Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jon Kaw on March 10, 2017, 04:48:13 pm

Title: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Jon Kaw on March 10, 2017, 04:48:13 pm
I finally finished up the hickory bow I was working on.  This is my third bow and my most successful so far.  66"NTN, 44#@28".  I lightly toasted the belly.  Cork arrow rest with deer hide grip and strike plate.  It took 1.5" of set which increases to 2" after a shooting session, but returns to 1.5" after a period of rest.  Good cast at hunting distances and quiet.
(http://i.imgur.com/3LEMoPd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/P3Uv3cC.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/hSgTZGq.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZfbyXEE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/SbESOmN.jpg)

Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: bubby on March 10, 2017, 04:56:03 pm
Thats too bad we have all had that happen, some constructive criticism,  the inner needed to bend more and the bottom limb can you see about mid limb that rather sharp bend? If that wasn't a hinge it was so close it was a cousin. Try and get the whole limb working on the next and the set will go down and the bow will last longer. Man it sucks when they go huh
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Morgan on March 10, 2017, 04:56:55 pm
I like it Jon. Title says it went boom, sure hope not.
Title: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Jon Kaw on March 10, 2017, 05:01:38 pm
I was at a friends house letting him try the bow out.  I had put about 200 arrows through it already.  He was drawing back when I heard a loud CRACK!  The bottom limb blew up.

(http://i.imgur.com/UvvadR7.jpg)

Post mortem exam shows a tiny knot on the back of the limb that I failed to notice during layout.  There was no indication of the knot on the belly.  I'm guessing it was too close to the edge of the limb.   :-\

(http://i.imgur.com/rgdlXOy.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/xFNNKXI.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2GbvqXw.jpg)

I want to thank everyone for their input as I was building this bow.  As I said at the beginning of the post, this is still my most successful build to date.  The folks on this site are a deep source of inspiration.
On to the next stave!   :OK
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: DC on March 10, 2017, 05:06:45 pm
I don't think you can blame yourself for that one. That is a major flaw that was hidden inside. Even if you had seen the knot it doesn't look like there was any outside indication of all that manky stuff inside. I had a similar thing happen with a piece of yew.
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Morgan on March 10, 2017, 05:12:51 pm
That's a shame. I agree that you aren't to blame for that one.
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Pat B on March 10, 2017, 05:14:06 pm
The break looks near where bubby said there was a hinge in the bottom limb. I'd say the internal flaw had a lot to do with the break but the hinge also contributed. It is very uncommon for hickory to have a tension failure. Did you cut and season the hickory yourself?
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Stick Bender on March 10, 2017, 05:21:54 pm
That sucks especially after you dressed it up , it happens the sooner you start another the sooner you will forget it, I keep my failures on a wall to remind me of what not to do there is always a reason why the failed it takes me a while some times to figured it out but there is always a reason .
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: PatM on March 10, 2017, 05:23:29 pm
Combination failure of hinge and overgrown defect.
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Jon Kaw on March 10, 2017, 05:29:23 pm
No, Pat, I bought the stave.  It was split in '14.  I'm sure my flawed tiller did contribute to the fail.  But I'm getting closer. ;)
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Pat B on March 10, 2017, 05:38:34 pm
Jon, other than the minor flaw on your part(hinge) and the major internal flaw you did a fine job with this bow.  :OK
Great attitude too!   8)
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: BowEd on March 10, 2017, 05:53:43 pm
There's still a silver lining out there.
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 10, 2017, 06:44:31 pm
could there be a bit to much ring violation at that spot,, looks like a pin knot flattend out, hard to tel in the photo,, I once heard that when a plane crashes from Pilot errer,, it is usally not one thing but at least 3 contributing causes,, maybe the same with a bow,,when it blows,, (W
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: DuBois on March 10, 2017, 07:19:12 pm
Dang it man!
Well as you say, on to the next  ;)  :BB
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: osage outlaw on March 10, 2017, 09:29:37 pm
Time to start on a new one  :BB
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: bubby on March 10, 2017, 09:45:04 pm
Wow the new emoticons are getting popular😉 :KN
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Selfbowman on March 10, 2017, 09:50:12 pm
Get back on the horse that threw you and ride as soon as possible. To near ya to hear ya. Been there and done that.  It only gets better . Arvin
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: loon on March 10, 2017, 10:23:54 pm
It looked pretty whip tillered..
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: bushboy on March 11, 2017, 09:36:44 am
Hickory is Uber tough stuff.yes internal flaw,perhaps fungus and a weak bottom limb.the full draw shows the top limb towards you and the bottom away.turn the pic upside down and it is easier to see.building wooden bows is an exercise of determination!good luck on the next one!
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: bjrogg on March 11, 2017, 09:50:05 am
Sorry for your loss. I would have to agree with tillering advice. One thing I might add is as much as you'd love someone else to enjoy the thrill of shooting your bow it can be a bad idea. I've had people who I told don't draw past your corner of mouth and they assured me they wouldn't then drew once to corner of mouth smiled and then drew to ear. Didn't break my bow but sure wasn't good for it either.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: Bob W. on March 11, 2017, 11:54:50 am
Nice job, learn and move on!
Title: Re: Everything looked so good...then BOOM!
Post by: dragonman on March 14, 2017, 10:40:27 am
too much bend concentrated in too small an area....unseen flaw in the wood....letting someone else draw your bow....all contributed to the failure.....but "failures are the pillars of success"....so learning is a positive thing...your next one will be better