Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Apex Predator on January 08, 2009, 07:42:00 AM

Title: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 08, 2009, 07:42:00 AM
Here is my latest in progress.  This one has a cocobolo riser, bamboo limb cores, and zebra limb faces.  These are after peeling the tape off the glass for the first time.  She is gonna be gorgeous!

  (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Sneakpeek-1.jpg)

  (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Sneakpeek-2.jpg)

  (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Sneakpeek-4.jpg)

This is the best looking zebra I have used.  It's really dark.

  (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Sneakpeek-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: bjansen on January 08, 2009, 07:50:00 AM
Looks excellent Apex!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: mastin03 on January 08, 2009, 08:52:00 AM
wow...sweet lookin bow apex.  cant wait to see that one finished!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Pat B on January 08, 2009, 09:34:00 AM
She's gonna be a beauty, Apex. You are nocking these bows out lately!!!    Pat
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: ChristopherO on January 08, 2009, 11:18:00 AM
The quality of your work is appearent even before final finishing.  Those color tones will give it a warm effect.  Long bow or R/D?
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 08, 2009, 11:39:00 AM
Thanks guys, this one has a straight profile.
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: flint kemper on January 08, 2009, 07:31:00 PM
Apex, just send it to me and I will take it for you. I know you cannot like it that much. HA HA. I tell you what you have come so far so fast look at those riser tapers and glue lines. Very nice indeed. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Flint
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Frenchymanny on January 08, 2009, 07:57:00 PM
Very nice!

F-Manny
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: TNstickn on January 08, 2009, 08:19:00 PM
Its gonna be beautiful!!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: SteveD on January 09, 2009, 04:57:00 AM
Very nice Marty. Great work
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 12, 2009, 08:01:00 AM
Made some good progress on this one!  After stringing her for the first time, I found that it was gonna come in under weight. @#$%  I had to shorten her by one inch, and re-do the tips.  She will now be a 65" NTN bow, which is still mighty fine.  Here are some progress photos.  The cocobolo and zebra look very classy together, with subdued contrast.  I think I like this better than the "flashy", drastic contrast.

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-12-09-1.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-12-09-2.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-12-09-3.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-12-09-4.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-12-09-5.jpg)

Now to shape the riser and final sand/finish.
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: bjansen on January 12, 2009, 08:33:00 AM
Looks excellent...I really like how you do the tips.  Great job!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Focusource on January 12, 2009, 08:43:00 AM
I second that emotion.
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: TimZeigler on January 12, 2009, 12:02:00 PM
Another fine piece of work, looking forward to seeing it all done.

Tim
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 13, 2009, 09:14:00 AM
If this isn't "hand-made", I don't know what is!

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-13-09-1.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-13-09-2.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-13-09-3.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-13-09-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: mastin03 on January 13, 2009, 09:38:00 AM
that sure is coming along nicely....i really like the wood combo you've got on this one
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: kennym on January 13, 2009, 07:46:00 PM
Love it Marty,you guys and your Hill styles are makin me want to build another one!!!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: PV on January 13, 2009, 08:46:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Apex Predator:
[QB] If this isn't "hand-made", I don't know what is!

  (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-13-09-1.jpg)
 You got that right bro. Seeing that 4 way made my arms cringe!!
  Like what your doing with your tips   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: TNstickn on January 13, 2009, 09:35:00 PM
:clapper:
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 16, 2009, 09:29:00 AM
She is ready to put the first coat of finish on now!  I will apply Fullerplast to the bare wood, then sand it all off in order to fill the wood grain.

Looking awesome!

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/1-16-09-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: kennym on January 16, 2009, 07:02:00 PM
Dang straight,awesome!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: ron w on January 21, 2009, 08:04:00 PM
Your do'n good, real good! Nice job!!!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 27, 2009, 08:03:00 AM
This one turned out really well!

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-1.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-2.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-4.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-5.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-6.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-7.jpg)

 (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/AP01109-8.jpg)
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: BMN on January 27, 2009, 09:41:00 AM
Very nice!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Carbon Caster on January 27, 2009, 11:37:00 AM
Looks GREAT buddy!!!
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: bjansen on January 27, 2009, 06:29:00 PM
Looks absolutely great Apex...May i ask a question

I really like the matte finish you put on your bows....do you simply frost the final coate(i.e. keeping a distance and lightly coating the bow) to achieve that result?
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 27, 2009, 07:56:00 PM
Yep, I hold my sprayer at a distance to get the frosted effect.
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: kennym on January 27, 2009, 08:04:00 PM
:clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Ray_G on January 27, 2009, 08:17:00 PM
Marty,

What a beauty!!  Your overlay lines are real crisp on the tips and the back.  You have worked your finish really well, too.  Just think, it wasn't only about a year ago that you were wonderin' .... should I or shouldn't I?

Well done     :clapper:

Ray
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: eman614 on January 27, 2009, 11:41:00 PM
that is one fine looking bow. i have a question for you. i'm trying to build one similar for my little brother, and iam having some difficulties. first, are the fades on either side of the riser block the same. same distance from center, and same curve. second, how far from center is your arrow rest, and does this make a difference. i have made a couple out of oak just messing around and the top limb is always much stiffer than the bottom. i am thinking that it may have to do with the location of my riser.thanks for the help, and did i mention that that bow is BEAUTIFUL!!!
ERIC
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: SteveD on January 28, 2009, 04:55:00 AM
Beautiful Job Marty. Looks great
Title: Re: Latest bow! Updated often.
Post by: Apex Predator on January 28, 2009, 05:30:00 AM
1) first, are the fades on either side of the riser block the same. same distance from center, and same curve.

I use the same template to draw in both fades.  This one has equal length limbs, with the center of the bow at the center of the riser.  It is tillered even for a three under draw.

2) second, how far from center is your arrow rest, and does this make a difference.

My shelf is cut almost 2" from center on this one.  I normally make my bows with the bottom limb 1" shorter, and the shelf closer to 1" off for split fingered shooters.

This one is cut almost to center.  It's less than 1/8".