Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Badger on August 15, 2020, 11:18:08 am
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I built two bows last week, both boo backed yew recurves. The first one took a bit more set than I wanted so I built a second one with a few changes, shorter handle and fades and a little less reflex to start.
The second one I was pretty happy with so I figured I was good to go for this years broadhead bow. Every time I looked at these bows they appeared to have taken more set than I originally measured. At first I thought I must have measure wrong so I didn't think much of it but as each day went by it kept getting worse. This morning I checked them again and there was no mistaking that they were taking on set just sitting! The first one went from 2" reflex to 1/2" follow. The second one went from 3" reflex to 1" reflex so far and I expect tomorrow it will be even worse.
I sat there scratching my head for about 5 minutes before the light went on. I had a complete senior moment. I had completely ignored the fact that I had steamed these limbs and then glued them up and finished them while still wet. As they dry they dry on the outside first shrinking on the outside I assume. Not sure what is going to happen when the inside finally dries. I can't believe I zoned out like that. I guess it is time I have top admit to myself I am now a senior citizen and allow myself a bit more thinking time!
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Got to start making a list and checking it twice! Measure twice before measuring twice, then " Cut once!" Welcome to the "old guy club"!
Hawkdancer
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Rule number one--don't rush :D I break it all the time and it usually bites me.
Did you glue in any reflex or steam it all in?
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Rule number one--don't rush :D I break it all the time and it usually bites me.
Did you glue in any reflex or steam it all in?
On the second one I glued in a couple inches. If I can quickly round up another chunk of yew I still have time to do one more.
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I just measured the Boo OS which has been drying for a few days and it did the same thing, only about 1/4" of reflex loss but all it's done is dry. It lost 1 gram in 3-4 days.
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Steve, can you clamp them back in the form and let them dry more? Maybe they will hold a little reflex or at least be flat.
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Steve, can you clamp them back in the form and let them dry more? Maybe they will hold a little reflex or at least be flat.
Exactly what I am planning to do. Just going to lash them down with some blocks under the ends
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Are you thinking that was the cause of most of the set?
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It's ok to think fast... but usually better to make bows slow.
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Are you thinking that was the cause of most of the set?
I think so Don, funny thing was before I cut up the block of yew I was careful to check the moisture. But after I steamed it for some reason moisture never crossed my mind again. I made another mistake on the same bow that worked out ok. After I bans sawed the limbs out of the block I always flatten them on the sander. I completely forgot to flatten them. As it worked out the bandsaw cuts were nice and straight and I ended up with flawless glue lines anyway but it could have been a real problem.
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One of the reasons I much prefer dry heat for reflexing
Depending on the glue you could clamp them down on a form belly side up and use dry heat. Risky but...........
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I think the lightly dry heat will help them return to normal,,but never tried it,, so if it blows up I didnt say that,,
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One of the reasons I much prefer dry heat for reflexing
Depending on the glue you could clamp them down on a form belly side up and use dry heat. Risky but...........
I used smooth on so it will take some heat. Nothing to loose
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Probably best to do that outside and wear goggles and a safety helmet :)
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I recently took a $125 osage stave down to one ring on the back then took it over to the bandsaw to remove some of the belly and cut in the thicker handle. I was 2/3 of the way done when I realized I was removing the back and had ruined the stave. Don’t feel too bad Steve.
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I recently took a $125 osage stave down to one ring on the back then took it over to the bandsaw to remove some of the belly and cut in the thicker handle. I was 2/3 of the way done when I realized I was removing the back and had ruined the stave. Don’t feel too bad Steve.
I did something similar a few months ago, I was rounding off the belly with my belt sander and cut right through the back pretty deep, so far ok but I don't trust it.
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only takes one wrong move with a power tool to ruin a stave or bow. Patience, Grasshopper! ;)
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I feel your pain Steve. I think we all have those moments in life. I had two this last weekend. They keep us around for humor. Arvin
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I never make mistreaks like thet ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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only takes one wrong move with a power tool to ruin a stave or bow. Patience, Grasshopper! ;)
Don’t have to use power tools to screw up. I can do it with hand tools to. Rasped in arrow shelf for a lefty on a righty bow before.
Interesting problem you ran into Steve.
Bjrogg
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Yeh, when you're a lefty like me you end up making ambidextrous bows with glued on shelves...
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im still making the super big mistakes that i dont even know how to avoid or if their even mistakes!!!! lol