Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Pat B on February 14, 2023, 02:36:31 pm

Title: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Pat B on February 14, 2023, 02:36:31 pm
This bow was built from a stave that was left on an island in the Missouri River for 15 years after it was cut. Josh(gun doc?) sent me the stave to see if I could build a bow from this badly checked osage stave. The checks were long and went all the way through the stave. After some effort and lots of super glue "Island Girl" was born...
(https://i.imgur.com/7Pf0UhP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2aGqbcz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rQvcvQ6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/i4wTjt8.jpg)
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: bentstick54 on February 14, 2023, 03:14:19 pm
Beautiful bow, and great example Pat. I would think that if the bow was tillered with cracks or checks running with the grain, and they are sealed from moisture getting, the bow should be good as the stresses will be spread out in the wood evenly anyway. Kind of like wood swirling around knots and knot holes. Nice to see some proof.
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Selfbowman on February 14, 2023, 03:38:20 pm
Pat you was young then.🤠
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 14, 2023, 03:44:50 pm
They are running in the right direction, that's for sure. Carp skins were cool. I'd like to get more, but the work involved isn't worth the return.
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Will B on February 14, 2023, 04:10:56 pm
Cool bow, Pat. Gives me hope for some badly checked Osage I have in my shed rafters.
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 14, 2023, 05:03:35 pm
Pat, that is a delightful bow ...I'm running out of adjectives for your bows. :) Jawge
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on February 14, 2023, 05:08:34 pm
Beautiful,,  :) I love osage
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: osage outlaw on February 14, 2023, 05:36:48 pm
Great job on that bow Pat.  Those are some big checks.  Pearl Drums made one for me that has a check running the entire length of the limb.  He named it "Crack Who.."  ;D  It's a hard shooting bow. 
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Pat B on February 14, 2023, 06:44:11 pm
Thanks guys. I love working on "troubled" staves. They teach you a so much. This bow's name is "Island Girl" and the little sister I took off one side of the stave is "Gidget". Haven't heard from Josh in a long time so I don't know how they are holding up.
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: bjrogg on February 14, 2023, 07:05:49 pm
Makes it easier to follow the grain laying it out. Nice bow Pat

Bjrogg
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: superdav95 on February 14, 2023, 07:42:00 pm
 Very cool bow pat.  I personally love the look of that bow with the glue line.  It gives me some ideas of my own for some of my badly checked stave that was thinking we’re firewood.  I’m thinking I could mix some dye into the ca glue or luminous dye for a cool effect too.  So many ideas so little time.  Very cool result though with a questionable stave.  Well done sir
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Del the cat on February 15, 2023, 03:45:19 am
Sweet.. :)
Del
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Pappy on February 15, 2023, 08:26:57 am
Nice one Pat, I miss gun doc, haven't heard from him in a while, I call him every year as Beau and I go through Kansas on the way to Colorado , called last year and he has went in business for himself and staying busy.
 Pappy
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Stickhead on February 15, 2023, 03:31:45 pm
Nice save, Pat!  I think it would have spent another 15 years in the corner of my shop waiting for inspiration if I had it.
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Thorsten on February 16, 2023, 04:51:25 am
I realy like the finish and details on your bow, the story behind the stave is great

There's only one question; on PA it's all about tiller and when I look at the fulldraw pic I asked myself if the tiller on your bow pat B is the result of the superglue (middel) line or is it "just" the way it is? The lower limp seem to me in a more circle like arc, whereas the upper in a more oval like?
(Hope it works with the pic i'm trying to upload…)
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: superdav95 on February 16, 2023, 09:39:19 am
Thorston.  There maybe a few things going on here.  It may be that the bow is canted a bit or that the bottom limb is slightly stiffer which is normal to do.  It also could be the limb that has the heavy glue line and purposely left a touch stiffer due to this.  Many possibilities. 
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2023, 09:40:45 am
Thorsten, I think I was lucky getting it tillered at all. I wasn't worried about being out of perfect tiller but whether I could get it to hold up at all.
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: bjrogg on February 16, 2023, 09:48:41 am
I think you might be a little bit up the string with your grip too.
 
That might make the top limb look stiffer.

Bjrogg
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Thorsten on February 17, 2023, 03:18:30 am
@ Pat, the lucky one is allways the winner; my reply wasn't a critic, but since I only finished a dozen bow by now I curious about it all

 @superdav95, it helps me a lot, when things are explained - thank you!

At the moment I'm working on my first Hickory bow and after steambending the tipp, repairing to cracks, the tiller is not symetric any more and Imhaven't got a glue where this comes from… so maybe I leave it as it is, cause it shoots 170f/s and to where I aim ;-)
Title: Re: Worried about checks in your bow?
Post by: Pat B on February 17, 2023, 10:45:59 am
Thorsten, if you don't ask questions how are you supposed to learn. I don't mind criticism and I post my work here for all to scrutinize, criticize and even admire so don't feel bad about it. Like we always say here the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.
If you have checks(running with the grain) on your bow, unless they run off the limb they are usually only a cosmetic problem and not a structural one. If they concern you, you can put a wrap at each end of the check if it is long or in the middle is it is short.
 
 Brian, I have the nock point set at 1/4" above horizontal. That seem to be where she shoots best. Also, the top limb has that knot that runs across the limb about 12" below the tip and I left it a bit thicker at that knot. I'm kind of expect that knot to be the end of this bow but I'll jump off that bridge when I get there.