Last stave of gauva, some pics of getting started

[Paka]

This is hopefully the one, made a bunch of bows that didnt hold or  or meet the weight I wanted  but  thought I
d post some pics of my rookie build along

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[Paka]

 I think this is recurved limbs , not decurved right??

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[ken75]

Paka looks like a challenging stave im interested in seein this one born

[Paka]

Well got out the block plane and rasp last nite , and tried taking it down to flloor tillering size weight . For anyone gettig started, I've bein using a machete and rasp in the past for all these stages so far untill I got a $10 dollar block plane and what a difference it makes. Long even wood removal without alot of machete gauges . If anyones like me and starting off without many funds or wood working tool's , work with what you got and try to slowly add to your tool inventory. Plus , when you do get a new tool you'll really apprecaite it , and have all the memories off other techniques you have tried. Anyways here some pics

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[Paka]

 I'll put it up on the tree  after a little more wood removal and I'll take any advice on tillering you all may have . Till later Paka

[Josh]

...just take it slow and get it bending evenly from fades to tips... when I first started I went and looked at all the full draw pictures of other peoples bows I could find on the message board.  Then just tried to get the same bend.    Good luck! 

[youngbowyer33]

looks good so far

[Paka]

heres progress tonight 1st pic long string hanging 13 inches . 2nd pic is at 19 inches at 35 lbs . 3rd pic is 20" at 40 pounds . I"m shooting for 27 " draw at 50 pounds. I'm gonna keep working on shaving down limbs for the right bends . Is my long string to long?? Should I long string to 27 inches at 50 lbs  , then go to short string?? What do you all think? Any comments would be great Paka

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[bambule]

I give the bow a good floor tiller and brace it very early. The long string gives a wrong picture.
Be careful - a reflexed stave like yours often feels too strong so scraping too much wood and coming to a 30# is the result 

And yes - your long string is too long (for me) 

[Paka]

10/4 there buddy , I'll shorten the string

[Josh]

Just remember to go slow and keep it bending evenly.  Exercise it good between wood removal sessions.  Gonna be a nice-un if you take your time with it. 

[Paka]

 Its 1.5 inches at widest points and am wondering if its safer to shave wood off the sides and leave more wood on belly , or just take wood off the belly and keep the width I feel like I"ll probally do both in the end But am ruuning all I can by you all . Thanks Guys and Gals Paka

[Paka]

Aloha  Woodbending Folks ,
   Well I shortened my long string to 5 inches of play before it pulls on limbs . Thats the 1st pic. Second pic is at 50# at 20 inches . Will keep shaving away .    Tommorow I'll go to short sting , then to brace hopefully in the future .Midnight here, time to crash . Paka
  Actually the 1st pic is now the 2nd pic , n 2nd pic 1st

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[youngbowyer33]

just remember not to go over your target weight. Remove some more wood and make it bend a little more so you can really see it, then get it to low brace.

[Paka]

getting there , bottom picc is with same 4 inch extra longstring at 50lbs at 21 " . Should I go to tillering string (4 inch tiller ) or a 1 inch tillering string??  Or keep long stringing till 26 inches and keep working on tips and around hinges??

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