Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DuBois on July 20, 2016, 06:40:27 pm

Title: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: DuBois on July 20, 2016, 06:40:27 pm
First of 3 staves from Grandpas old fence post. Started with the worst one for practice. I'm really loving working on this one. I tried heating out that big kink in the lower but it just didn't want to leave and I gave up.
61" n-n
7" handle

Finished pics page 3. This is just for comparison due to big set mostly in upper limb.

40 @ 28"
Title: Re: Tiller check please
Post by: DuBois on July 20, 2016, 07:21:24 pm
short drawn
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 20, 2016, 07:27:06 pm
front
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Fred Arnold on July 20, 2016, 07:34:38 pm
 8) My eyes tell me you are close because of the unstrung profile. Let me finish my glass of Barefoot Shiraz and I'll do a double take.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 20, 2016, 08:32:49 pm
Shiraz hell hope I'm close :o
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Fred Arnold on July 20, 2016, 08:46:10 pm
You are not close but should you ever be you are more than welcome.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Fred Arnold on July 20, 2016, 08:57:39 pm
I've got one of those been curing for years, just not ready for it yet though this one will be a 20 some #'r for one of the grand kids.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 20, 2016, 09:30:25 pm
Well if I ever get around there I will sure look you up Fred. Nice old stave.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Fred Arnold on July 20, 2016, 09:53:53 pm
Bring your saw and your truck. I'll send you home with some hackberry, mulberry, black walnut, and maybe some elm.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: mwosborn on July 20, 2016, 09:55:40 pm
That is a cool piece of wood!  It is looking good so far.  That "kink" in the lower limb makes tillering a bit harder.  Top limb is looking good to me in the brace picture as well as the short draw picture.  The bottom limb looks to be bending hard at that dark spot 3 boards up from the bottom tip (brace pic) and in the short draw.  It looks stiff below (about a board width) and above this to me.  Before removing a bunch of wood though, I would get a few more opinions!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Fred Arnold on July 20, 2016, 10:43:38 pm
Yup, from the bottom of the handle fade section down to the knot where the limbs are uneven thickness.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: PlanB on July 20, 2016, 11:20:34 pm
That's a wonderful looking stick, DuBois.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Weylin on July 21, 2016, 02:46:12 am
Wow, that's a cool stave, and a tricky one. It's hard enough for me to tiller those buggers when I have it in my hands but even harder when all I have is some pictures. I use my fingers to make sure there is a consistent taper. I trust them more than I trust my eyes on wiggly staves. I would be paying attention to the bottom mid limb and looking out for a potential hinge forming there. Unless my eyes are tricking me it seems like that area is coming around a lot more than any other area, but it's hard to tell for sure. Keep us updated. Good luck.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: simson on July 21, 2016, 04:26:38 am
Good advice above from master Weylin.
When I work on staves like this, I bring first the limbs in balance (looking at the side profile). Or in other words, I would heat in an equal reflex in both limbs using a caul. This makes tillering a lot easier ...
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 21, 2016, 08:44:39 am
Looks good to me. Just remember that "kinked" areas need to bend just as much as the rest of the limb.  That's what makes them hard to tiller
Jawge
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 21, 2016, 09:58:30 am
Ok,
Thanks fellas.
Mitch and Weylin, I am seeing it more now where you 2 are looking and I think after a little there it will be right on.

Weylin, I am trying to improve on going with fingers for feel of thickness and taper and it seems to be very helpful. I'm not using a tiller tree on the last few but going with it in hand and mirror. I'll post progress as I get it.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Badger on July 21, 2016, 01:56:15 pm
   I had to look at this one real hard, those whoop de do's always throw me. I lack the artist eye. I think I would have attempted a little more heat to straighten it. I really like th top limb, I agree the whoop might be comming just a tad too much and I think the outer limb needs to bend just a tad more. But honestly I think Weylin has a better eye than I do.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 21, 2016, 02:37:00 pm
tried to get the tips moving a bit more and I think it is good now.
Pulling 30# at 22" and going for 26" so it is right where I want it. Gonna sand it and put some sinew wraps on a couple spots before I pull any more. Put a few arrows thru it and I like it!!
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 21, 2016, 02:39:49 pm
This post had bug damage and was very old. I tried to work around it all but still has some cracks.
Upper limb inner 1/3
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 21, 2016, 02:43:09 pm
Lower limb from fade almost mid limb and then a woopidy doo (flipped over) with some funk in it just after that. All been super glued up real good.
Not one tick sound so far  O:)
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on July 21, 2016, 03:01:09 pm
Get some pants on doobs!

Bow doesn't look too bad at all.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: BowEd on July 21, 2016, 03:31:30 pm
Your getting close.Lots of good character in those old posts.Nice work.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 21, 2016, 05:56:20 pm
PD, I put those on special for the pic buddy  8)

Thanks Beadman.

I'll post again when I get the sinew wraps on.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: sleek on July 21, 2016, 06:19:03 pm
Here is a kinky build i did and one of my favorite bows. Maybe it will help you. You should still see the kink in the final tiller.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,53758.msg729181/topicseen.html#msg729181
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 21, 2016, 08:01:03 pm
Cool bow Kevin. Thanks man.
Yeah, it gets my eyes messed up after a while trying to see and remember the character areas while drawing the bow but I think I am pretty close on it.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: sleek on July 21, 2016, 08:08:41 pm
I like it. Looks crazier than any bow i ever built!
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Swampman on July 21, 2016, 10:04:35 pm
Bow is looking good Marco.  Looks like a difficult one to tiller. You seem to be cranking out some bows. I never seem to get time to work on bows in the summer. 

Judging from your attire, it must be hot there too today.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: mwosborn on July 21, 2016, 10:40:38 pm
I am liking it Marco.

PD - you are a funny man!  I always get a kick out of your posts.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: Badger on July 22, 2016, 07:55:35 am
     Looking good!!
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on July 22, 2016, 10:11:46 am
Thanks for looking folks.
Yeah, I think I will sand it and put sinew wraps on today and let it rest a few days.
Bow is looking good Marco.  Looks like a difficult one to tiller. You seem to be cranking out some bows. I never seem to get time to work on bows in the summer. 

Judging from your attire, it must be hot there too today.
Yep, it's hot and I been scraping in the garage so had to run in for the wife to take a pic. Got the kids a little pool so I can keep an eye on em.
That dang bow trade caused me to start (or hurry up and finish) a batch of bows all at once and I think it has helped some with my tillering skills. I hope!
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: sleek on July 22, 2016, 11:00:41 am
That gnarly half rotten stick crippled with deformities is still in one piece. Id say your skills are on point.
Title: Re: Tiller check
Post by: DuBois on September 03, 2016, 04:30:42 pm
Took a lot of set in upper limb near and just past big knot but it shoots nice.
I like it and am glad it has survived as I expected it would for some reason as I worked this old fence post that I feel sure was left over for years by my Grandpa.
Sinew wraps due to rot, cracks and all. Still have 2 better splits off the post left to work someday.
Beaver tail handle. 11 growth rings from outside of post in handle to back of bow and a few more raised on tips. Bison hide wrap lower fade.
This bow was really peaceful to work on and I just thought about Gramps a lot and felt connected and guided.
It has a tiny pin in the handle dead center and as I hatcheted around the pass area I thought "guided by my ancestors" then I struck off the intended angle at that very moment and there was an old worm damage line exactly where the arrow pass ended up so I left it alone as a reference until handle finish time.
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: DuBois on September 03, 2016, 04:32:53 pm
More
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: DuBois on September 03, 2016, 04:35:22 pm
 ::)
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: sleek on September 03, 2016, 04:36:59 pm
I think I am in love!
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: DuBois on September 03, 2016, 05:00:40 pm
And...
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: bradsmith2010 on September 03, 2016, 06:09:14 pm
that turned out nice,, congrats, very nice work on the problem spots,,
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: Swampman on September 03, 2016, 06:16:58 pm
Wow!!
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: H Rhodes on September 03, 2016, 08:18:29 pm
Nice work on such a tough stave.  Tiller looks good.
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: osage outlaw on September 03, 2016, 09:15:00 pm
That is one gnarly chunk of firewood.  Great job finding a bow hidden inside of it.   Is that going to be in the BOM?
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: sleek on September 03, 2016, 10:00:05 pm
Doobs.... i love that bow. Outstanding work. Killer form btw. Sooo, you have any other staves like that?
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: Dictionary on September 03, 2016, 10:01:57 pm
Looks like a Badly Bent bow. Nice work getting something from that piece
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: DC on September 03, 2016, 11:31:11 pm
I wouldn't have thought you could get that stick to bend that evenly. Great job!
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: chamookman on September 04, 2016, 03:16:13 am
Way cool ! Bob
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: bjrogg on September 04, 2016, 05:45:20 am
Very impressive, beautiful new old bow, really turned out sweet I'm sure your grandpa loves it too
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: GB on September 04, 2016, 07:25:13 am
That's fine work on that gnarly piece of wood.  Very cool!
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: koan on September 04, 2016, 11:02:59 am
Very inspiring man!.. Ive got several staves from my grampas light pole that he hung a lamp on to play horseshoes.. Their full off nails, staples, humps, and twist.... Im gonna hafta dig em outa storage and give one a go 👍.... That bow looks awesome! Great way to honor your Gramps! I love bows with a story.... Brian
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: DuBois on September 04, 2016, 08:08:15 pm
Thanks everybody. This has to be the most rewarding bow so far for me.

Kevin, I do have a couple more and also some tightly snaked osage cut this spring from the same place the post was left leaning.

DC, thanks. I guess it is a good even bend but it did take a couple inches set that I think it may be due to the integrity of the wood from the rot/crack running along the limb...but it could be tillering too ;D

Clint, I don't think it is for BOM. That will hopefully be the sister to this bow.

Yeah Brian, it was a great way to pay respect and it made me realize even more how important he has been in the direction of my life. Thought a lot about my eldest sister who died this year also and was the reason for the trip back home in the first place.
Hope to see one from your staves someday.
Title: Re: Grandpas old post finished
Post by: sleek on September 04, 2016, 08:13:08 pm
Doobs, if you got more of that gnarly snakey stuff, and are willing to part with it, let me know what I got to do to get a piece.