Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: GB on March 05, 2016, 01:07:27 am

Title: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: GB on March 05, 2016, 01:07:27 am
This is my latest bow.  I wanted to try a mild R/D profile.  It's 65" NTN, weighs 16 ounces, and draws 45#.  I went with a long red elm power lam instead of a full core lam.
This is the second one that I've used ERC for the belly and I'm pretty impressed with the wood.  Both of them have taken very little set.
F/d was taken before I put the finish on.  Thanks for looking.

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc5_zpsu9jamumi.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc7_zps31rl1cew.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc6_zpsrx1ghpng.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc4_zpsjtzg1nkb.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc3_zps7uzcijpk.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc2_zpsvynjpg4i.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc8_zpsld6fyehv.png)
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: sieddy on March 05, 2016, 01:18:47 am
Wow! Helluva nice bow you've made yourself there mate. The wood looks stunning, the unstrung profile is great and that full draw looks wicked!  :)
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Chief RID on March 05, 2016, 05:01:33 am
I do not understand most of what you said but the bow is elegant and really looks like a performer. Power lam and full lam? Thanks so much for sharing.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 05, 2016, 07:08:28 am
Good looking bow.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Steve Milbocker on March 05, 2016, 08:10:33 am
I've been eyeballing some cedar while out and about. Nice job on that one
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: osage outlaw on March 05, 2016, 08:17:55 am
Nice work!
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: BowEd on March 05, 2016, 08:18:12 am
You bet.Been waiting myself for this one.That's a sweet looking bow.Nice job on that.Hope mine with ERC core I'm doing turns out just close to that.I'd be satisfied.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: BowEd on March 05, 2016, 08:24:47 am
I see you stained your hickory.Looks pretty good.Looks great all around.I'm not sure what I'll do on mine.That's figuring mine becomes a shooter.....lol.ERC has haunted me in the past.Do you have a braced pic too?
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: hunterbob on March 05, 2016, 10:58:07 am
That's a beuty.  Love the looks of erc
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: wizardgoat on March 05, 2016, 02:06:51 pm
Nice bow GB
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: GB on March 05, 2016, 02:18:26 pm
Thanks guys!  I'll post a picture of it braced, Ed.  I used aniline dye on the hickory.
Red elm is the stuff that haunts me.  I've tried 3 times and can't make a bow from it.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: GB on March 05, 2016, 03:00:08 pm
Here it is braced.

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hberc10_zpsvtbyqkpt.png)

Good luck with yours, Ed, looks like you're off to a good start.  I really like the way aniline dye looks on maple, too, if you go that route.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: ---GUTSHOT---> on March 05, 2016, 03:26:32 pm
That's a nice bow
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Stixnstones on March 05, 2016, 03:54:04 pm
Real nice work
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Drewster on March 05, 2016, 08:48:44 pm
Good look'in bow.  Nice bend and finish as well. 
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: BowEd on March 05, 2016, 09:58:03 pm
GB....If mine makes it it'll have same braced profile.Hav'nt decided on what I'm gonna finish it with yet.I figure it to be a target bow mostly.Yours looks deadly with those  limbs with those narrow tips.I'll agree with ya about red elm.The red elm here I think is junk.I like winged elm though Oughta try that once.It's as hard as hickory.Too bad it does'nt grow here.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: GB on March 05, 2016, 10:54:22 pm
I'd like to try a different species of elm someday.  The lumberyard I go to usually has a few gray elm boards, but I haven't found one nice enough for a bow.  One of the guys on here has posted a lot beautiful, wicked looking elm selfbows.  I hope they aren't red elm, 'cuz then I'm really going to feel bad. :)
Thanks again, guys.  It means a lot coming from this group of bowyers.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Redhand on March 06, 2016, 08:44:02 am
That's a good looking bow. Job well done.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Aaron H on March 06, 2016, 07:00:49 pm
Great bow, well done!
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: LittleBen on March 06, 2016, 10:14:52 pm
I really like that bow. Nicely done.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Pappy on March 07, 2016, 06:29:01 am
Beautiful bow, very nice work. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Springbuck on March 10, 2016, 12:00:34 pm
I do not understand most of what you said but the bow is elegant and really looks like a performer.

Chief, when you make a laminated bow, you either start with a backing, a handle/riser block, and a THICK belly lam (so you have enough thickness at the handle to form fadeouts, so the handle block won't flex and pop off),     OR,  you use a backing, a THINNER belly lam (less waste) and place a short lamination, tapered on both ends, between the backing and the belly.  This sort of builds the middle up, stiffens it so it acts as a fadeout, and you can glue the handle block on.  That has come to be called a "power lam".  It's usually only about 1/8-3/16" thick, and tapers to paper thin gradually.  It might be, say, 14" long if you plan on a 10" handle, and the handle is usually sloped into fades, too.

A full lam would just be another thin full length lamination between backing and belly lam, again to save expensive/hard to find belly wood, or just for looks. 
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Chief RID on March 10, 2016, 03:17:17 pm
I've seen that. I think it is very appealing to go with it's usefulness. Thanks for the explanation, Springbuck.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: medicinewheel on March 11, 2016, 04:04:28 am
Dang...this is a nice bow really!
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: GB on March 12, 2016, 12:07:11 am
Great explanation of the power lam, Springbuck.  I probably make mine longer than a lot of guys do and probably longer than I need to.  The one on this bow was 32".  I just like the smooth transition you get with a longer taper.  But this is only the second one I've done and I'll probably experiment with a shorter one next time I make a lam bow.  Figuring the thicknesses of the lams with all the different backers and belly woods available and how to get the profile you want is always interesting to me.
Anyway, thanks again for the kind words guys.
Title: Re: Hickory backed ERC
Post by: Stoner on March 12, 2016, 10:29:32 pm
Your bow is exceptional !!! I have a ERC stave that was given to me back in Michigan in 2012. I have not known what to do with it, but now with your hickory backing you got me thinking. I have been concerned that it is too dry being out here in Arizona. John