Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Del the cat on July 05, 2021, 12:31:55 pm
-
I made this Bamboo backed Yew lever bow with some glued in deflex and 9" levers laminated from steam bent Yew strips.
60# @ 26" but it's been pulled a bit past that. (Not sure how much further it would draw ::) )
This has been a long term project (There's an 18 part playlist on youtube :o ) ... I made an Ash mock up first to get the lever geometry right. Getting the string to track nicely was the major problem.
It shot well, but when I lightened the levers, it dropped the string, the bow flexed the wrong way and snapped the Yew belly :o
But you know me, I didn't let that stop me, I gently flexed it the wrong way, flooded it with Cascamite, and left it under tension to cure with a couple of clamps on it.
I still had to do a lot of work to sort out the string tracking, (I dropped a bit of draw weight too), but I got it shooting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGh0a3aQvJI
The whole project was a major learning exercise, I'll try it with some flight arrows sometime.
It certainly demonstrates that even simple joints can hold up as long as they are in compression.
Del
Note:- The break propagated at a small block of Yew that I'd let in on the corner of belly and side to repair a tiny area of rot/knot. This probably helped to get a nice clean repairable break.
-
I've been following along on youtube, great series. Those are massive levers, getting it to work at all was a major achievement.
Mark
-
Awesome job, thats crazy! Gotta cjeck out the youtubes and see it all happen
-
Health warning, these posts may contain traces of nut.
Maybe quite a few traces here. :o
Just joking that looks like an excellent build. :)
-
Been following with interest. Wasn't sure you were going to be able to salvage after the mishap. Certainly an inspiration on what "fixes" can be done by an accomplished bowyer. Very well done Del.
-
It's like a yew Manchu bow!!! What is the handshock like?
-
It's like a yew Manchu bow!!! What is the handshock like?
No noticeable handshock even with a 400gn arrow.
The first try out a week or so back was a tad uncomfortable as the grip was very square cornered, the draw heavier and I was shooting 250gn flight arrows ;D .
Del
-
My favorite style of bow. The wooden horn bow.
Can we see a close up of the siyah splice?
-
What are your thoughts on the design? Anything you would change if you were to do it again? I have had something somewhat similar in the back of my mind for a few weeks now.
-
I'd probably make the lever angle slightly less and maybe make then 1/2" shorter.
The bow has glued in deflex which I would keep.
If I wanted to push the design, I'd first test this one to destruction.
If you are thinking of try this design I'd recommend making a mock up version first, to check out the geometry.
This video shows the light weight mock up:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arsk7Kt4vXM&list=PLBz2tD9476KTNwI1pQFjACWWL3RynxP_A&index=4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arsk7Kt4vXM&list=PLBz2tD9476KTNwI1pQFjACWWL3RynxP_A&index=4)
Del
-
Great thread Del.Thanks for taking the time to show the process.
-
I'd probably make the lever angle slightly less and maybe make then 1/2" shorter.
The bow has glued in deflex which I would keep.
If I wanted to push the design, I'd first test this one to destruction.
If you are thinking of try this design I'd recommend making a mock up version first, to check out the geometry.
This video shows the light weight mock up:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arsk7Kt4vXM&list=PLBz2tD9476KTNwI1pQFjACWWL3RynxP_A&index=4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arsk7Kt4vXM&list=PLBz2tD9476KTNwI1pQFjACWWL3RynxP_A&index=4)
Del
Thanks Del, it really is a fantastic bow. I don't usually watch videos of bowyers, but I think I'll watch your video series on this one.
-
Nice bow..glad to see you still makin em
-
Nice bow..glad to see you still makin em
Cheers, yeah, I've been a bit quiet on here lately and not made as many this last year. Have been learning blues harmonica tho' ...
I'll play a bit if you like... why is everyone running away? ::) ;D
Del