Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ranger 3 on February 05, 2009, 06:10:00 PM
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I have a new stave coming soon from John and thought I would try to make a recurve. Any and all suggestions would be a great help since I have never attempted to make one before.
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Do you have a form to bend your tips. Be sure there is a metal band to support the outside of the curve as you bend it so it doesn't splinter.
Once you get your stave, remove the bark and sapwood and find a good back ring. Then decide the shape of your bow. I usually don't bend the curves until after floor tillering. Leave the tips wide for later adjustments.
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You mean a metel band like the one that comes on a bundle on wood?
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Ranger, Here is a pic of one of my set ups. If I can find a better pic I will post it.
You can see the band attached to the bottom of the form. It comes up over the form and is clamped to the stave down the limb so as the wood heats and begins to bend the band tightens up on the belly of the bow, compressing the outside of the curve to prevent splintering. In this pic the band isn't as tight as it usually would be above the clamps. I may have posed this pic to see the band.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forDon002.jpg)
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I understand, I will have to find a metel band.
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You want a band that is the width(or wider) of what you intend to bend. What I used was some 1 1/4" metal strips that someone had cut off of a bigger piece. Metal banding that holds lumber together is usually about 3/4" if I remember correctly. The stuff that is used to secure loads to a r RR flat car is usually 1" or a bit wider.
Occasionally I'll have a few splinters even with the band. That's why I leave the tips thicker than the ultimate tips and will fill these splinters with super glue. Generally the splinters will be removed when the tip thickness is reduced but if any remain the super glue will hold them down. Pat
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Here's a static recurve I built several years ago. Banding is a good idea. I use a big bandsaw blade I got from work. A thin yardstick will also work. Just about any sheet metal will work. Shipping your stave tomorrow. She's a beauty and no bark or sapwood to worry about :)
Recurve Buildalong (http://residents.bowhunting.net/sticknstring/static1.html)
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There are a couple pics of some recurve/reflex jigs on this page: Recent Stuff (actually old stuff now) (http://residents.bowhunting.net/sticknstring/recent.html)
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John, That Michigan recurve is cool. I'm thinking about a short sinew backed recurve and this one looks perfect...maybe a bit shorter though!
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Thanks you guys