Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on December 25, 2023, 07:47:50 pm
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All right, let’s see how we do, shall we? A trade for anyone who thinks they don’t have enough experience to enter the main bow trade, currently run by Kidder.
We want anyone to have a go. The purpose of the trade is to have fun, learn lots and get involved.
Of the bows I own, one of my favourites is a hickory Trade bow built by a junior. Under 18s are welcome but, If you are under 18 I will need to chat with your parents/guardians via email. If you have less than a year membership on PA we will need to chat via PM or email. I am aware of a few people on PA I’d love to have in the trade who have less than a year so please don’t be shy!
Osage and yew are nice and all but hazel, maple, hickory and all sorts make great bows, even scotch broom. I’m told a pair of hickory axe handles will make a decent billet bow, so timber shouldn’t prevent you entering.
I propose closing sign up January 21st with the Trade running to early June. That way you get a month off before the main trade starts :) ;) :D Post here with “I’m in” and let’s have some fun
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I hope this works out. I'm still too busy with building a garage and finishing up some other house related projects to commit to it, but I plan to make a bow or two in 2024 and this would be great if I can get in on the next one.
Mark
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Bump
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I’d be up for putting a good bow stave of yew to the best bow built for this trade. Or as an incentive for it.
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That is super generous, thank you so much. I reckon I could add in a box of small hardwood pieces for inlays, overlays or knife-scales or whatever
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Hey guys, I'll bite. I'm in.
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Wahoo
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I’ll do it too but I will abstain from any prizes or staves. Haven’t done a bow trade in a year.
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I’ve been looking at this and considering it. I’ve been on the site for a year or more but I don’t have a quote-unquote membership. So I’m guessing that I couldn’t enter?
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I guess answered my own question. I’m listed in the membership list.
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Hey Muskyman, you’ve been posting on PA for way over 12 months, you’re very welcome in this Trade.
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I'll play as long as the ship date is a ways out...I have only made perhaps 2, maybe 3 "successful" bows in my many, many years of being involved here. Too many hobbies :-)
Paul
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I was thinking shipping would be early June just before the main bow trade starts (working off last year’s dates), that’d give about a 5 month build time and maybe encourage some to transition into the main bow trade. A lot of people missed out on a good thing last year.
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im not sure how the bows will be graded as far as whos made the best one from this trade, however the piece of yew i have in my possession for the prize for this trade is 75 or so inches long, 2.5 inches wide and very straight with almost no undulations or wacky grain (i know no fun ;D) and its 1.5 inches thick. premium warbow stave if ive ever seen it. so take your time, make sure your tiller is good and have fun! post the stages! there are massive amounts of resources on this forum. try something different. good luck everyone!
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Very generous Mafort! Sounds like a good one.
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Well I picked thru my stash of wood and have a river birch stave that I roughed out over a year ago. Been stored ever since. 74" long, 2"wide at what will be the fades and 1" wide at tips. Should be plenty for an over-built, safe bow. Stave is clean except for one humpy knot area that I think I can deal with.
If it is an OK offering for this, someone say the word and I'll start working it. Are we making a bow for someone specific, like trying to "make to order"? Or are we just building a bow that is a good solid bow? I shoot lefty so I'll have to figure out a universal handle area...
Paul
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Hi Paul,
So, the way a trade works is that everyone sends me their details (I haven't asked for them yet) I put everyone's details into a hat and draw a random recipient - each member of the trade doesn't actually know for certain which bow is coming their way until it arrives on their porch....
By all means start roughing out a stave but you don't know how long/strong/which handed it needs to be yet. I also am a lefty - my workaround when building for right-hand is to make an ambidextrous grip
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There-s a week left to sign up, I will close sign up when I log-in Monday evening next week, and since I am in the UK, that probably means mid afternoon on Monday 22nd. Please don't cut it too fine, look at a deadline of midnight Sunday 21st January in whatever time-zone you happen to live in ;D
Come and play. The more the merrier - 5 months to build a bow and a really high chance of a few goodies along the way - go-on, you know you want to.
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The List so far.
PaulC
Mafort
Aaron1726
Muskyman
Sleek
Walski
Now we know for sure we have enough builders for this to work please PM me your postal address, and bow specs - left hand or right hand, approximate draw weight (this is a novices trade!) and draw length, oh, also, anywhere you will/will not ship to.
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I know it's predominantly for the newer crowd, but I was considering joining too. I haven't done one in a long time, would that be ok?
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Can only speak for myself but, it’s good with me.. more the merrier
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Sleek, I’d be proud to have you on board
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Just a couple of days left to sign up!
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Ok, I'll join. I'll shoot any bow weight at all. 25 pound to 100, I'm right handed, but feel free to make it without a rest so it can be shot with either hand. My draw is 26, but I can draw 28 comfortable as well.
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Last day for sign up. Come on in, the more the merrier!
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I’m good with anything and everything. I wanna see something ambitious of someone! And to the person who gets me for the trade sign your work! Be proud!! You guys are awesome
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Went through my staves that I’ve been drying since 9/22. Picked this one out for the trade. Seems to be knot free pretty much. Won’t know until I get it down to a ring. 75 inches long and a little over 2 inches wide at its narrowest spot. Decent growth rings
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Getting exciting! Only a few hours left…
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Can you add me in.
Thanks Steve
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Glad to Steve, gonna need your details though. Will draw names tomorrow, some stuff getting in the way right now >:( >:(
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Hands up who knew you could only send 5 PMs an hour? Me neither. Most names have been sent out. I’m only sending weight draw length and handed out as style depends on a lot of factors including wood the builder has available. Some of you might want to stalk your guy’s posts, some might just want to build something beautiful. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!
I haven’t sent addresses out because we all post together, like Lillo said Ohana means family and family means no body gets left behind or forgotten.. ;)
Please post to confirm you received your guy’s details.
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I’m only sending weight draw length and handed out as style depends on a lot of factors including wood the builder has available. Some of you might want to stalk your guy’s posts, some might just want to build something beautiful.
I'm not even in this, so I don't know if I should be commenting or not...
My impression of the blind bow trades is that a big part of the appeal is you get something unusual or different than you normally play with or make yourself and the mystery of what style/type/design of bow you end up with isn't known until the end.
Mark
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Got my individual. Got an idea about what I'm gonna build. Be interesting to see if it works out.
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Got mine too. I’ve made 6-8 bows and never had one break yet. So my biggest fear is that this will be the one. :BB Got a pretty decent stave marked out. Might back it with rawhide just in case (--)
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Will start working on mine...Paul
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Probably start on mine too. Don’t want to wait till the last minute. I might start two in case something happens to my first try. Nothing like a backup plan.
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Starting early on is a great idea, takes the pressure off, allows you to make more than one bow and choose the best.... :BB
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Got my stave out chased it down to a ring. I’ll probably go down to the next ring which is much thicker then where I’m at right now.. I took a belly split off the stave and in hindsight I wish I hadn’t. I thought I’d end up with 2 inches in the handle but it’s only about 1 1/2 and I’ll have to take some of that off. I might glue a piece on the handle but, not sure yet.
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Took it down to a better growth ring and laid it out.
Question about the knot in the photos. It’s in the handle/fade area and shouldn’t be bending at all.
Can I rasp that off flat and be okay? Or should I leave it? It’s going to be in the handle
Also will have a wrap, leather or jute. Haven’t decided yet.
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Do NOT put a knot in the fade. The fade does bend on every bow and is under the most stress of the whole bow. Try to pit the knot more in the handle or where the arrow will rest against it bit don't cut a shelf.
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Thanks sleek, if you look at the picture the knot is actually in the handle and I’m going to glue a piece onto that handle section to make it thicker. Also no shelf on the bow. I’ll look at it better once I get it shaped a little better and have a better idea of what the knot is doing.
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Ya I’d agree that sleek. you should avoid knots at the fades. I appears that it is in the handle from the pic that I’m looking at. If that is the case you are completely fine with rasping it and shaping. I’ve put knots at handles all the time when laying out a stave if I can to avoid the fades. Sleek is right about the fades area working too. Just because you don’t see it move much when bending if at all with naked eye doesn’t mean it ain’t workin.
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Thanks sleek, if you look at the picture the knot is actually in the handle and I’m going to glue a piece onto that handle section to make it thicker. Also no shelf on the bow. I’ll look at it better once I get it shaped a little better and have a better idea of what the knot is doing.
Lookin good mike. I’d say you’d be alright with your knot. If it ends up being a rotten knot hole after working and shaping it down you can always put a plug of similar wood as del has done before or even fill it with dyed resin which could be cool. If it’s a solid knot I would estimate you’d be fine with just shaping it.
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Knot is pretty solid. I’ll put a couple pictures of it on here. Flattened it off on the bottom and am going to glue a piece on the belly side to thicken it up a little bit. It’s probably a little over an inch right now. Don’t have any EA 40, would EA13 work okay or should I just order some and wait on it?
I think I’ll do that. Been meaning to get some anyway.
Thanks
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Haven’t seen a lot of updates! How’s everyone’s build comin along?
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I’ve been working on mine. Got the limbs shaped and down to about 5/8 or a fuzz more. It’s just starting to bend a bit. Got my EA 40 in the mail the other day and have my handle piece cut and flattened. Scored up both the bow and the handle piece and will probably glue it up in the next few days.
It doesn’t fit as w7ell as I would like but I’ve pretty much done all I can think of. Filed it pretty flat then onto the belt sander, both pieces. Not as good as I’d hoped so I took a card scraper to it and made it better. Couldn’t get it perfect so I quit with the best I could get it.
Probably thin the limbs a bit after that then do some straightening on the limbs..
It’s 70 inches long now and I might shorten it a little. Gonna put whitetail tip overlays on it I’m thinking. Maybe leather or elk hide handle wrap. Got a lot of time to figure it all out. Probably bend it with steam at first and finish it off with dry heat..
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Pretty sure these pics are crap but I've not yet figured out how to get good pics on my phone that'll fit on this site without using my desktop as intermediate step.....
What I'm currently thinking:
Im going to remove the latex paint I used to seal the back, before I do any more work on tiller. That way if there's an issue under the paint it'll reveal itself. I am assuming just enough lite sanding to reveal the grain..
The Limbs are moving pretty good from the work I've done on the belly. I am inclined to go to "short string" for next tiller session. How short is the short string? What I am currently using spans nock to nock w just a bit of slack. Shorten it so it's 3" shorter? 4" shorter?
And I recently watched a video on "authentic" Cherokee bows..nothing really to call a handle; just the midpoint of a shaped piece of wood...bending from tip to tip. Generally when I change horses in mid-stream it bites me in the backside but I'm sorely tempted to do away w my unformed handle...
So that's where I'm at. If these pics stink like I suspect I will clean them up tomorrow from my desktop. Your feedback would be appreciated.
Paul
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Pic test. Testing to see if flickr pictures post and look better
https://www.flickr.com/photos/198630468@N08/shares/eJ7Q2jR2hG
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Made a little headway today on mine. It's going to be a board bow since that's all I have to work with currently, but I wanted it to be more than just another board bow. I found 2 3ft 1.5x1.5" red oak boards with nice grain that matched each other pretty well. Spent today chasing a growth ring on the first one. Git it down to the crunchy early wood for a single ring. Next step is to get that layer off and then move to the next one. Plan is a z splice in the handle for oal of 68in.
BTW, Paul and muskyman, yall's are looking great so far!
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Forgot the pics....
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Here's my progress so far, heat treated and straighten the limbs, reduced the sapwood on the limbs, and now I'm ready to start tillering.
I'm starting early in case something happens with my bow, it'll give me time for another build.
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Looking good guys 👍
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True enough, I know mid winter isn’t the best time for building but it would be kinda nice to see some staves maybe
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It was 60 degrees here in Ohio today Stuckinthemud. I’ve been outside in a T-shirt cutting wood the last couple days. Now that’s not saying other folks are as fortunate as I have been but, Punxsutawney Phil did predict an early Spring 😁
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Did a little work on my trade bow today. Had glued the handle section on and worked on the fades and handle some. Also did some thinning on the limbs. Glue lines didn’t turn out the best but it is what it is. It’s bending more and will probably thin the limbs a little more before I try and do some straightening on them. It’s a little over a half inch at the mid-limb area.
First picture is a close up of my glue line on the belly of the bow
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I'm here folks, I'm just busy with a lot of things at this very moment. I have not started yet... kinda. I'm am currently working on a bow to break world records for flight and broadhead shooting at the salt flats. It's most likely the bow I send off will be a prototype or derivative of, for one of these bows. I've got 3 staves with rings being chased, and this will take probably the entire time given to us. If I were smart, I'd have asked for the time to be extended to September, to allow for me to take the bow to the salt flats to shoot in competition and mail it off with any medals it won.
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Many apologies for not being as on it as I should be, got a bit of a thing going on in work that's been distracting me. Will be good for me to get out to the shop this weekend. These bows are looking really good guys, I am very impressed, its really made this trade worthwhile as the number of views shows. Thank you everyone!!!
OK. So. Sleek has kinda made a once in a lifetime offer to someone in the Trade. According to the principles of the Trade, I can reach out to that person, but in my opinion, that takes a little bit of the fun out of things - the Secret Santa Principle, if you will. I would rather everyone in the group post what they think, or PM me, in the hope that the builder concerned says what they really think without me giving the game away. So, what do you think of Sleek's request? A three month extension in return for a bow good enough to compete for a world record?
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Hey Sleek, can you clear some space in your inbox please - that goes for the rest of us too :) :D
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I think it's fine, it's all for fun anyway. Be cool if it was a record breaking bow.
Mine won't be breaking any records, I'm hoping there will be no breaking going on :)
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Got mine down to a single ring on both last night. Now on to the splice.
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Hey Sleek, can you clear some space in your inbox please - that goes for the rest of us too :) :D
I cleared a few messages, sorry about that.
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I'm happy w an extension....didn't get anything done last weekend but hoping this will be the weekend. But wife got a new puppy yesterday so I'll be in support of puppy care....
Paul
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everyone loves a cute puppy pic (hint)
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Many apologies for not being as on it as I should be, got a bit of a thing going on in work that's been distracting me. Will be good for me to get out to the shop this weekend. These bows are looking really good guys, I am very impressed, its really made this trade worthwhile as the number of views shows. Thank you everyone!!!
OK. So. Sleek has kinda made a once in a lifetime offer to someone in the Trade. According to the principles of the Trade, I can reach out to that person, but in my opinion, that takes a little bit of the fun out of things - the Secret Santa Principle, if you will. I would rather everyone in the group post what they think, or PM me, in the hope that the builder concerned says what they really think without me giving the game away. So, what do you think of Sleek's request? A three month extension in return for a bow good enough to compete for a world record?
Don't let me throw a wrench in the works. I don't think you need to spoil the surprise, we can work that out, I sent my number, we can talk to figure out an easy solution.
This may not be once in a lifetime. I like making bows, I like competing. I like to see everything I can get out of a bow, but after that, it's time to make another, and I'll probably not mess with the older ones again. The metals will do with the bow, if I win any too. Proof of performance I suppose.
If anyone objects please let me know, I don't want to disturb the process.
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I’m okay with the extension. That just gives me more time, especially if the one I’m working on doesn’t work out. I’m trying some new things on this one. If I mess up I’ll still have time to make a different one. I actually have been thinking about starting another one just in case the worst happens. (--)
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That's settled then, mid to late September as a provisional deadline OK by everyone?
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:OK
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I've started chasing a ring on a very nice osage stave. Of course, this stave, being over 10 years old, and having left the bark on, is riddled with bug holes. So it's going to be an adventure in reduction to get below the bugs, and see what happens then. I'm trying to post images, but I'm struggling to get the file size down.
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I've started chasing a ring on a very nice osage stave. Of course, this stave, being over 10 years old, and having left the bark on, is riddled with bug holes. So it's going to be an adventure in reduction to get below the bugs, and see what happens then. I'm trying to post images, but I'm struggling to get the file size down.
Use a third party hosting site and you don't have to resize anything. I use Imgur and it works very well, from your phone or desktop computer. A major bonus is the pictures are then big enough for us to actually see something, the forum hosted pictures are so small they are typically not much better than a thumbnail.
Mark
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Thanks. When my wife gets home I'll ask her to show me how to do that.
I've got the bow laid out. This took some head scratches. I'm having to avoid knots and bug holes Of course thats not entirely possible. So I'm judiciously putting them where I feel they will do the least harm. I've got 3 holes going into the recurve on one limb, as it doesn't flex, I'll be certain to just make it a little thicker to make up for it. Also there is a knot right where a recurve will be on both limbs. I've never recurved a knot before, this will be interesting. I've made character bows before, and I've made high performance bows, but never one that was both. The stave has some prop twist, and squiggles in the limbs. This is going to be a challenging build. Of course, I have back ups if this doesn't work out, but I'll see this through first.
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OK with me, I am almost done. I like building bows and have several in the works at all times.
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Did some straightening with steam today on one limb. Will do the other tomorrow. Then will see how it turns out after that. Will probably post some pictures tomorrow..
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I’ve got this bow pretty straight but I’ve got one little spot that has a little dipsy do in it . I’ve been planning on doing a reflex on the limbs. Should I try and take that out or just try and live with it. It’s about 8 inches from the end of the limb. Could I steam it and clamp it down from the back of the bow to flatten it out? The spot is about 2 inches long. I remember clamping my snaky Osage down from the back and that worked out okay.
Any thoughts
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Got another question for you guys.
After talking about mc and weight I decided to go buy a scale.
My bows limbs are still around 1/2 inch thick and around 5/8ths in the tips . I haven’t shaped the handle an it’s 70 inches long 1&1/2 at the fades tapers to 1/2 inch at the tips. Weight is 924 g or 2:0.7 lbs. 32.6 ounces
now I’ve never weighed a bow before so I’m wondering if that seems heavy. May not be relevant at this point just thought I’d share
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Mike. If you plan to heat in a bit of reflex anyway then you may get rid of most of it anyway. Just heat it up first good then clamp it down. Most important is the alignment for tips if recurves are put in. That can be done after if they get twist in them. As for the weight you will loose at least a few hundred grams of weight yet with reduction of wood on limbs and handle shaping.
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Okay I finally got around to bending some reflex into the bow. I don’t think I really heated up quite as much as I should have. Ended up with about 2-1/2 inches in it. Also the limb that has the little dipsy do in it seems to bend a little different than the other. Haven’t decided what I’m going to do with that yet. I already redid it to try and make it look better and improved it some.
Should I try again?
Also should I put the overlays on the tips before I start the tillering? I’m thinking whitetail antler tips. I’ll at least get it bending some before I do, floor tilling it some first before putting my overlays on.
Last question. I’ve glued t wood overlays on with gel superglue. Should I use a different glue with the whitetail antler overlays?
Sending a couple pics of the reflex. Thinking I’ll check the profiles by tracing them out on some paper and checking against each other.
Any thoughts?
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Okay I finally got around to bending some reflex into the bow. I don’t think I really heated up quite as much as I should have. Ended up with about 2-1/2 inches in it. Also the limb that has the little dipsy do in it seems to bend a little different than the other. Haven’t decided what I’m going to do with that yet. I already redid it to try and make it look better and improved it some.
Should I try again?
Also should I put the overlays on the tips before I start the tillering? I’m thinking whitetail antler tips. I’ll at least get it bending some before I do, floor tilling it some first before putting my overlays on.
Last question. I’ve glued t wood overlays on with gel superglue. Should I use a different glue with the whitetail antler overlays?
Sending a couple pics of the reflex. Thinking I’ll check the profiles by tracing them out on some paper and checking against each other.
Any thoughts?
Oh my, now I like that side profile just like that!
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To late JW I already heated and bent it a fuzz. It actually fits the profile of the other limb better now. It wasn’t real bad but when I drew the profile of the better limb it was off a little on the last 8 inches or so. So I clamped it and focused on that part and got it a little better.
Now how about those tips 😁
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I think it looks great! Mine's still a long way behind... this is some good motivation, hoping to make some headway over the weekend.
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Making good progress mike! Looks good.
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That looks great muskyman! As for the tips, what I do is leave them wide at this point (.6-.7”). I then cut in string groves with no overlay. Once I’ve got it strung and bending nice with a short string I then go about narrowing the tips factoring in string alignment. The hope is that they are narrowed evenly but if you need to adjust alignment you can do that by narrowing one side more than the other. Then the overlays go on. The only reason I can think of not to do it that way is if you intend not to have side string groves and anticipate having to narrow the tips from only one side. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks Kidder. I’ve got it bending pretty good on floor tiller now. One limb needs to have a little more bend in the last foot or so. Other limb is bending nicely though out. My tips are already about 1/2 inch. I had my alignment perfect but lost a little bit while bending in my reflex. It’s slightly off to one side of the handle but not much maybe 3/16ths according to my lazer.. I might try and get that back to perfect but not sure I want to fool with it. Though about making a long string, kinda like a bow stringer just to get it on the tree so I can see how the limbs look as far as bend goes. Get it bending to about brace height then put my overlays on and cut my knocks into it. Main thing for me is to not bend it too much and cause a bunch of set in it. I have been known to do that ;D
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I actually have free time this weekend!!! I'll get more done on my "hoped for" bow and get some pics up.
Paul
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So I strung my bow today...pretty terrifying but it didn't blow. I've got about 30lbs at 20". Do you think this bow will get above hunting weight (40lbs here in GA) around 26-7inches draw? I've corrections to make before I try to.draw beyond 20".
Bow is now 64" nock to nock. River birch. Thanks, Paul
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And the wife's new puppy...
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Hey cute pooch. Looks good so far to me.. don’t know anything about river birch myself. If it doesn’t make your weight you might be able to heat treat the belly. I don’t know how river birch reacts to heat but hickory will gain some weight when heated. Not sure how much of an increase you get with hickory or any other wood but it was a thought I had when I saw your post.
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Very cute pooch. Bows are looking good, thanks everyone for posting
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Did a little on mine today. Got a long string on it and am starting to bend it.
First pic it’s at 40 lbs and the second pic it’s about 35 lbs. so I’ve got a good way to go just to get it to where I can get a string on it. I took a little off with a file to loose the 5 lbs but I’ll probably do the rest with a card scraper. I figure I can keep better control of the limbs doing it that way.
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Question. My bow is currently 70 inches. For a 28 inch draw could I cut it down to 68 or possibly a little shorter. If I remember correctly the rule of thumb is 2 X draw length plus 10 inches. Which would be 66 inches would be about as short as I’d want to go. Probably stay at 68.
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I’d have thought you could risk 66 but 68 would be ok
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I've started on the bow, but it will be a while before I make more progress. I'm out of town for work for a few months. I'm not in danger of not completing it, I'm just not going to be posting on it a while and wanted everyone to know and understand why.
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I noticed a small pen knot on the edge of my bow and I was wondering if you think it might be a problem for the bow. It’s not real big but it’s close to the edge and comes out about halfway on the side of the limb. Pictures to follow
Middle pic is the side of the limb and bottom pic is the belly of the bow.
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Never mind. I was working on it today and put a caliber on that area and I had it dovetailed a little right there and took my scraper to it and had enough to remove the pen knot. So hopefully it’s all good
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Got a string on the bow today. The more I work on this bow the worse it gets, feels like it anyway.
The first string I put on it was one I had made for another bow and was to short. Tiller was 1 inch different from limb to limb measuring out 12 inches from the center line. So I took some off the stiff limb and now I have it much better but it’s still off 1/8 inch.
Still not really happy with it though. I’ll post pics of it braced.
Next question.
If I cut 1 inch off each end will it increase the draw weight?
It’s 69&1/2 inches ttt right now. I only need 27 inch draw length. I’ve been planning on doing this anyway but seems like I’m getting close to the draw weight I need and still need to do some tillering and sanding yet. I’m hoping it will give me a decent little bump in draw weight. I could use it.
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Forgot pictures
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Decided that cutting the tips off might help but read where it can cause set to be more likely. Figured I had nothing to loose by reheating some reflex back into it, so I clamped it down and heated it. I had taken a lot off it from when I first heated some reflex into it so I figured what the heck. I might have made the low end of the draw weight I wanted but not sure. I’ll post my results.
Already started going through my stave stash and found a couple other candidates just in case. Have also pulled out a couple billets but I’d have to splice them and don’t think I want to try and make my first attempt at splicing with this build.
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Mike I think you could start with taking just a 1/2” off each end and see first where you are at for weight. Yes it will increase draw weight but at only 27” draw it shouldn’t be a problem if you tiller it good. Doing another session of heat after shortning it should give you a good idea where you are. You may be closer then you think with just that little shorter and another heat session. It’s coming along and lookin like a bow.
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Looks like you are really close. This is where set starts happening for my bows as I get impatient/fed up/frustrated. Piking doesn’t add as much weight as you might hope as when you re-shape the new tips most of the weight disappears-you may gain 5lb though, and that could be all you need. But it does increase the chances of set. Take your time, you are really close. Take a few days away from it, start a new project and come back fresh if need be, there’s plenty of time left
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Thanks for the input guys. I took it off my form this morning and one limb was a little different than the other. I clamped it back down and put a little heat to it. Will let that sit for a couple hours then live with the result. Probably just didn’t get enough heat in the one area where it was bending a little different. Haven’t piked it yet but probably will. Still need to put my tip overlays on yet too. I’m guessing I should degrease it before putting overlays on. Denatured alcohol or acetone one or the other. Limbs are pretty straight. Put my laser on it yesterday.
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Got it back to about 3&1/2 inches of reflex and cleaned it off with acetone. Now going to let it sit for a day or two and rehydrate before I do anything else to it. May cut the tips off still. It’s 69& 1/2 inches now Then I’ll slowly tiller it out and put overlays on it.
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Sounds like a good plan Mike.
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Well I took my bow out to the shop today and strung it back up. It appears to me to have a bit of a whip tiller about 8-9 inches from the tip and I don’t really think I’ll have enough weight left to tiller that out of it and hit my draw weight.
So I have another question… if I bend static recurves into the last 8 inches of it will that help me get some draw weight back or will the whip tiller still be there in front of the recurve on the weak limb. I’ll try and post some pictures later today so you can see what I’m dealing with and what I’m thinking of trying to make this still work out for me.
Either way I definitely learned a lesson about making bows. One I won’t forget. I can still make a nice bow out of it but maybe not as stout as I wanted.
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The reflex was a bit different in the limb so I bent it and evened them up yesterday.. I might make it. This is it at almost 20 inches and 33 lbs..think it’ll make 45 lbs at 27 inches?
Left limb is a little flat on the outer half looks like to me.
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Pretty much done. Only thing I’ll do from here in take a little off the tip and put whitetail tip overlays on.. after sanding with 120 grit it weights 43.5 lbs. I actually shot it a few times today. I’ll put the overlays on it and check the tiller again then finish sanding it and shape the tips a bit. It’s a 1 & 1/2 lbs under my target weight but I’m going to live with that.
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Pretty much done. Only thing I’ll do from here in take a little off the tip and put whitetail tip overlays on.. after sanding with 120 grit it weights 43.5 lbs. I actually shot it a few times today. I’ll put the overlays on it and check the tiller again then finish sanding it and shape the tips a bit. It’s a 1 & 1/2 lbs under my target weight but I’m going to live with that.
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Glad we pushed back ship date....my best guess is the darker streak isn't grain character but rather some wood damage....such is free wood i guess. most every other stave i have is a "character" stave-meaning if you were smarter than me you wouldn't bother w them.
if i have something that might work i'll post a pic of starting point.....Paul
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Ouch. That’s a bummer Paul. I might be starting over too. I’ll know in a few days. Hope you find something to work with. You’re right about the ship date being extended.
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Dang man, hate that.
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Finally got my 2 billets glued up today. Z splice and epoxy. Now waiting for things to cure and then start shaping it out.
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Looks good Aaron. I want to try a splice one day before long.
Put whitetail antler overlays on mine today and bent it a little on my tillering tree. Got to make a string for it. Then check till tiller and see if it’s heavy enough for my recipient. Think I’ll be okay, should know in the next few days.
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Sometimes you gotta laugh. I never thought it would be that good :o
Put a string on my bow today, after I saw it I put it in Hamish’s naughty bow pile and started on a new one.
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The right side looks great! :)
Seriously though, that's a bummer. Good luck with #2
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Just for kicks I’m gonna try and laminate a thin piece on the offending side and see if I can stiffen it up. I found a limb I cut off another Osage bow that went south on me with some really nice growth rings. I’m going to chase it down from both sides. Should end up with a piece about 3/16ths thick. Then flatten with my belt sander and glue it together with EA 40. Then reshape and tiller if it works. It won’t be my trade bow but, just want to see if I can do it.
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That is a bummer :-( maybe it's one half of a laminated handle bow that you've yet to envision....
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Thinned down a piece of Osage today and bent it to match the bow. Will make sure tips line up first before gluing them. Probably fine tune the limbs some then glue them up
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Just for kicks I’m gonna try and laminate a thin piece on the offending side and see if I can stiffen it up. I found a limb I cut off another Osage bow that went south on me with some really nice growth rings. I’m going to chase it down from both sides. Should end up with a piece about 3/16ths thick. Then flatten with my belt sander and glue it together with EA 40. Then reshape and tiller if it works. It won’t be my trade bow but, just want to see if I can do it.
I think this bow can be salvaged with a boo backing too if you’ve got one. Just another idea fyi. Best of luck with it.
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That’s a good thought Dave. I was thinking about putting the piece on the belly but don’t know if that will work. I’ve got 2 other bows going right now. One is narrow but should make a bow. I did some bending on it today and also worked on a stave I started the other day. I’ve got it bending a little at floor tiller now. Need to take some twist out of both limbs. It has a little natural reflex in it as it sits. Close to getting a long string on it.
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Been working on two replacements for my original trade bow. Mostly just bending and straightening. One had a little bit of propeller twist and the other is just a backup to my backup and on that one I found a crack on the side of one limb that I filled with thin super glue and clamped it. Not sure how it might affect the bow. Crack is about mid limb. I’ll post a pic. The main backup has a couple knots in the bottom limb that I left some extra wood around. Debating flipping the tips. Both ends have a little issue that I’m thinking might benefit from being flipped.
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This is the backup to my backup. Been working on this one for the last few days. Flipped the tips and did a little strengthening. Here’s where I’m at with it. About 67 inches long ttt and has a little snaky limbs that are 1&1/4 wide just past the fades. Still working on the tiller.
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Pic
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Lookin good
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Mine had a weight loss session today. Got it roughed to profile.
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Looks good so far Aaron. What kind of wood is that? I don’t remember seeing what it was if you have already said. Haven’t really done anything on mine lately. Working on a shed for my wife but, planning on trying to take some time for bow making over the next few days because it’s supposed to rain. :BB
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Thanks muskyman, it's red oak. I'm hopeful it will turn out ok. It's got just a bit of bend at this point. I completely understand not being able to get progress on the bows, I have 3 kids who, rightfully so, consume most of my time. But that's what makes it fun, it's a small escape from the day to day. Hope you get some time on yours. Take care
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Worked a little on the backup bow today. Gave up on the original bow I was making for the trade. Got a string on it and worked on it a little bit, then decided I’d reflex it. It’s on my caul now.here is a before reflex picture. It was 40 lbs at 18 inches in the picture. Right limb is the bottom limb. About 3/4 shorter than the top and has two knots right in the middle of the limb. I’ve got another bow going and I think I like it better at this point. We’ll see how they end up.
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Little more
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This is my backup bow in the photos above and here. It’s the bow on the right
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Really like the profile on the back up bow. Both look good.
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Me too Dave. I might try and flip the tips other one too.
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So, in my cold damp corner of the world, bow building only really gets going in May. Been watching some great work going on but How y’all doing ? believe it or not, we are getting toward the half way point ;D
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Got mine to floor tiller. Hoping to hop on it again soon.
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I ve had to take a break, work and life....I will get back on it and hope to have something to trade by end date.
Paul
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I haven’t been working on mine. Had to build a shed for my wife. I’m almost done, then back to fun. I’m pretty close on both of mine. Few more days on each one should get me close. I think, or I should say hope it will.
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Worked on these today and the flipped tip one might not make my 45 lbs so I’m left with the other one and it’s still plenty heavy yet. Gonna go slow and try to make sure it works out. It’s my third attempt at my trade bow and my last attempt I’m thinking.
Never had this much trouble making a bow before. Might be I’m just trying to hard to get it perfect, so to speak. The flip tip one is still really close to my target weight and still needs sanding. I haven’t had it to full draw yet so it might just barely make it. Doubt it though.
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I mean, if you're just a cuple pounds under weight you could try to heat treat it, even osage should gain a few punds in the process, right? Just my 2 cents
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I had thought about that Zugal. It’s actually my backup for the other one. If my main bow doesn’t work out then I might heat it but it’s already had some heating on it to help with some twisting and other limb issues.
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I've been absent, but I knew I would be at the beginning. I've got the design for this bow figured out and I do believe it will be polishing things to an edge. It will certainly be proofing my short recurve design to see if my ideas hold up.
It's a 60 inch recurve, will draw 50 pounds. My goal is for it to shoot a 450 grain arrow into the speed range of 190 fps or higher. To date all my recurves have been shorter and designed to shoot very light weight arrows at high speeds and distances. The idea is that short limbs are good for higher horse power which is great for lightweight arrows but lower torque. Longer limbs give higher torque which benefits heavier arrows and lower horse power. This line of thought has put my son and I into 5 world records between the two of us, and he has one US record.
But I've focused only on short limbed high HP bows. Now it's time to reverse the direction I've been looking, make some torque monsters, and reach for the heavier broad head arrow flight records. With nothing more scientific that gut feeling, and hope, I'm hoping to break the 200 fps mark. But that will be with less that 10gpp, so it won't count to that specific challenge.
With any luck I'll have less that 1/2 inch of set, maybe even 1/4 inch as I get with my current flight bows, and a bow that will be sent off with some medals won. More updates coming in the next few weeks.
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I’m thinking I’ve done about all the damage I can do with these bows. The flip tip bow is just under 45 lbs my target weight.
The other bow still has a bit of extra weight I could play with but the limb with the red markings in the area I still don’t like has a little twist to it and I think that might be what makes it look a little funny. Any thoughts are appreciated as always. I’ll post more photos later on. I’m shaping the handle and sanding at this point.
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Put some whitetail antler tips on the bow today. Used Pat B’s advice and put thin super glue on the antler before I glued them on. First time for me. Not real happy but not the worst thing I’ve ever done. First one got stuck to my fingers and I thought I’d never get it off in time but, I made it.
Didn’t string it up, figured I’ll wait till tomorrow..
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Those both look good to me! The antler tips look really nice too. Who ever ends up with one of those will definately be happy.
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Thanks Aaron, I hope so. I’m pretty much done with mine, even shot a few times with it. I started thinking about a shelf. But don’t know if my recipient would want one. So I thought I’d ask for the guys in the trade to chime in. Shelf, no shelf. What kind of shelf if you would like one. I started out cutting one in on the bows I made and then we to a smaller leather shelf then on to just shooting off my hand so I’m good with anything. Any one else have a preference?
I’ll post some pictures here before long. Full draw and some other pics.
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I'm more a fan of shooting off the knuckle, I like the look of a bow with no shelf too. The one I'm building, I'm not planning for a shelf.
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Pretty much done except handle wrap and a few things. It’s a little flat on the top limb but has a little reflex in it there and it’s a fuzz weaker in that limb so I’m probably going to leave it in there. Shot about 35-40 shots through it today and it took no set at all that I could see immediately after taking the string off it. Seems pretty fast and didn’t notice much hand shock. Here’s a few pictures.
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Looks great! Well done. I’d be happy with that.
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I tried heating the limbs on the one with the flipped tips. Cooked them pretty good. Didn’t help with the weight. Shot about 30-40 shots through it and it seems to spit them arrows pretty fast. It probably won’t last a long time because of how skinny the limbs are. They are a little over an inch wide, maybe 1 1/4 tops at the fades and can’t really say fades because it kinda just goes from handle to limbs.
Also tried to take a little off the flat spot of the top limb of my trade bow today, just with sandpaper. I think it’s bending a little more in that area. Shot about 30 or so though it today. That’s getting close to 100 arrows through it and so far so good. Handle still feels a bit big to me. Getting ready to make a string to ship with it. It shoots 700 graphite shafts that are 26 or 27 inches, I can’t remember, got them for my wife. But it shoots them good with no rest just off the knuckle. Seems to shoot straight and I can group arrows pretty good at 20 yards. Just about ready to go to my recipient.
It’s weighing in at 50 lbs at 27 inches. All in all a pretty good bow. I think.
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Thinking about inlaying an arrow pass on the bow. I’ve got a piece of whitetail antler tip that I’ve been shaping. It’s probably 1/8 thick and is the outer shell of the antler, so no porous material in it. I might shrink it down in height but I’m thinking 1/8 thick is okay.
He’s a couple pics. Let me know what you think
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Shot 15-20 shots through the bow today with the new string I made, I need practice with that. Not a great string for sure.. anyway I was measuring the tiller and it has about 1/8th negative tiller. Top limb is about 3/4 inch longer. Should I worry about the negative tiller or not. It shoots good and I have been getting good groups with it. I checked the draw weight and it’s only a few pounds from my low side for my recipient. 45-50 is what they wanted..
It’s never shown any signs of set in either limb at all after tillering or shooting. When I take the string off it’s right back to where it was. Probably only had it strung for a hour or so ever at most.
Top limb has just a hint of reflex out by the end. Far end it the top limb
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Lookin good muskyman, whoever gets that one will be happy for sure!
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Got a string on mine today, low brace. Still needs to have a lot taken off, was pulling 49lbs at 15in, that's my target weight at 28in so still a ways to go, but it's bending pretty good so far. Hoping to get it tillered out soon.
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Sounds like you’re headed in the right direction. I’m still fooling around with mine too.
Once you get a string on it you’re getting closer for sure.
Good luck. Post some pictures when you get a chance.
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Believe it or not, it’s mid July!!! Is everyone still OK about mid September for shipping?
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I'm still good with that. Got mine full brace and tillered out to 24 in, so closing in on things. Gonna try to get some pics up soon.
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I’m good too. Backup bow is 100 percent done and trade bow is about 99 percent. Needs a handle wrap and tru-oil. Has had about 120 or more shots through it.
I’ll post pics when I get it 100 percent.
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I hope to get back on my bow this week and I think I can be good to go by mid Sept...worst case I have a bow I started over a year ago that I've never gotten back to. I may have to go with it. Paul
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Here's a few pics, haven't put any up of the build in a while. Just a lot going on, so haven't had time to. My target for this bow is 45 to 50 lbs at 28in. Right now it's at about 50 at 27in so I feel like I'm on track to hit my target. It's got a little bit of set, but I've started on a belly heat treat with a little reflex induced so will see how that ends up.
First Pic is at brace. Second is how I tiller without a tree. Not the most elegant, but I film myself pulling the bow like you see and then I can review the video on my phone. This one is a challenge as my draw length is about 24in max so I'm really over drawing for this one, which is actually the longest draw I've ever gone after, so that's a bit fun in itself. And then the last Pic is my setup for a heat treat, just using a heat gun for this, not a really heavy heat treat, about 45 min on this limb. I'll let this one cool over night on the form and then do the other one tomorrow (hopefully). I've put about 50 or so shots through it prior to heat treat and I'm happy with how it's shooting (I just have to draw like an English archer for this one, back to my ear). I'm excited to finish it up and see how it turns out. Hope the recipient is happy with it.
I'll try to get a few pics up after the heat treat is done and I start finishing it up.
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Looks good Aaron. I haven’t worked on mine since my last post on this thread. It’s pretty close though.
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Looking really nice!
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I have made a little progress on my bow...not enough to share though. And if I was a gambler I would NOT put any money on the current stave. I found another piece of river birch in the rafters that probably should have been committed to the burn pile rather than put in the rafters. But after hacking away with the circular saw and then my rasp I have a wonky "character" stave about 1.25" wide full length. Based on my reading 1.25" is probably too narrow for river birch but maybe if I make it bend through the handle it might work, maybe come in about 45lbs...I hope to reduce it some more this weekend till I feel like it is bending evenly the full length then heat treat it before going to actually tillering it. If I can get it strung, and then to draw length without blowing up I will shoot it a bunch before finishing it. And hopefully post some pics this weekend. The stave is light as a feather which I find interesting....
Paul
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I actually worked on mine some today too. This stave is making me crazy. I put it away in the house about 3-4 weeks ago and it sat there while I painted my house aka my honey do. Took it out to the shop, strung it up and flexed it a while then pulled it to full draw and it was a fuzz over 55 lbs. when I put it away it was 50 lbs. I sanded on it some trying to fix what I always felt like was a flat spot on the top limb right where it has a little natural reflex that I just can’t make go away. Got it down to about 53-54 lbs. sanded the flat area on the top limb and the bottom limb full length.
I’ll shoot some pictures of it at full draw on the tillering tree and one just strung also took a picture right after fooling with it for about an hour. This stave has never taken any set at all and has had about 100 or more shots through it. If you look at the antler tip you can see that one full draw picture is top limb to the left and one of it to the right
Any thoughts as to if I should try to take the flat spot out or just let it be and as to why it went up in draw weight.
Thanks
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Top limb to the right at full draw
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Looks pretty darn good to me mike! The dry ac air in your house maybe dried it out some more? I’ve had some do this as well after setting them aside and revisiting them later to fine they have increased in weight in draw. It may have been a particularly humid day when you a last worked it and took your draw reading too. As far as the flat spot it gives bow character. I know what’s it’s like to not being able to “call it good”. It’s hard to do sometimes. Well done on this bow.
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I'd stick a fork in that guy, looks done to me. There's a saying, don't let perfect get in the way of good. And that looks really good! I'm with Dave, gives it some character.
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Thanks, both of you. Guess I just needed a little reassurance. My only issue at this point is that 50 lbs is the high side of my recipient’s specified draw weight. I might try sanding on both limbs to try and reduce the weight a little. I’d rather send it a few pounds over weight than jack it up now. I’ve got a backup bow but this bow is much nicer and would like to send it to my guy so I’m gonna be careful with any further tweaking I do to it. Needs a handle wrap and some tru oil after that and I’m done and on to my next one.
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Well I'm about to have this one finished up. Got it stained a nice dark walnut, the grip is on there for now, but still needs signed and marked and a final coat of truoil put on. Here's a few pics from today. Got it out and shot some, trying to bare shaft tune a couple arrows to accompany it.
That said, I'm at a difficult spot with shooting it in. My target specs are 45-50lbs at 28in. It's pulling about 47lbs at 28, but all my shooting has been 26in, maybe some at 27. My normal draw is more like 22in, so I'm pulling this thing back as far as I possibly can to try to give it a proper shoot in session, I've marked arrows and I just can't get 28 to save my life. So I hate to mark a bow with specs at 28 when I haveny been able to shoot it at that. Am I wrong in that thinking? I'd feel a lot better about marking it with it's 27 or 26 in draw weight and length, which is 45 at 27 and about 43 at 26. Anyway, would welcome thoughts on this.
It's shooting really good and it holding just a touch of reflex after unstringing, which returns a bit more after a little while. Here's the pics and my "full draw" of about 26-26.5 in.
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Here's after just unstringing it.
Also, had a couple pin knots in the lower limb that I wrapped and then coated in super glue just to be safe and then gave the top limb similar wraps for symmetry.
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Looks good Aaron. I’m guessing you’re pulling it to your draw length on the tillering tree
So I’d think you’re okay with that but, maybe others with more experience might chime in on that.
I worked on mine a little more. Trying to get it down a little bit more in draw weight. I’m down to about 53 lbs but every time I work on it I get nervous about messing it up. Just using sandpaper and going slow with that. Just kinda seems like I can’t get it to go down in weight. Probably try another time or two then quit on it.
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Ya mike I wouldn’t mess with it too much more. It’s the mc in the air that is fluctuating the draw weight. It will continue to fluctuate still. You are in the zone and whoever gets that bow is a lucky duck! Well done.
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It’s all coming together nicely, well done everyone! Soon will come the hardest part, waiting to send- I am always worried someone won’t get their bow, so we all post only when we’re all just about ready. Stay strong 😁
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Worked on my bow some more today. This is the weirdest bow ever. It’s just got it in its mind it’s gonna be 55 lbs regardless. I had it down to 50 lbs at one time and it went back up to 55 lbs. Then I worked on it some more and got it back down to about 52 lbs. took it out to my shop today and pulled it about 20 times and then checked the weight and it’s right back to 55 lbs. I sanded it some more with 120 grit and then worked my way back to 2000 grit and never checked the weight again.
Put beaver fur silencers on the string and it’s much quieter now.
Then I brought the backup bow out and shot it some. It was about 47 lbs when I checked it. Seems to shoot fast. Might be that little bit of reflex in the limb tips.
I’m possibly going to stain my trade bow but not sure yet. Started working on a leather grip for it but could just put jute on it. I like jute pretty good as far as the feel of it and it looks good to me too. Then tru oil and I’m calling it done. My recipient will just have to love it at 55 lbs because it’s got its mind made up. Here’s a few pics from today. Full draw and some of two compadres
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I was reading in around the campfire on this site that the forum might be going away 🤬
I was wondering what we should do if this possibly happens before our trade deadline.
Should we get our recipients address and a shipping date. Possibly an email address for our recipient so we can get in contact and ship them their bow. I’d actually like to send my recipient his bow even if the forum were to shut down..
Really hoping it doesn’t but, just in case.
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I hadn’t heard that, but just in case can y’all send me your email addresses please, if you haven’t already and I’ll back up everything
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Didn’t recall if I had sent mine to you, so I sent it to you. Would we need yours, just in case.
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Fair point, it’s avenue.woodcarving@yahoo.co.uk
Anyone heard anything from Steve (Walski)? He hasn’t been on PA since mid -March and in his last post he said he was nearly finished. I messaged him a couple of days ago and I really don’t want to cut him yet but it’s not looking good at the moment.
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Walski’s been in touch- he’s had some technical issues but he’s ready to ship. I’m hoping he’ll email me a photo or two when he gets a minute or two.
So. My original plan was to wait for everyone to finish and Sleek to do his competition. I would hope our hosts will post a notification if the site is going to be shut down, so at the moment that is still my intention with switching to email if necessary. Sticking with plan A, there’s about a month left to go 😃
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Sounds good, I'm just getting the finishing touches on mine and then it will be ready to go. Can't wait to see all the other bows too!
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Someone is very lucky. Thanks Walski
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Good looking bow there Walski
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That's a beauty!
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I dont have the time and know how to post pictures on here right now but I should have the bow shooting by end of day tomorrow. I am taking pictures and making videos that I will share after the salt flats event.
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Very good looking bow. Well done indeed.
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I really hate that I cant post pictures right now, and even if I did, it would probably give it away who gets this bow. But as an update, the bow is "done" and shooting. I say "done" because it's ready for the salt flats flight shoot, but it's still rough. I'll put makeup on it when I get home. I have high hopes for the bows performance if I can just nock out the arrows I need tomorrow, as tomorrow is my last day before I fly out.
I was going to heat treat the bow, but it is so character laden, any heat may cause over stress and I can't afford it to break. Plus, it's shooting 197-204 fps with a 450 grain arrow and 50#. I hope I can shoot well without having to add any reflex or heat.
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Sounds like a great bow sleek. Good luck at your event on the flats.
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Morning All, I haven't given up completely on getting a bow done but maybe I should... :( Is our ship date Sept 1 or Sept 30? I have my piece of birch bending pretty evenly but have just started trying to get it bending out to draw length. And it is everything that, as near I can tell, a person shouldn't do with birch but it is what it is. I expect it to blow before I get it to full draw. And of course I want to shoot it a good bit before I send it out. Seeing some of the pics the other are posting, if this thing survives, it just doesn't belong being traded along side these other bows...
that's what I am thinking this AM, I will post again when it comes to an end either blown or me shooting it in....Paul
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Hang in there partner. Heck every time I put a bow on my tillering tree I expect it to explode. It might turn out to be the best bow in the trade. As far as ship date I really don’t know.
Good luck.
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No rush, we were looking at some time in September, later not sooner, there’s no fixed deadline as such. Don’t forget that this is the junior trade, designed for novices. Hopefully it won’t be the only junior trade ….
Your bow doesn’t have to be show quality, just your best at this time. Every bow I build is a big step forward on the last one, if I waited until my quality peaked, I’d be dead before anyone saw any of my work. Every bow I build I ask for tiller advice. Do not be discouraged by where other builders are, heck none of us can compete with a national championship level builder…
Post some pictures and we can give you a more objective opinion on where you’re at.
I used to teach carving and one time one of my novices insisted her first carving was awful - it was lovely but all she could see were the imperfections which no-one else could see (including me) so I dropped the piece in the finishing oil, wiped it clean and told her it was done. If she had carried on picking at it she’d have ruined a lovely piece.
Show us some pics , or, email me some to look over if you’d rather?
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Made some progress today, went for broke and put the short string on the stave. It didn't blow up, it does look not bad but a ways to go yet. And there is already a bit of string follow. I only had the short string on maybe 3 or 4 times getting the two limbs to match up better but it was enough to induce some follow. I have brought it back inside to rest and am hoping it will return to its original almost flat profile. I think I might heat treat it again as I suspect I have removed a lot of the heat treated wood scraping the limbs. There is a weird hump in one limb that is hard on the eyes but my straight edge says the limbs are bending pretty evenly. Thanks for looking. Feedback welcome. Paul
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Definitely showing potential!! Not sure if the outer third of the lumpy limb is a tiny bit stiff? Some follow is almost inevitable, you can try a heat soak: I have found most (but not all) of the follow returns as soon as you restring the bow. Don’t forget that a tiny amount of set at the centre looks terrible as it moves the tips a long way, where a major amount in the outer thirds will show much less. Any chance of an unstrung picture?
A straight edge is useful but a gizmo is way more accurate. Like many here it revolutionised my building- I now have several sizes - piece of 2x1 drill through for a friction fit on a pencil stump and away we go
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Starting to look like a bow. I use a gizmo too. Not 100 percent of the time but it’s definitely a great tool.
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Here are two pics from before I put the short string on....I do have a gizmo but never seems to work quite right. Either riding the pencil point or the point wears down and its not long enough to touch the limb...fwiw Paul
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I think I might be tempted to refine the tips a bit and get as much of the bow working as possible
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The flight archery event is over and the bow did well. In test flight with a synthetic string ( not legal for competition ) and a plastic nock ( also not legal ) on a wooden shaft the arrow went 237 yards. In competition we couldn't get an arrow that would fly correctly and that put a major handicap in performance. The best shot was still 208 yards, enough to win the gold medal despite not breaking a record. I know the bow had it in it, just needed the right tuning
After I get home I will do a draw weight check and speed check to see if any weight and speed has been lost due to having been put thoroughly through its paces and report back the findings. Either way, this bow will make a fantastic companion in the woods. Also I will be taking the time to do the finish work on it, sanding, handle wrap, snake skin, and a finish coat.
It may be towards the end if this month I get shipped, but it should be a good bow when done.
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Fantastic Sleek, congratulations!!!
I need a postal address from you please
There’s still a few working on their bows so end of the month sounds perfect
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Congratulations on winning the gold. Sounds like someone is getting a great bow with some history to it already. To bad you couldn’t get a good arrow to fly. (SH)
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My poundage problem just won’t quit. I had this bow back down to about 53 lbs (again ) I think it’s the third time I’ve took it down in weight. 50 lbs is the high side of my recipient’s requested draw weight. I figured if I can get to 52-53 okay. Was going to work on another bow so I took it to the shop with me. Put it on my tillering tree and pulled it 15-20 times then checked the weight. 55 lbs again. What am I to do. Two options I guess. Try reducing the weight or leave it 5 lbs over. My fear in reducing it is I’m concerned about screwing it up this close to the shipping date.
I guess I can try and sand on it some more but I’m really ready to be done with this bow. Guess I can’t complain. It’s not taking any set and hasn’t blown up yet and has probably had 150 or more arrows through it.
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Sorry, this is not something I’ve come up against, hopefully someone will chime in. I believe some woods change weight with r/h and others can appear fully seasoned and then dry out some more. I’d probably take off a couple of scrapes
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try to measure the physical weight of the bow and see if you're still loosing moisture, this should be the only thing that could increase the draw weight
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Not saying it’s impossible but I checked moisture on it before I started working on it and after and it was pretty low. Can’t say for sure but I’m thinking about 7 percent. It’s stayed inside ever since in a climate controlled environment. 2-3 months Only time it goes outside is if I work on it or shoot it. I have scraped on it some, not much but have sanded on it a bunch, even with a palm sander. I might try working on it a little more but I’m definitely going to tread carefully.
Quick update. After the question about MC I decided to take the bow out and check it. First I checked my 1&2 year old Osage and it checked in the 7 plus range. Then I checked the bow and couldn’t even get my meter to read. I think it has to be under 5 percent before it won’t read it, so I don’t know. Strung it up and pulled it about 10 or so times and checked the weight 54 plus lbs.
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Crazy question, but have you checked your scale? Or checked another known bow against it? Does the bow feel any different? Does it feel like it's gained draw?
I'm an engineer, going down the 5 whys and root cause analysis hole here....
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Definitely crossed my mind Aaron. It has been acting funny lately after being dropped a few times. I’ve been thinking about getting a new one. Might be the time to buy one.
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Checked my scale today with a 25 lb free weight. Weighed it on my kitchen scale at 25lb 10 oz
On my bow scale it weighs 25lb 5 oz so I don’t know what’s up at this point. Doesn’t seem to be the scale, at least it’s not to far off.
I’m going to try to reduce it a little bit one more time then call it good.
Let you know what happens.
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Went back to work on my bow today. Pulled it some and checked the weight. 54 plus pounds. Pulled it to full draw and marked it with my gizmo. Sanded it with 80 grit for a bit, then sanded with 220 to smooth it out some. Pulled it about 30 times then checked the weight 52 plus. Marked it with the gizmo again and sanded more and even took my card scraper to it a little bit then more sanding. Pulled it about 20 times and checked the weight a fuzz over 50 lbs sanded it pretty good and shot it about 30 times took it back in the shop check the weight 51.5. Sanded it a little more with some 220 grit then sanded down to 2000 grit and checked it again and it was 50 lbs plus almost 51. Decided that’s gonna have to be good. I’ll give it a few days then check it again. I’m thinking this is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve had it close to 50 lbs. if it’s 52 or under when I check it it gonna get a handle wrap and tru-oil put on it.
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Checked it today almost 53lbs. Sanded a little. Now about 52lbs and staying there.
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Got to say I admire your willingness to keep at it on this one. Sounds like it's been pretty stubborn.
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I'm calling it done on mine. Ready to ship.
Made up a couple arrows to go with the bow too. Sourwood shoot shafts. One blunt with a 2 fletch and the other with a field point and 3 fletch.
The paining on the bow is inspired by a Choctaw bow. Didn't want to cover too much of the back, I really like how the grain looks on this one. Here's a few picks of the bow, arrows, and a full draw shot.
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Very sharp looking bow! Well done.
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Love it
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Great looking bow Aaron. Love everything about it. I’m in a bit of a hold on mine but, really only need a day to finish it. Two tops. It jumped up in weight again but I’m done with all that.
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Managed to hurt my right hand doing sheetrock...who the heck hurts their hand mudding sheet rock? Hoping next weekend I can get back on the scraper w my bow. Paul
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Thanks guys. I'm excited to see what the recipient thinks of it. This was a couple firsts for me. It's my 9th bow, first one I've done that didn't get backed with something, and by far the longest draw length I've ever tackled. It was challenging but a lot of fun.
Paul, hope the hand heals up soon.
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I can relate Paul. Just got done retaping all the joints in my garages ceiling. Didn’t hurt myself but have had my share of injuries doing construction work. Get healed up and back at it.
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Sent away for a new bow scale before completing my trade bow. Just to double check that the one I have isn’t junk. Should be here within a week. Then I’ll check weight and hopefully go ahead and finish my bow.. I’ll post a few pictures when I get done. Shot about 10 more arrows through it today and it shoots pretty good. Probably have put around 200 or so shots through it and seems to be okay.
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Calling my bow done. Ended up making 3 bows total. First one is my backup bow dyed with fibbings dark brown stain. 47 lbs at 27 inches.
Next is the first bow I started and got it whip tillered and spliced a thin piece of wood on the belly. It is stained with walnut husks I picked up in my yard. 39 lbs at 27 inch draw.
Last one is my proposed trade bow. It’s stained with my walnut stain I made.
Never could get it to 50 lbs as many times as I tried. Ended up 52+ lbs at 27 inch draw. Hopefully my recipient will be ok with it.
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Bow 2
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Trade bow
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Last picture of all 3 together
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Looks great! I'm sure whoever gets it is gonna love it. All three of them look like they turned out really good.
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Ya mike they all turned out quite nice!
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Alright Y'all, I was able to get some more work done on my bow...and I have to formally withdraw. I put it on the scale and it only pulls 35lbs and I need to do more work on it. My guy had asked for at least 40lbs to be able to hunt with the bow. I've got it pretty close but still have wood to remove. I have piked it once since my last post, did what I hoped would be final nocks, but I don't think piking again is a good idea as it'll make a sketchy bow even more sketchy. Muksy and others are making some really nice stuff-maybe next year I can try again.
Paul
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Sorry to hear that Paul. I had never built a bow for anyone before other than my wife. I got to be honest, I felt a little nervous about it. Especially after my first attempt got really jacked up on me.
I’m sure you hated having to do it but, don’t sweat it. Like you said, maybe next year.
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At least yours is still in one piece, my last trade bow blew into 6 pieces two weeks before deadline. Thank you for persevering. If it makes you feel any better, that’s going to make a nice bow. My real buzz is making the sketchy ones work! I really hope there will be another junior bow trade, if there is you’re top of the list.
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Ok everyone, please give me a day or two to re-assign a couple of partners, I’ll post once new details have been confirmed.
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Stuckinthemud. Your in box is full. I answered yes to your pm you sent me.
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Thanks , I’ll clear out some space.
How does everyone feel about next weekend as the shipping date?
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I think I can make that. Having to do a tweaking to my trade bow but hopefully will be done before then. I should know in the next couple days but, should be good.
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I'm fine with that
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I had a trade bow down to final tillering and something slipped and it flew off the tillering tree, and cracked a limb less than a week before deadline. I was sick. It was looking great and I was even gonna enter it as a contender for bow of the month.
I sent my apologies and brooded for two days. I laid in bed one night and it was just eating at me, I could not get to sleep. So I got up, went to the garage, turned on the radio. I pulled out a stave with the bark on just as the classic JJ Cale song began to play....After Midnight, pretty appropriate since it was just a little after midnite. This was the original, not the cover by Slow Hand.
Some time around dawn I was down to final tillering, fastest I had ever made a bow. I glued on tip overlays and set it aside. That evening after work I hit tiller, draw weight, and draw length with a few dozen scrapes. I finish sanded and started laying on the finish. One of the best bows I have ever made and the recipient really liked it. I think I shipped it only a little late. My two take-away lessons: 1) Don't get caught in analysis paralysis, and 2) never beat yourself up excessively, learn to forgive yourself.
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Thanks , I’ll clear out some space.
How does everyone feel about next weekend as the shipping date?
Ill probably ship next week, bit if not, certainly the week after.
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I’m going to be good to go for the shipping date.
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In my haste to get this bow finished I forgot to put any info on it. So I’m guessing that I probably can’t do it after 4-5 coats of tru-oil. Also if I remember right I’ve seen that some of you knock the shine off with spray on (satin) polyurethane. I may or may not do that. I might leave that off it and if my recipient wants to dull it he can do it.
I guess I’ll include a card with the bows info on it. If I can’t get anything written on it. Not that that matters, at least to me.
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I did mine with tongue oil, then painted over that, then a couple coats of true oil over that to finish it. I think if you have an oil based paint or paint pen you could write over the true oil and then put one more coat over top once it's dry to protect it. Not sure if others have done that before or not.
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My pen writes on it but it rubs right off after drying for a while. I’m hoping my guy doesn’t care about the normal info put on a bow. I actually have their name on it. I might write info on it then put some tru oil or spray polyurethane on it.
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Bow is finished except for putting info on it.
Here are the stats
65.5 inches n t n
49.5 lbs at full draw after being out in my shop all night, it’s pretty humid here.
About 720 G total weight with 5-6 coats of tru oil and the handle wrap.
Measured the weight at
14 inch draw 19.2lb
18 inch “”. 28lb
22 inch. 38lb
26 inch. 49lb
I don’t know how to calculate the draw force curve. Probably need more measurements.
Seems like it gaining weight evenly and I guess that’s a good thing but, don’t know.
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Info on it, ready to ship.
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Got mine packed up today, it's ready to put in the mail.
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You should have all been sent your guy’s address. If you didn’t get it, or I sent you the wrong details, please just let me know.
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I’ll try and get mine out tomorrow.
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I was actually about to walk out the door to mail my bow off and my wife asked me if I’d thought about the impact the hurricane might have on shipping. I had not. So I’m thinking I’m going to wait at least a few days or a week and see how things are looking.
Really hoping everyone down that way is safe. It looked bad. I have a nephew in Sarasota who as of yesterday said it wasn’t to bad there.
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Not a bad idea. I'm in central NC and we had several tornados today, and the mountains had a lot of flooding. Everyone south of here got it really bad too. I'll probably put mine in the main Monday or Tuesday
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Im on the east coast on NC, we faired fine, but the west has been completely removed from the map. Waiting a few days makes sense.
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I agree. The more I read about it the worse it seems. Sounds like a complete catastrophe. I can’t imagine what the people in the south are going through. That storm was a monster. We got about 8 inches of rain here in Ohio. Trees down all over the place and some people still without power. Nothing compared to what happened south of us. Very sad.
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My bow has shipped! Now just hoping it survives the cross country journey.
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What’s it like in your neck of the woods Aaron? I was wondering if you got pounded by the storm too. I haven’t shipped my bow out yet. Hoping to get it out this weekend.
Glad Pat seems to be okay.
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Thanks for asking Musky, we are fine here, but we're only about 2 hrs away from some really bad stuff. Most of my family is up in the northern NC mountains, some still without power, but at least they are all safe. Still can't believe what this storm did, this state is no stranger to hurricanes and flooding, but the extent of this one is crazy.
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Hopefully you all will be getting some very pretty bows arriving soon. I need to tick received bows off my list and it is tradition to post a photo or three to PA. I’d like to keep the photos together to be easily searchable in the future, though this doesn’t stop you posting a separate thread as well. Would you prefer to post your bow photos in this thread or would you rather I create a seperate thread for all the pics?
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Sending mine today.
Bow is on its way. Heading south so I hope the aftermath of the hurricane doesn’t slow down its arrival. They told me it should arrive Wednesday. Hopefully that will happen.
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Hopefully you all will be getting some very pretty bows arriving soon. I need to tick received bows off my list and it is tradition to post a photo or three to PA. I’d like to keep the photos together to be easily searchable in the future, though this doesn’t stop you posting a separate thread as well. Would you prefer to post your bow photos in this thread or would you rather I create a seperate thread for all the pics?
I think posting it all on this one is fine, that was my plan anyway. But I'll do whatever
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This thread is fine for me too.
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That’s great, post final photos here please. Anyone with technical difficulties please email me your photos and I will post them on your behalf :D
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From Walski.
This bow exceeded my expectations, including the two different types arrows, the tiller was spot on, and the level of detail is beyond belief. It shoots beautiful without any hand shock. I’ve never seen a bow with the amount of time he must have spent on this bow, I need to change the way I build mine, after seeing this.
This bow trade, was a lot of fun, and a great experience for me, I’ve learned a lot, and would love to do it again.
(https://stuckinthemudsite.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image5-1.jpg)(https://stuckinthemudsite.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2-1.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3-2529427450-e1728331125896.jpeg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1-1.jpg)
(https://stuckinthemudsite.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image0-1-4047144458-e1728331285387.jpg)
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So glad you like it Walski! I appreciate the kind words. I agree this trade was a lot of fun, hoping we can do it again.
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Mighty fine lookin bow there! Love the Colors too.
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Oh boy! Pulled up the driveway today after work and there was a big cardboard tube propped against the garage!
Mike this bow is awesome! I've never had an Osage bow before, not a wood that grows here. I've not had a chance to shoot it yet, but I plan to this weekend and load some more pics too. You did a great job on this one, though, that's for sure. I'm really excited to get it out and shoot it. I'll update after that. But really appreciate the work that went into this bow.
I'm excited in case yall can't tell ;D
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Hope you like it and it works out for you. I heard you wanted it for hunting and it’s got the hunting weight. I had sent a letter with it but UPS told me they might cut the paper I had on the outside off and the letter was taped to the cardboard tube. Seems to be a good piece of wood and has about 200 or so shots through it. I couldn’t really see where it had taken any set. Whitetail arrow passes and tips. String is d97. Nocking point is dental floss and should be easy to change if it isn’t working for your setup.
Happy hunting
Muskyman
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Thanks Musky, yes the letter survived. And yeah it certainly has the weight, it's pulling about 45lbs at my draw length. It is a beautiful piece of wood. Like I said I've never had an Osage bow, or honestly ever seen Osage wood, but it really is a beautiful wood. I can't wait to get some arrows through it. Maybe tomorrow, but definately Saturday I'll have time to shoot some and do a true photo shoot.
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Got it out and put some arrows through it today. This thing will sling an arrow! Very impressed with how it shoots. Got some better pics to share too. Really happy with this bow, and again I appreciate the work that went into it. Thanks again!
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Couple more
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Glad it made it okay and that you like it. Good luck hunting this fall. It’s got a light walnut stain on it that I made last Fall. And your name was my first attempt at scrimshaw. Could have been better but I thought it was acceptable and didn’t want to push that. Beaver string silencers are also my first and hopefully won’t fly off it. Anyway several firsts for me with this bow and hopefully my first bow to take big game. Excited to get my bow and see what my builder has sent me.
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So I got some time today to work on my "failed" trade bow...sanded the last 24" of both Limbs to get the outer Limbs moving more. Promptly cracked the back of the bow when I tried to string it to check movement... :(
2 more pieces of river birch that might have a bow in them...
Might try chasing a ring on a piece of mulberry I've had in rafters for years...that seems like a really frustrating activity ???
Paul
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Glad to hear you haven’t given in! Chasing rings is a chore but can be really satisfying, best rough the stave out so you have less to work through.
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Nah, not yet. It seems being stubborn is good with this hobby.
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So I got home today and chatted with my wife for a bit then went inside to give my dog a few treats. I saw a piece of corrugated drainage pipe laying on the dining room table and I thought what the heck is she doing buying that, I’ve got a bunch of it out back. Then I saw it had some shipping labels on it and immediately knew what it was, my trade bow 😀A snakey Osage bow. Gold metal winning bow from Sleek. To dark for any photos but I’ll post some this weekend.
Also in the tube was a snake skin. I’m not sure what kind of snake it came from but wouldn’t want to stumble across him in the woods. Thinking about trying to look online and see if I can figure out what it might be. Maybe a python was my first thought, don’t know
Thanks Sleek, awesome bow with a pedigree. How cool is that..
Pictures this weekend.
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Sounds Awesome! Can't wait to see pics
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So I got home today and chatted with my wife for a bit then went inside to give my dog a few treats. I saw a piece of corrugated drainage pipe laying on the dining room table and I thought what the heck is she doing buying that, I’ve got a bunch of it out back. Then I saw it had some shipping labels on it and immediately knew what it was, my trade bow 😀A snakey Osage bow. Gold metal winning bow from Sleek. To dark for any photos but I’ll post some this weekend.
Also in the tube was a snake skin. I’m not sure what kind of snake it came from but wouldn’t want to stumble across him in the woods. Thinking about trying to look online and see if I can figure out what it might be. Maybe a python was my first thought, don’t know
Thanks Sleek, awesome bow with a pedigree. How cool is that..
Pictures this weekend.
Glad it arrived. Also check your mail box, there is an envelope coming with the paperwork for the bow from the competition. As the bow was shot in womens division, I obviously didnt win the medal to send with the bow as i intended. So i sent you the registration form with the arrow distance on it.
The bow didnt perform as well as i had hoped in contest. The problem wad getting good arrow flight. It was mostly limited by the arrows performance. In practice i borrowed an arrow that shot far enough to tie and possibly break Arvins record which would have been very exciting. Unfortunatly that arrow was not a legal arrow in primitive category as it had a plastic nock.
When i got home I let the bow sit several weeks and i think that was a mistake. The humidity here is aweful and the bow lost speed. I was shooting 204fps and after sitting home, it shot 190s a few times before slowing down to 160s. Im sure if you dry the bow out it will speed up again.
The stave was not an easy one to work. Its character fought me every step of the way. I didnt feel confident heat treating the bow anywhere near my normal heat treat. Im certain that played a roll in its being affected by humidity.
Your draw being so long, i couldnt possibly post about it here without you guessing it was for you. But I did record and document the bow build along with a few others on my facebook page SleeksSticks. There you can watch almost the entire build process.
Im certain if you get that bow dry, its performance will go back up to where i designed it. There are 2 strings on it. The white is a lenin string that was used in contest. The other is a fast flight style string made from power pro fishing line. Do not serve the natural string btw, that causes them to break.
The snake is python. I was going to put it on the bow, which is why i waited so ship so long. But, i couldnt make up my mind if i wanted to risk adding more moisture from the glue into the bow, its dry time, and changing the bow from how it was in competition to being a backed bow. Ive seen your work, and figured id let you make that decision, and sent the skin for you to use as you see fit on what ever bow you like.
Im sorry i made you wait so long to receive it, i just couldnt decide what to do with it. I hope you enjoy it and are able to watch the videos on it, and thank you for being a good sport about the longer wait.
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It’s all good Sleek. I wasn’t worried at all. I was wondering about the other string. I actually thought it was on there to keep its profile or something like that. Didn’t know it was an actual bowstring. Not sure if I’ll put the snakeskin on it. All though it sure looks like it should have one. Definitely snakey. I’ve never done a snakeskin before so I’ll have to watch some videos. I’ve put rawhide on before but really only once. I’ve seen a video or two of people putting them on but didn’t pay much attention. I’ll keep an eye on the mail for the other stuff and post when I get it.
Thanks again for the awesome bow. Love it.
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Got my bow out and shot it about a dozen times today..shoots fast, but I need to get some arrows that match it. I’ll fool around with it more over the next week or two.. cool little bow, it’s short and I kinda freaked out when I put it on my tilling tree to check the weight.
A few pictures
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Got my bow out and shot it about a dozen times today..shoots fast, but I need to get some arrows that match it. I’ll fool around with it more over the next week or two.. cool little bow, it’s short and I kinda freaked out when I put it on my tilling tree to check the weight.
A few pictures
What did it weight?
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Awesome lookin bow. Love the look of a snakey bow, lots of character.
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A little over 50 lbs. I’ll be honest I was so freaked out looking at how much it was bent I don’t remember exactly. Next time I’ll write it down. 51-52 lbs I think.
Yeah Aaron, got to love them snakey bows.
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Well done sleek! Enjoy muskyman.
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A little over 50 lbs. I’ll be honest I was so freaked out looking at how much it was bent I don’t remember exactly. Next time I’ll write it down. 51-52 lbs I think.
Yeah Aaron, got to love them snakey bows.
You should check out the videos on facebook of me making it, on SleeksSticks. I bend em that far all tye time, but that one gave me heart burn. Its character really made things difficult As it dries out its speed should pick up.
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Well done sleek! Enjoy muskyman.
Thanks Arvin. Im hoping we can do another trade next year.
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https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BdkPvfUVX/?mibextid=gYSGZt
This is a video of Jessica Corbett shooting the bow in competition at the flats.
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This is a video of the build process. The comments have videos of the process, make certain you click "newest comments" to get them in order.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EXb9jABNq/?mibextid=gYSGZt
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Stuckinthemud I was trying to reply to your message but yes I have sent my bow last week and it should be there this week!
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Yay!!!!! Thank you that is us all done barring the last photographs. Thank you to everyone and I do mean EVERYONE who contributed to this junior trade, it’s been an honour and a privilege. Mafort, my apologies I had no idea my messages were full, I shall scuttle off in shame and clear out my inbox post-haste. All being well, I hope we can do it all again next year, so if you’ve been inspired, watch this space mid January and we’ll have another go.
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A little over 50 lbs. I’ll be honest I was so freaked out looking at how much it was bent I don’t remember exactly. Next time I’ll write it down. 51-52 lbs I think.
Yeah Aaron, got to love them snakey bows.
Hows that bow shooting for you?
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Haven’t shot it much Sleek but what I did it seems to shoot pretty good. I’ll probably sand it some and put some tru oil on it before I start shooting it more. Probably next spring. Seems to be fast but I don’t have a chronograph and I probably need some arrows for it. It’s a nice bow and I love it, thanks for making it for me.
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Haven’t shot it much Sleek but what I did it seems to shoot pretty good. I’ll probably sand it some and put some tru oil on it before I start shooting it more. Probably next spring. Seems to be fast but I don’t have a chronograph and I probably need some arrows for it. It’s a nice bow and I love it, thanks for making it for me.
Absolutley. Change it however you wish, I sent it to you raw because thats how i make them to shoot flight. .Glad you enjoy it.