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Author Topic: T-dog's First selfbow  (Read 5745 times)

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Offline tdog

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T-dog's First selfbow
« on: May 11, 2010, 11:03:27 pm »
Well, almost 1 year after buying a hickory stave/blank at the Howard Hill shoot, I finally got around to completing my first selfbow. I started on the bow in February(fight after deer season) and got it to the floor tiller stage and left it until about 3 weeks ago. I then got the itch to finish and decided that I would have it done in time to shoot it at the HH this June. Lots of scraping, rasping, and sanding later, I had myself my first selfbow. I went for simple and safe by doing a pyramid style and made it plenty long(69"ntn). I originally planned to put some tip overlays on, but after getting it tillered to the point of being able to shoot it, I got so excited that I wanted to get it finished as soon as possible.

I would rate the bow as follows: Positives - smooth drawing, very quiet, surprisingly fast ;  Negatives - hand shock(but not much worse than most HH bows that I've shot), and the string tracks to the left of center somewhat which makes an armguard a necessity.

My impressions are that making a selfbow is not that hard, when you start with a good piece of wood. Making a selfbow that looks like most of the works of art that you guys post on here is another level altogether ;D

Well, here are some pics. Specs are: 69" ntn - Low #50's at 30"



[attachment deleted by admin]
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It doesn't matter how or what you shoot, as long as you hit your target.

Mark(Wetumpka,AL)

Offline tombo

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2010, 11:12:57 pm »
Nice looking bow Tdog. Certainly respectable your the 1st self bow. If you want to get rid of the elbow shock, thin your tips a bit. Tom
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Offline tdog

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2010, 11:14:48 pm »
Here is a full draw shot and a group that I shot from ~15yds

[attachment deleted by admin]
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It doesn't matter how or what you shoot, as long as you hit your target.

Mark(Wetumpka,AL)

Shadow Walker

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2010, 11:44:01 pm »
That's an awesome job for your first bow! My first didn't turn out nearly as well.
Keep up the good work.
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Offline Pat B

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2010, 11:52:27 pm »
Very nice job and especially for your first bow. Tiller looks great!
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Offline Josh

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2010, 12:39:27 am »
Very nice bow!!!   I wish my first looked that good, great grouping also.   :) You live around Birmingham?  I live in Gardendale/Fultondale Area...
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Offline tdog

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2010, 12:48:28 am »
Thanks guys. I read TBB 1 & 4 as well as countless posts on here and other sites and decided that a pyramid style would be best to try first. I had read that this style of bow was easiest to tiller, and that was true on this bow. Once I had the pyramid dimensions finished, I mostly just scraped(and scraped, and scraped!) equal numbers on each limb until I had it down to final weight. Only minor adjustments early on. I would definately recommend this style to anyone starting out.

I also made my first string for this bow. So far, neither has broken!LOL!

Josh, Wetumpka is about 1.5hr south of Birmingham, just above Montgomery.
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It doesn't matter how or what you shoot, as long as you hit your target.

Mark(Wetumpka,AL)

Offline AncientArcher76

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2010, 01:04:23 am »
Great looking self bow!  Hickory is fun to work with as it can be a challenge.  Tiller looks good and also appears to shoot a good group.  Good job and hopefully we will see more bows from u in the future!

Cheers

Russell
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2010, 02:27:37 am »
That a really good first bow, that is for sure!
You mention it has a bit of hand shock. That could probably be reduced by narrowing the tips some more; there's plenty of material there.
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2010, 05:30:32 am »
Great jon on that bow! Jawge
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Offline Pappy

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2010, 07:41:13 am »
Very well done for you first,wished mine had turned out that good.  :)   
   Pappy
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2010, 08:36:23 am »
Very nice tiller, looks smooth and sweet.
But that glove is so 8o's  ;)
Nice to see a longer draw for a change (ELB style)
Del
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half eye

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #12 on: May 12, 2010, 08:50:40 am »
Better keep lookin over yer shoulder, eh? That bow buildin bug is sneeking up on ya :D Very nice, think about keeping it as you wont ever have another "first" and a few years up the road you'll be able to blame that bugger for all the trouble ya been up to.
Rich
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Offline n2everythg

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2010, 11:02:27 am »
Very nice job on your first bow.
N2
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Offline tdog

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Re: T-dog's First selfbow
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2010, 11:34:43 am »
Rich, you are right, I can see where this could be addicitive. I will definately keep this one to hopefully see the improvement with each one made. I am going back to the HH shoot next month and will be looking for a new stave to start on. Also, I have about 40 acres of property that has lots of hickory that I may try out. I think making a bow from a tree on my own property would be cool. Killing a deer with it would be awesome, but I am getting ahead of myself.

Mark
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It doesn't matter how or what you shoot, as long as you hit your target.

Mark(Wetumpka,AL)
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