West Coast Indian bow ..... Question

[coaster500]

One of the bows I'm working on is a sinew backed yew west coast Indian style bow. The 5 layers of sinew are ready to start the finish tillering process.

Question at this point the curved tip are static should they be this way or should they bend??? The bow is 43"s NTN.....

[Bryce]

what draw length are you looking for? how wide is it?

-Pinecone

[coaster500]

It is 1 3/8's at the handle 1 3/4 at the widest part of the limbs...  as far as draw with only 43"s it will be in the low twenty's ...  this is an experiment and I'll try to learn how to shoot it like they did. It's the first shorty and the first time with sinew. All new territory for me....

[Bryce]

i say make those tips work, tiller very slow. you should get a nice half circle(minus the tips of course). i usually take a protractor and hold it up to my eye and make the bow match the shape. but make sure the tips bend the same amount on both sides, its a tricky balancing act, but im sure you can pull off a 24" draw. which is a normal west coast draw length.
im assuming the arrow is passing threw at center?


(edit***) and it looks like you took the sapwood off, Good job! you did your research

-Pinecone

[tattoo dave]

Lookin good. I'd say working tips also. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Tattoo Dave

[sharpend60]

Keep us updated, Ive been wanting to do one of these for some time.

[Gordon]

With a short bow like that you'll need as much of the limbs as you can working.

[Keenan]

I agree with Bryce and Gordon. Make them work slightly and you'll get a little extra draw as well as a little more kick on the arrow as they snap back. Looks awesome so far Kip. Looking forward to seeing her finished

[coaster500]

Thank you.....

Work on the bow a bit last evening and heard a click/tick

I worked slowly to about 16 inches and looking real good.

I can't see any damage yet???

I hope it's just the sinew but being the first???

[blackhawk]

It could've just been the glue making a noise if you used too much...a common mistake for first time sinewers

[Bryce]

Blackpheasant, is right. Just some glue crack. With 5 layers of sinew, the chances of that thing breaking are very low.

-Pinecone

[Carson (CMB)]

That looks real nice.  I am curious to find out how it shoots for you.