Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Larry m on April 04, 2012, 02:37:00 PM

Title: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 04, 2012, 02:37:00 PM
I picked this up a while back on the big auction. The bow was described as solid with no limb twist but needing work. I was not aware of it at the time but this bow was being auctioned off by the late Al Readers son Dave Harby while in the process of cleaning out some of the less desirable inventory. The resident Bow Dr's are so backed up with inventory I thought I would give it a go myself.  (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles115.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles114.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles113.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles110.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles109.jpg)
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 04, 2012, 02:42:00 PM
A lot of good info came from bd's 101 That and a lot of patience so as not to be in a hurry. My goal was to restore and leave as much original as possible. Blending the holes and dealing with the etched in serial number took a bit of effort. Topped it off with a feather rest from Trap. With my draw length this will put me in the low 40#s which is what I like to shoot. Now I just need to twist up a string.   (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles175.jpg)   (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles166.jpg)  (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles164.jpg)  (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles163.jpg)  (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles162.jpg)
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Bel007 on April 04, 2012, 03:31:00 PM
Very nice!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: vintage-bears on April 04, 2012, 03:43:00 PM
What a great job Larry!
Congratulations..........Philip
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Warberg on April 04, 2012, 04:46:00 PM
Thats a dandy Larry. Super job   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: yellow bow on April 04, 2012, 04:52:00 PM
Great job Larry.     :cool:
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Bjorn on April 04, 2012, 05:22:00 PM
Whoa! Great job Larry! The wood is especially handsome-what is the finish?
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Jack Shanks on April 04, 2012, 05:31:00 PM
Nice job Larry!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: hayslope on April 04, 2012, 06:20:00 PM
You did very well!!!  Looks like a different bow!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: JavelinaHink on April 04, 2012, 06:25:00 PM
Great job Larry  :thumbsup:  I have a MSW 59 if you want to have another project.   :cool:  Hink
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 04, 2012, 06:33:00 PM
It's was trial and error all the way. Used Testers Paint for the touch up and tried to go over it with Tung Oil but it wiped and smeared the paint. Same with the India Ink on the lettering. The only good part about the Tung Oil was it soaked in and restored a lot of the bows original color. Then tried spraying a water based poly to hold the paint and ink. This worked out just fine. Lots of sanding in between. Finished up with many coats of Tru Oil with light sanding in between and then Minwax. I certainly have a new sense of appreciation for what the bow doctor's accomplish here...
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Mike Shaw on April 04, 2012, 08:32:00 PM
A very fine job indeed! you are a craftsman for sure.
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: JJB on April 04, 2012, 09:56:00 PM
Beautiful work Larry!
-Jay
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Precurve on April 05, 2012, 06:21:00 AM
Very nice work Larry!  I always love seeing these old classics brought back to life.  Great job on those drilled holes in the front section of the riser.

Dave
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: d. ward on April 05, 2012, 06:50:00 AM
OUTSTANDING job Larry beautiful work bd
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: 59Alaskan on April 05, 2012, 08:25:00 AM
Beautiful bow!!  Great work!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: damascusdave on April 05, 2012, 09:30:00 AM
Been away for a while and I come back to this.

That is some really great work Larry. Bjorn, Jack and Don do not give praise lightly. And any connection to Mr. Reader gives a bow a whole different level of mojo.

I would send 45, one of the twins to you for some work,but I have an idea it might not come back.

And thanks guys for reminding me I need to get my act together to get a guide's license. We could put a hunt together and call it "A Bunch of Old Bears Hunting Big Bears with Old Bears". Fred would be proud of us.

DDave
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: 59Alaskan on April 05, 2012, 10:13:00 AM
WHOA!! IT'S DAVE!
Welcome back Dave!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 05, 2012, 12:27:00 PM
The strike plate was a piece of cake. I had ordered one from 3R's but it was of such poor quality I used it for a template. Soaked my piece of leather and used a straight edge and a butter knife for the scoring. The pattern for the grip came from bd's 101. Thanks Doc!!!!Resized for my grip and again soaked the leather and used carpenter's glue in a 3 phase installation of stretching, placement and drying. This took a bit of effort.
 
Thanks for All of your positive comments! I learned a lot while in the process and the next one will be a bit easier. (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles117.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/Articles167.jpg)
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: damascusdave on April 05, 2012, 01:17:00 PM
Great news you guys. Just talked to my buddy Eric and my guide's license is already in process. That means we have a whole lot more options for hunting in the Canadian wilderness (or my back yard).

DDave
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: d. ward on April 05, 2012, 01:27:00 PM
what the hell Larry I thought it looked so darn nice I came back for another look.....once again very nice job bd
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: SportHunter on April 06, 2012, 11:17:00 PM
Very nice job Larry, turned out very sweet.
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: 4runr on April 06, 2012, 11:31:00 PM
Beautiful job Larry!!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: johnnyrazorhead on April 07, 2012, 12:24:00 AM
Larry- You did an absolutely fantastic job on that bow.When I first looked at the before pictures I honestly didn't expect a "novice" to do such an outstanding job.I expected something much less original looking,more like something I would end up with if I attempted a re-fin.I was pleasantly surprised.Nice job!!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 07, 2012, 02:24:00 AM
I am totally humbled by the wonderful comments above. Everything I have picked up on bow restoration has come from the very generous sharing of knowledge by other Tradgangers. I'm a long way from the resident Bow Dr's but certainly having a great deal of fun.
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: d. ward on April 07, 2012, 07:27:00 AM
ok just to prove I am not bull shrimping you Larry I had to peak at that little gem one more time..........if you don't love the looks of a 1959 Kodiak looking like the day it left Grayling you need help bd
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 07, 2012, 12:05:00 PM
Thank You Doc!  You the Man....
   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: wooddamon1 on April 08, 2012, 06:05:00 PM
Very nice job!
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Sal on April 17, 2012, 03:59:00 PM
I got to paw that bow this past weekend, and unless he pointed them out, I couldn't find the small holes.

Larry did a fantastic job restoring the bow that it cannot be grasped from pictures.  The bow looks like a new bow should.
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Larry m on April 17, 2012, 06:05:00 PM
Thanks Sal
Chamberlin was the BEST as usual. Vince and Kathy do a great job and put on a first class shoot. That road was a bit much with all the rain though! lol
See you at Canejo in a few weeks.......
Title: Re: 1959 Kodiak Restoration Project
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 17, 2012, 08:49:00 PM
Nicely done!