Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 02:47:00 pm

Title: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 02:47:00 pm
  this bow is made from a limb my friend gave me,, cut in his back yard,,it had a few spots that were challenging,,some snakey twist laterally and up and down,, I tried to bend some sideways twist out of it a popped a big splinter off the side,, so I stopped while I still had some wood for that limb,,and just proceeded to make the bow as is,, I put extra sinew on a knot that was close to the edge,,after putting on two moderate layers of sinew it cracked pretty bad on belly,( I didnt put tape on belly)
  since I was really just learning and experimenting I didnt wait to long on sinew to dry,, less that two weeks,, strung and tillered best I could,,its not pretty,, I think the bow is pretty,, but the tiller is not picture perfect for sure,,
  the bow is 41 inches nock to nock
  I drew it to 19 1/2 and it was about 53# I thought is shot well for the short power stroke,, sending a 424 grain arrow 159 fps,,
ok that is the weight arrow I had invisioned I would hunt with a 23 inch maple shaft,, and felt it was adequate for deer at that speed so was impressed with the Juniper wood for making a short bow,, I have been shooting it quite a bit and it is harder to master a good shot,, but at close range hunting shots it would be effective,, I ordered a stave from Chuck,, so I can try a longer bow,, 48 inches or so,,so I really enjoyed learning a bit about the wood,,here are some pices, and I will take a full draw and better side profile for you,,
   I painted the sinew with acrylic and the handle is rawhide from african drum repair,, the one photo has an arrow and a small piece of paper I was shooting at,, when I did a good shot,,
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 02:49:49 pm
the belly crack inspired me to paint a snake over it,,and the sinew wrap is over the knot I was concerned about,, has held up fine for now,, I have been shooting it every day, ,and plan to grouse hunt with it, in Sept,, more photos to come thanks for your patience,,
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: JW_Halverson on August 24, 2020, 02:53:00 pm
That bow's no bigger than a buck snort!
 
Sure you ain't gonna need a concealed weapon permit to carry it??? 

Can't wait to see more pics of it in action. Nice work!
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 02:58:08 pm
your Right,, it is small but thats all I had so gave it a try,,now im hooked on Juniper,,
here some  pics of the snakey profile and reinforced nocks,, the sinew was still wet in the photo,,  its does not like a longer arrow,, the Sioux average 23 inch arrow seems to work best,,I am just learning,,  I forgot to add it holds a bit of reflex,, I did not try to induce any,, the Juniper seems to respond well to the sinew ,,Chuck told me if I put tape on the belly it wont crack like that,,
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 05:40:05 pm
more pics of bow in progress,, it was fun to make,,I didnt expect it to shoot that well,, )P(
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: Pat B on August 24, 2020, 05:50:43 pm
Brad, you know the draw weight?  Cool little bow.  :OK
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 06:26:41 pm
about 53#@ 19 1/2  thanks,,
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 09:51:17 pm
more pics,, I was really getting cocky bout my juniper bow,, ;D
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Pat B on August 24, 2020, 10:04:55 pm
Hey, I've done that before with a little yew paddle bow a few years ago.  ;D  It sure will get your heart pounding.
Sorry for your loss.   :(
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 24, 2020, 10:07:08 pm
thanks Pat,, it did get my attention,,,, ;D
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: willie on August 25, 2020, 12:02:12 am
dang, it looked like a nice grouse hunting plan.....

how thick was the sinew at the breaks?
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Del the cat on August 25, 2020, 01:40:41 am
Real shame she blew.. I thought it was real pretty.. proper primitive  :'(
Del
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bjrogg on August 25, 2020, 05:35:30 am
RIP little one.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 25, 2020, 07:22:43 am
Pity.  It was a good looking bow.  Pain in the A when that happens, unless it hits you in the head then it's a headache :-)
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 25, 2020, 07:32:45 am
thanks Guys, I am only a little discouraged, will try again and be a bit more careful,,  )P(
the full draw pic didnt come out as expected,,,but bow making can keep you on your toes,,
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: DC on August 25, 2020, 09:56:42 am
Ouch. Was it a light layer of sinew?
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 25, 2020, 10:26:18 am
yes I got lazy and only put two layers,, I will do more next time,,
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Santanasaur on August 25, 2020, 04:26:11 pm
RIP! That little bow was awesome, I bet it would still make some cool wallhanger art
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bentstick54 on August 25, 2020, 04:59:37 pm
Was sure a nice looking bow. Sorry it didn’t hold together. Glad you were not hurt. Hopefully next attempt will be more successful.
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Will B on August 25, 2020, 07:26:04 pm
I really liked how you finished that sinew-backing. Sorry it came apart on you and glad you didn’t get hurt. Really like your bows!
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: JW_Halverson on August 25, 2020, 07:38:39 pm
To coin a phrase, AWW SNAP!

Dagnab it. I was hoping to see this propped on a deer later this year!
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: loefflerchuck on August 25, 2020, 09:41:04 pm
 I have bows that have multiple cracks up both limbs as well as cracks in the side under the sinew. They can be ignored. Just tension cracks from the shrinking sinew pulling the bow apart while holding it together. You can avoid them with belly duct tape and tapered sinew on the sides.
  Anyway.. I have a perfect reflexed 56" stave heading your way. It should make any bow you choose.Good luck!!
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Pappy on August 26, 2020, 05:42:11 am
To bad Brad, that was a sweet looking little thing. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: sleek on August 30, 2020, 04:16:41 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! No, seriously. The more pieces a bow C.R.U.D.'s out in, the better a job you did on the tiller. You did a great job on the build, the wood just failed, it wasn't a failure on your part. So, again, congrats, you did a fantastic tiller job.
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 30, 2020, 04:25:10 pm
thank you Sleek, way to look on the positive,, I got a nice stave from Chuck,, its amazing so I gonna try again,,
I really just having fun,, and enjoyed sharing the process with you guys,, I have some other short bows for grouse so dont worry,, get to go next week and hope to post some pics of bows and grouse,,, :)
Title: Re: 41 inch Juniper bow,,full draw added
Post by: Stixnstones on August 30, 2020, 06:26:43 pm
 Sorry for your loss, that was a cool lookin stik