overlay and then angle in towards the handle on the sides.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iJXTtMYHPt8/VM8He0Y0W6I/AAAAAAAAAlA/CEIv0fcw2ZQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8654.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8R-PCeiZDJo/VM8I4p1dIRI/AAAAAAAAAlI/jSGIe_BbhdQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8655.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Blacktail on March 08, 2015, 01:59:19 am

not too bad for a school teacher..LOL..just giving you crap...looks like it will be great piece of work..i love a yew flat bow..it should have a butter smooth draw..john

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Gordon on March 08, 2015, 03:00:04 am

I am enjoying your build a long Weylin. Nicely done.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: IdahoMatt on March 08, 2015, 03:38:38 am

Nice work.  It's neat to see how other people get things done.   :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on March 08, 2015, 05:15:20 am

Lookin good Weylin, I like that 2p-10 too, my buddy gave me whole jug for christmas after elk hunting one year, I went through about 1.5 bottles of loctite.  Gonna be a sweet bow

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: ---GUTSHOT---> on March 08, 2015, 12:18:51 pm

Enjoying your yew build along

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 08, 2015, 03:01:33 pm

Thanks for the kind words and interest. Doing a good build a long is harder than I thought. I hope it turns out helpful. It's hard to remember to take pictures as I go a long. I get into a groove making the bow and it feels annoying to stop and set up a picture sometimes. Plus the lighting and background in my shop are not ideal. I actually have the bow ready to shoot. I'm meeting the future owner at the range today to shoot it in. I'll try to get my build along caught up.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 08, 2015, 03:29:30 pm

Now I'm ready to bend in some mild curves in the tips. The bows owner wanted slightly flipped tips but not full recurves which is good because due to the placement of the knots I don't think I could have asked that of this stave. I use a hotplate and a pot to steam my tips. I get the water boiling put the bending portion over the water and cover it up with cloths and the cover. If I had enough tin foil on hand I would have used that but it's not crucial. I'm careful to keep the actual tips with the overlays out of the direct heat. I don't want the glue to be effected. Honestly I think if I had to do over I would have steamed the bends before I did the overlays just to be safe but they ended up just fine this time.  I let these steam for about 45 minutes but honestly I don't think it needs to take that long. I have seen John Strunk steam bows in much less time and bend them no problem. He swore that anything more than 15-20 minutes was overkill. The longer times don't seem to hurt anything though so I guess I err on the side of caution.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OdLfwftTUJg/VNcbF4nCYkI/AAAAAAAAAnI/HHXA0h0yN5I/w769-h577-no/DSCN8656.JPG)

I make sure that my caul and my clamps are all set up and ready to go while my wood is steaming. Once the wood is ready I quickly transfer it to the caul, clamp down the tip and smoothly but quickly bend the bow down over the caul and clamp it down.  Watch carefully for splinters starting on the belly and for "hinges" in the bend where it's bending unevenly. The more even the thickness the smoother the bend. It was a bit tricky on this stave because of a cluster of knots near the top tip. Luckily it bended smoothly.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xA8GN_dalo8/VNcbFbPSt-I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/5uHs9fLH5mc/w769-h577-no/DSCN8657.JPG)

I have found, at least with yew, that a bend that is only steamed in doesn't always want to stay. It will get pulled out when the bow starts getting pulled. So after I steam the bend I take out my heat gun and I lightly temper the curved area. This helps to retain much more of the reflex. Especially because my caul has a backing I need to be cautious about heat getting trapped under the bow and scorching the back. I do a couple things to help. I place a strip of foil along the gap to deflect the heat away from the back of the bow. I also am conscious of the angle of the heat gun so that I am not blasting heat directly down into the gap.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5Mi1279QApo/VNcb58_PwzI/AAAAAAAAAno/nER0Mlfhbuw/w769-h577-no/DSCN8661.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R91MqrDnPuo/VNccFN4GyBI/AAAAAAAAAnw/lDRzRKh_vRA/w769-h577-no/DSCN8662.JPG)

Here it is with both tips finished. Due to the knot on the top limb it didn't come out quite as reflexed as the bottom tip. I had to play around with it a bit and match the bottom tip to the top tip.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dau4O26jR6c/VNccROBcw0I/AAAAAAAAAn8/YMOTWI8no-s/w1039-h577-no/DSCN8663.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--3JXlU1ldmY/VNccYUlk4gI/AAAAAAAAAoE/B4bkWCDVXSU/w769-h577-no/DSCN8664.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0TMiYNJOGbE/VNccfxbsLbI/AAAAAAAAAoM/SnYJl8K2-xg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8665.JPG)

There is a bit of twist in the stave that became exaggerated when I reflexed the tips. I adjusted the direction that the tips were pointing so they would line up closer to the center of the bow. I'll let the picture show what I did to make the adjustment.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZraPvesYXyY/VNcckOOm-fI/AAAAAAAAAoU/XFFTO7jaHO0/w769-h577-no/DSCN8666.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: bow101 on March 08, 2015, 03:58:19 pm

As always your work is inspirational to mature bowyers and newbies.   :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: ajooter on March 08, 2015, 09:32:30 pm

How much water do ya put in your pot weylin?

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 08, 2015, 10:04:43 pm

Enough water to generate a good amount of heat and not evaporate away but I keep it low enough that its not splashing water all over the bow.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 08, 2015, 10:05:38 pm

Looking sweet man. Love that yew.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 08, 2015, 11:08:38 pm

I'm ready to start bending it on the long string. I try to keep the long string as short as possible to give a more accurate impression of the tiller. This is my setup. It's not ideal, there are things I'd like to change about it but it does the job for now. I apologize about the background being so distracting, that is one thing I'd like to change but it's not my basement so I have to be conservative about what I set up.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cb94zd6TIhw/VPyhSrjO6pI/AAAAAAAAA9w/j_Kj1N31nwo/w769-h577-no/DSCN8729.JPG)

Unfortunately I don't have a third arm and was unable to take decent pictures while checking the tiller on the long string so you'll have to use your imagination. Here is the bow at first brace. I'm pretty happy with how it looks. There are adjustments that need to be made but it's in the ballpark. I see the top limb (right) is flat in the middle but I like the shape of the bottom limb.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d3vZzmjmHFw/VPyiMK__KJI/AAAAAAAAA-o/MZO6uEhWhIU/w769-h577-no/DSCN8736.JPG)

Here I am pulling the bow down a bit to see how the limbs are moving. Still a little flat mid limb on the top but getting better. I do not exercise the limbs between scraping like I know some people do. The bow gets worked some when I am analyzing the movement of the limbs but I don't do 30 pulls between scraping sessions or whatever. I think it just adds unneeded stress to the bow that may or may not have a proper tiller yet. I also think that changes register when they're made and that working the bow does not train it how to bend, a proper tiller trains it how to bend.  But there is more than one way to skin a cat and that's just my opinion. I know that people who adhere to that make great bows so more power to 'em! I do follow the basic tillering maxims of never exceeding the desired draw weight and never pulling past a problem that I can see. It's funny how easy that last one is to say but I've found that it's only with experience that I have been able to more faithfully follow it. Especially in this early stage when the bow is barely braced I found in the past that it was easy for me to fabricate and ignore issues that either paralyzed me or had me blasting past problems that I think some part of my brain knew were there. Now that I have more experience I have found it easier to identify and correct problems much earlier than I could in the past.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2Z3ars86iYA/VPyiiXiUT7I/AAAAAAAAA-w/pVqxmo3kxAg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8737.JPG)

This may seem obvious to many but I've learned to look at tillering as something of a race against time. What I mean is that every bit of wood that you remove from the bow makes the bow a little weaker and gets you that much closer to your final draw weight (hopefully not beyond!). So if you are winning the race against time it means that your choices of what wood to remove are contributing directly to improving the tiller and not just randomly reducing the draw weight. As long as you are improving the tiller you should arrive at a good tiller before you reach your target draw weight and have the luxury of simply removing wood to reach the weight you want. But if you are removing wood unwisely or indiscriminately then you are losing that race and will likely go past your target weight while trying to chase a good tiller too late in the game. Looking at tillering from that perspective helps me focus on doing as much as I can at each stage to bring me to a smooth taper and subsequently a good tiller.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Gordon on March 09, 2015, 12:22:53 am

Your words about tillering are well said my friend.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Bryce on March 09, 2015, 01:46:19 am

Nice build!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Badger on March 09, 2015, 01:52:57 am

 Good build along and nice looking bow.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: portlandfire on March 09, 2015, 03:17:56 pm

   Very well done and very enlightening...

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Woody Knot on March 09, 2015, 08:13:17 pm

learnt plenty just watching and reading .. thank you

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 10, 2015, 11:38:51 pm

Now that I've got the bow braced I can check the string alignment. This can be a frustrating set back on an otherwise cooperative bow. Luckily on this bow the stave was pretty darn straight and as I check the alignment I find that the string passes pretty much directly through the center of the handle. I left the handle full width until this point in case I needed to offset it slightly to one side to compensate.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QGMF5QVYSdY/VPyiqFz_UsI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/N594eWQ6bw0/w433-h577-no/DSCN8739.JPG)

Since I like what I saw with the alignment check I can finally reduce the handle. I like to do it at this point as opposed to later because Even though it theoretically shouldn't effect the tiller of the bow I don't really like the idea of taking off a lot of wood anywhere on the bow when the bow is well tillered and close to the target weight. First I freshen up my lines on the back to show me where to take off wood. This layout is just to get me on the right track with my handle shape I will reduce it to be smaller than these dimensions when it's all done.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C5oHgUefmvs/VPyi5qmFk_I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/XJP7l3NdEgg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8740.JPG)

I hog off some wood with my microplane and get it down to the lines to start with.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g1ELQlUQg-Q/VPyjGr-nw8I/AAAAAAAAA_g/owb7refYKWs/w769-h577-no/DSCN8741.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-edTTiATMwFg/VPyjK9CqZ6I/AAAAAAAAA_o/zOrlGiUn05o/w769-h577-no/DSCN8742.JPG)

Then I start rounding it off. I like to move it around taking little bits off here and there and reduce it as a whole, checking as I go, instead of working it down to the final dimensions in one spot and then trying to make the other side match. That's a recipe for a wonky handle.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pEW6PWEeebs/VPyjZi3zF3I/AAAAAAAAA_w/Mapy9C0KagM/w769-h577-no/DSCN8743.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TtCl8n58d9w/VPyjlSz7aaI/AAAAAAAAA_4/z77m5Mnnr-8/w769-h577-no/DSCN8744.JPG)

With a finer tool I gently round the edges on the back being careful to leave an untouched strip of the natural back going down the middle to maintain the integrity of the bow.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8j8Vlxpqets/VPykMCna7FI/AAAAAAAABAY/59-cY7LBKKE/w769-h577-no/DSCN8748.JPG)

Getting closer, I'll refine it further later I just wanted to get it close to the final dimensions so there weren't any surprises later.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N1N97zyTENg/VPyj6ut-zjI/AAAAAAAABAI/8KFbF1kxNtY/w769-h577-no/DSCN8746.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: smoke on March 11, 2015, 09:01:25 am

Nice!  I've picked up some good pointers with the build-along. Thanks for posting it!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Aaron H on March 11, 2015, 12:55:59 pm

Great build along Weylin

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: sieddy on March 11, 2015, 01:16:49 pm

Awesome buildalong. Thanks for taking the time to do this!  :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Del the cat on March 11, 2015, 03:27:14 pm

Yo, I'd somehow missed this thread.
Looking good  :)
I've found sometimes it needs a bit of light heat treating to hold in any bend on some Yew, other times it stays just fine.
Nice stave, the knots are pretty challenging, but that's a great shape for a Yew bow... looks a bit like my fave bow, except I don't have the flip tips.
Del

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Cloudfeather on March 11, 2015, 04:42:07 pm

Mind if I ask what brand and where to get that microplane?

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: IdahoMatt on March 11, 2015, 05:42:35 pm

Very nicely done Weylin.  Very cool to see new things and new ideas. Thanks for taking the time. :)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: bubby on March 11, 2015, 06:19:31 pm

I googled the microplanes, not real pricy I might have to get one

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Accipiter on March 11, 2015, 08:48:03 pm

I don't have any nice rasps to compare to, but the microplanes have been awesome in my experience!

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 11, 2015, 10:55:48 pm

Thanks, guys! Glad it's helpful.  :D

Del, the knots gave me some trouble. especially since it wasn't my stave. I really didn't want to mess up another guy's stave for him and I found myself hesitating and second guessing more than I usually do.

Sled, I think the brand is actually called Microplane. Like Bubby said, they're not pricy. You can get different kinds of "blades" that snap in and out, flat, round, coarse, fine, etc. I find some work better than others. I don't care much for the round ones, for instance. I bought mine at my local Woodcrafters.

Accipiter, I don't have any nice rasps either. makes the microplane an easy choice when I reach into my tool box.  ;D

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 11, 2015, 11:05:31 pm

Time to do something with these ugly tips! Once again, I know it shouldn't technically matter to the tiller what I do with the tips but I like to get them slim and trim earlier rather than later just in case.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i0P-4jaz6MQ/VPykdSpclNI/AAAAAAAABAo/pZWSBeh-vRg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8750.JPG)

I get in there and really take off some wood and horn taking down the dimensions of the tips. I used to be more of a sissy about this but I just ended up with clunky tips. I'm sure I could make them even smaller if I wanted but this size seems reasonable to me for this style bow.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P7GbWUpnthY/VPyk40_t1zI/AAAAAAAABHQ/fnRTBdZS9RU/w433-h577-no/DSCN8752.JPG)

Then I clean them up with a small file and make sure they are even and symmetrical.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sBpu9vIhXiI/VPylUI78w9I/AAAAAAAABBQ/p2LIRYmaa2c/w769-h577-no/DSCN8755.JPG)

I make the bottom tip minimalist and rounded. It gets banged around more and touches the ground from time to time. Better to keep it safe and simple.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fLflC5kqbEs/VPylYnyc2fI/AAAAAAAABBc/Xry4kZZgM1k/w769-h577-no/DSCN8757.JPG)

The top tip I make slimmer and longer.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uRBqN9obz-A/VPylw8nHb_I/AAAAAAAABBo/DyHGkUFJvhQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8759.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YA0YvkT14l4/VPylyrt58SI/AAAAAAAABBw/PxepNLTidjY/w769-h577-no/DSCN8760.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--P-N5IZo6us/VPymVXHc0PI/AAAAAAAABCE/l_kY9HYZZDw/w769-h577-no/DSCN8763.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: ajooter on March 11, 2015, 11:16:29 pm

Lookin awesome weylin.   Love your bows!! I Went with your 'compare' for unbacked boy.  I'm sure this one won't be far off.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: IdahoMatt on March 11, 2015, 11:30:53 pm

Nice tips, more ways than one ;)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 13, 2015, 12:09:59 am

I'm honing in on full draw. Once I get the bow braced and start tillering in earnest I try to keep the bow cleaned up as i go along. I don't like lots of gouges and tool marks especially as I'm getting to my final draw length. I don't want any surprises in the tiller as I try to erase deep tool marks. So as I get close I pay some extra attentions to the sides and the edges making sure that they are consistently rounded and smooth. Here is the bow being pulled to around 24-25".

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kr4gpLOTOZ0/VPymqzBJx4I/AAAAAAAABCM/LoA1Xd-I7rE/w769-h577-no/DSCN8764.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r3gGHzYspYU/VPynK55zoMI/AAAAAAAABCg/G7WKVnPJ2Zk/w411-h577-no/DSCN8767.JPG)

When I get it about an inch from full draw I start sanding. I HATE sanding. It's hands down my least favorite step of the process but it's crucial to a nice finish. I have to play all kinds of mind tricks on myself to keep at it. I descend down through the grits all the way to 600 emery paper. All that sanding usually pushes me the final inch to full draw, if not I take a few careful scrapes and clean it up with sandpaper again on the belly. Here it is all sanded up in the sunlight. I put a single coat of shellac on after the sanding to seal under the handle area and just to help fill in the grain a bit. It gives me a little protection while I'm shooting it in as well.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PJ7Kd__KhLA/VPynvPrIoaI/AAAAAAAABDE/ERi_JS-cblg/w433-h577-no/DSCN8771.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O9gQzKCmRzo/VPynwEcn-YI/AAAAAAAABDM/azEwzYAPwMg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8772.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-38N0RNVaAfc/VPyoJy5XSuI/AAAAAAAABDU/78URCujP5YA/w769-h577-no/DSCN8773.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vwjVK16tAw8/VPyouqUeWFI/AAAAAAAABEM/D2xiFlIq7yk/w769-h577-no/DSCN8778.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Arrowind on March 13, 2015, 12:26:57 am

+ 2 bow of awesomeness  :laugh:


Very well done dude.  Thanks for doing this.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 13, 2015, 12:39:58 am

Next step is to build up the back of the handle area. it completes the roundness of the bulbous style handle shape that I like. otherwise you have that little flat area on the back of the handle that doesn't quite fill up your hand right. It's a matter of aesthetics mainly. I used to use layers of rawhide to do this but I've found cork board to be much easier and quicker with the same effect. I break a piece off that's a little larger than I need and then super glue it onto the back of the handle.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NHPliv_Or-U/VPypGcth8iI/AAAAAAAABEU/K2C0XGhVm7U/w769-h577-no/DSCN8779.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xU1hnDtyfJg/VPypP3mIaPI/AAAAAAAABEo/VPwwA-AaDQo/w769-h577-no/DSCN8781.JPG)

With a file I round off the edges and blend them with the wood on the handle. I barely touch the wood and I'm careful not to cause any dings or big scratches in the wood especially where it might show past the handle wrap but the cork is so easy to work there's really no reason to dig into the wood at all.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F9VgjLb_-Hc/VPypqsvC24I/AAAAAAAABEw/G07cI2i17RU/w769-h577-no/DSCN8782.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jjcBhkTbU8k/VPypqlYhgtI/AAAAAAAABE4/CQSodilNuuQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8783.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Eq95QbQY1EY/VPyqKwKHn1I/AAAAAAAABFE/FJa6FGxNkHU/w769-h577-no/DSCN8785.JPG)

Next I wrap the whole handle with braided fishing line. This smoothes out the transition between the cork and the wood to make it indistinguishable. It makes for a slightly more comfortable grip but once again is largely aesthetic. I have made bows without this step and they are fine but I like this process and usually use it. I'll let the pictures do the talking here. It's a straight forward wrapping technique. I keep it tight and close together.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nUgGujtT710/VPyqMVJ4ZrI/AAAAAAAABFM/3iecJJTtpJg/w769-h577-no/DSCN8786.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvmOPj8k_Xk/VPyqtYGPEaI/AAAAAAAABFY/hkcS-K4MNmE/w769-h577-no/DSCN8788.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jlT1IElgV1E/VPyqvJHC5yI/AAAAAAAABFg/uAaWmaGfOIo/w769-h577-no/DSCN8789.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0U5-p9IR_8g/VPyqwmzv8KI/AAAAAAAABFo/_EG5rehLhQk/w769-h577-no/DSCN8790.JPG)

To finish it I make a loop with a separate short piece of line. The loop faces the finishing end and I start wrapping over it several times.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Keb4bzBrcJY/VPyrMfLtliI/AAAAAAAABFw/gDFjMGJ0d6A/w769-h577-no/DSCN8791.JPG)

Then I cut the main line and tuck the end through the loop.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mg-1x95LYcQ/VPyrNZmaiXI/AAAAAAAABF4/OXLylm2EUNw/w769-h577-no/DSCN8792.JPG)

I can then pull on the short string and the loop pulls the end back under about a 1/2" on the tight wrap, securing the end. I'm sure most of you are familiar with this technique or something similar just thought I'd share in case someone hadn't seen it.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hK4dE5FW1n0/VPyrR29K_mI/AAAAAAAABGA/95PMgt8rGXs/w769-h577-no/DSCN8793.JPG)

Then you can pull it tight.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QHNRzGZ2J3c/VPyrlsXmJ7I/AAAAAAAABGI/zw3vJ-GeU4s/w769-h577-no/DSCN8794.JPG)

There's the pre-wrap all finished up. I run some thin super glue over it so that it is immobile.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yDVjlmB2cK8/VPyrlFvuX7I/AAAAAAAABGQ/Ofshz4XhBFQ/w769-h577-no/DSCN8795.JPG)

This bow is ready to shoot. It is tillered to 60#@27". I met with the future owner at the range so he could shoot it in and see how the weight felt. We decided to take a few more scrapes off to lower the weight for optimal shooting. It's good that he decided that because I decided after watching it shoot that I wanted to weaken the top limb a hair to take some load off the bottom limb. It's always best to analyze the tiller when the bow is being drawn and shot as opposed to on the tree. They're just not the same.  Here he is shooting his bow. Sorry for missing full draw by a hair and getting it at a bad angle but you get the idea. I'll get better full draw pictures when I do the final photo shoot.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AxcgyGF7Z4M/VQJfBbyxo4I/AAAAAAAABHs/-6uu1A1mDQc/w269-h577-no/DSCN8798.JPG)

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Aaron H on March 13, 2015, 07:40:12 am

Great bow Weylin.  I'm sure the owner is very pleased.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: lesken2011 on March 13, 2015, 07:45:02 am

Good stuff, Weylin. Thanks for spending the time.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on March 13, 2015, 07:54:45 pm

Awesome deal, looking great Weylin.  Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: portlandfire on March 14, 2015, 01:22:22 am

   Beautiful bow and a very helpful build along.  Thank you.

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Markus on March 14, 2015, 10:03:28 am

Turned out very nice. :D Markus

Title: Re: Yew Hunting Bow Build-a-long
Post by: Weylin on March 27, 2015, 09:26:18 pm

Ok, I have a horrible confession to make...  :-\  After I finished putting tru oil on this bow I got excited about finishing it and I went into it full throttle forgetting to take any pictures of the last stages. So unfortunately I can't show you what I did to polish the finish or put on the arrow rest and handlewrap. Here is a link to the finished pictures. If anyone has any questions about the last part I'm happy to answer them in detail. Sorry guys.  :'(

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,52025.0.html