Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: gilcd85 on March 18, 2020, 04:03:59 pm

Title: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 18, 2020, 04:03:59 pm
Hi All, I am new to bow making and started out trying to build a Red Oak board bow. I made it 64'' and would like to draw it to 29'' @40# but it seems to fight me a little when going over 26-27'' draw (the picture is ~24-25'' draw).
Is there an equation for board bow length vs. draw length? Am I being too easy on my bow?

Thank you!



Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 18, 2020, 04:25:46 pm
The tiller looks darn good. Of course, with boards the vital statistic is the grain.
So double your draw and add 10-20 %.
Looks like you've reached the end of the draw. Sounds like the bow is stacking.
More on my site.
Jawge
http://traditionalarchery101.com

Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 18, 2020, 05:02:30 pm
Thank you very much for the answer George!

When you say double the draw length + 10-20%, is this for the overall length of the bow or from nock to nock? If I draw 29 I should be going with ~70'' overall length (29*2=59*1.2 = 69.6)?
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: ajbruggink on March 18, 2020, 07:29:00 pm
Thank you very much for the answer George!

When you say double the draw length + 10-20%, is this for the overall length of the bow or from nock to nock? If I draw 29 I should be going with ~70'' overall length (29*2=59*1.2 = 69.6)?

I usually take it to mean overall length not nock to nock length but not everyone does everything the same way :) I measure all my bows by overall length :)

Aaron
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: Woodely on March 18, 2020, 10:28:20 pm
Ya should of had more trasiisiton coming out of the fade for starters,  that's my 2 bits worth.   Other that it is fine.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 19, 2020, 03:36:06 am
Thank you all for your advises! These will go a long way when I get to work on my next bow!

Woodely, you mention more transition is required coming out of the fades. Are you referring to the thickness? Should it be bending more around the fades?
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 19, 2020, 07:43:10 am
Double your draw length and add 10" will work for you, your fades out of your handle are pretty abrupt, extend them another inch on each end and your handle is more likely to stay on.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: bassman on March 19, 2020, 08:28:22 am
I would taper the handle down from the middle both ways so that the bow is working through the handle. Maybe even make it a D shape bow to get you to your draw length , and narrow the width of the bow a bit, and tiller as you go.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: Woodely on March 19, 2020, 11:47:44 am
Thank you all for your advises! These will go a long way when I get to work on my next bow!

Woodely, you mention more transition is required coming out of the fades. Are you referring to the thickness? Should it be bending more around the fades?

Yep...…………...basically what bassman Quoted.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 19, 2020, 12:36:54 pm
That would be for nock to nock. BUT all depends on the grain. Jawge
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: scp on March 19, 2020, 03:05:15 pm
I would taper the handle down from the middle both ways so that the bow is working through the handle. Maybe even make it a D shape bow to get you to your draw length , and narrow the width of the bow a bit, and tiller as you go.
This is exactly the way I would go. Make the bow bend in the whole handle at least a little and looks almost like the Sudbury bow.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 19, 2020, 09:16:30 pm
Thanks all! I think I will start another 70'' red oak bow and taper the handle like you proposed. I will post pictures as I make progress with it.

Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 26, 2020, 12:05:26 am
Here is my second attempt at a Red Oak board bow. This time I went with a 72'' (70'' NTN) with 2'' wide limbs tapering down to 1/2'' pyramid design.
The picture shows it drawn to ~27'' pulling 40# where it starts resisting going any further. Should I take more wood off near the fades to have them bending more?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: DC on March 26, 2020, 08:51:50 am
I would say no. It looks like most of the bend is already close to the fades. Mid to outer limb could bend more. Looks even though :D
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: PatM on March 26, 2020, 09:05:21 am
Needs the bend farther out the limbs.  Why is the back of the first one so roughed up?
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 26, 2020, 10:09:26 am
Thank you for your responses! Good thing I didn't work on getting the area around the fades bending even more!

PatM, it was my first bow and at that point I already knew it won't reach my full draw so I saved myself some finishing work  ;)
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: Russ on March 26, 2020, 10:17:25 am
the bending is from the fade like the others said and that's kinda worrying. its only your second bow tho, you did a better job on the handle. maybe make the transition go a bit longer but it looks good.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 26, 2020, 10:18:34 am
Got it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: scp on March 26, 2020, 01:52:58 pm
I will just start sanding it mainly outer 2/3 of limbs. I will also leave it stringed for several hours and shoot some arrows with it using shorter draw, say 24 inches. You are almost there.
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: gilcd85 on March 26, 2020, 02:00:45 pm
Leaving it drawn and shooting arrows is in order to set the tiller and see how the design holds?
Title: Re: Board Bow Advice
Post by: scp on March 27, 2020, 10:19:10 am
Leave the bow Just stringed, not drawn. It's a simple way to "train" the bow to bend. All wood self-bows get easier to be drawn longer after they are exercised.