Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: TomMcDonald on February 27, 2009, 05:24:00 PM

Title: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on February 27, 2009, 05:24:00 PM

Here she is. I'm pretty proud of how it's gone so far.
getting the final shape on the fades and sides and backing with linen today and building a tiller device of some sort.

Now, the tip!  :cry: Will a hardwood tip overlay be the best thing to do here?

 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow007.jpg)
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow008.jpg)
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow009.jpg)
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow010.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: formerbutcher on February 27, 2009, 06:38:00 PM

Hi, What kind of wood is it made from ? You might not have to put a tip overlay on it if it's a hard wood. It is looking good ! Welcome to the world of wood bow building, it's an addictive habit !!

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on February 27, 2009, 07:04:00 PM

A tip overlay is not necessary on most bow woods but they sure look good. Hardwood, antler, bone, leather saturated with super glue...lots of options!
  Keep us posted with pics. You're getting to the fun part!

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on February 27, 2009, 07:22:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by formerbutcher:
Hi, What kind of wood is it made from ? You might not have to put a tip overlay on it if it's a hard wood. It is looking good ! Welcome to the world of wood bow building, it's an addictive habit !!

Yes it's hard wood. spotted gum. Thanks.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on February 27, 2009, 07:23:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Pat B:
A tip overlay is not necessary on most bow woods but they sure look good. Hardwood, antler, bone, leather saturated with super glue...lots of options!
  Keep us posted with pics. You're getting to the fun part!

Even with the baad bit in my tip?

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Shakes.602 on February 27, 2009, 08:26:00 PM

Looks Good to Me, but I am No Judge on such things.


“Perfection is such a nuisance that I often regret having cured myself of using tobacco.” - Zola<----<<< Good Sig Line!! :goldtooth:

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on February 27, 2009, 09:43:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Shakes.602:
Looks Good to Me, but I am No Judge on such things.


“Perfection is such a nuisance that I often regret having cured myself of using tobacco.” - Zola<----<<< Good Sig Line!!  :goldtooth:  

Thanks heaps bud. Yeah, it's a good one.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on February 27, 2009, 11:22:00 PM

I didn't realize you were from down under. I was trying to figure what kinda of wood that was.
Is spotted gum a "hard" wood?   How wide are your tips? You may be able to eliminate the bad area on the left side and fill the part on the back with super glue and saw dust...or add an overlay!

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on February 27, 2009, 11:37:00 PM

Spotted gum is hardwood and an extremely hard wood.
Tips are 1/4 inch.
I was thinking of gluing the bad part up because it's not that deep.
Also, it's on the belly side, so a tip overlay wouldn't cover it but would only be there to make that area deeper or thicker.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on February 27, 2009, 11:42:00 PM

You shouldn't need to do anything with that area. With hardwood you don't need overlays. When you cut your string grooves you may have to dress the edges up if they cross that bad area so it doesn't abrade your string.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on February 28, 2009, 12:55:00 AM

Great, thanks Pat B.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 01, 2009, 12:43:00 AM

Slow day. Backed the bow with some linen.
Is this how it should look?

Also, what glue to use for nock overlays?

 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow011.jpg)

 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow012.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on March 01, 2009, 10:13:00 AM

If the linen is attached solidly without air pockets the uneven coloration should even out when you put down your finish. You may want to test it first in a not so obvious area. If you are not satisfied you can stain the back.
   I have used super glue, TiteBond glue and 2ton epoxy for overlays with good results. I have used both thin and gel super glue and both work but the gel is better IMO.
   Be sure to round your back edges before you stress the bow so if there is a potential splinter it will be eliminated or at least relieved.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 01, 2009, 03:08:00 PM

Yep, it's not air as far as I can tell.
I've rounded them, but will do it again tonight.
I've changed the taper profile to finalise the shape.
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on March 01, 2009, 03:11:00 PM

Looks good. Now lets get it bending!

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: LoneWolf on March 02, 2009, 01:50:00 PM

Looks great so far.  If spotted gum is anything like Sweet Gum we have in Alabama, probably will not need overlays on the tips.  Keep the pics rolling as you work on it, can't wait to see how it turns out.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 02, 2009, 03:30:00 PM

I've decided to only use tip overlays if handshock becomes an issue.
I'll update as I'm going, I've got a rental house inspection tomorrow so lots of cleaning and no bow making.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on March 02, 2009, 03:44:00 PM

If you have hand shock, tip overlays will only add more tip weight and increase the shock.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 02, 2009, 04:12:00 PM

OK so I was under the impression I could narrow the tips if they were overlayed, decreasing the shock.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 02, 2009, 04:23:00 PM

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Pat B on March 03, 2009, 01:21:00 AM

You can narrow the tips without overlays. Overlays are basically cosmetic except for softer wood like yew and juniper. You should leave the tips a bit thicker so when you do narrow them you still have the strength so the tips don't bend.
   If you plan to cut string grooves across the back of your tips you must have overlays. Do not cut string groove across the back without them.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 03, 2009, 03:57:00 AM

Ok thanks Pat B.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 07, 2009, 03:26:00 AM

I decided in the end to put some overlays, if for nothing else, then for the experience.
Roughed-out here.
 
The wood is Australian hardwood Jarrah.
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/DSCF1297.jpg)

 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/DSCF1298.jpg)

 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/DSCF1299.jpg)
Bought some materials to make a tillering stick so that should be up and going over this long weekend.

Before that though, making a string.

I think the string grooves are too straight. I'll see how it goes with a string.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on March 07, 2009, 04:36:00 AM

Good on ya, Tom!

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 07, 2009, 05:55:00 AM

Cheers Ben.

Well I made up a longstring with Fast Flight and jeez, it feels about 100# at 3 inches.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: razorback on March 07, 2009, 07:20:00 AM

Tom. Take it real slow when removing wood, and exercise the limbs a whole bunch before stressing it again. Those Jarrah tips look real nice, wish I could get it easily over here but the only place I have seen it is as a pair of seats outside a dunny at a national park. Fanciest place to take a bog I have ever seen and you couldn't even wash your hands.
Razor.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 07, 2009, 07:30:00 AM

Razorback, that's the funniest thing I've heard all day.
I'm gonna take it as slowly as possible.
Thanks.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 07, 2009, 06:02:00 PM

There are buildalongs on my site. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/archer.html

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 07, 2009, 09:48:00 PM

Jawge, thanks. Are you saying my bow is no good?

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 08, 2009, 05:10:00 AM

Made a pretty simple tiller device.
I've since fixed the right limb.
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow013.jpg)
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow014.jpg)
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/Longbow015.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 08, 2009, 06:11:00 AM

Next step: MORE SCRAPING!
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/DSCF1343.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 08, 2009, 12:23:00 PM

Tom, that actually looks pretty darn good to me. Very nice and congratulations! Enjoy your first. Jawge

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 08, 2009, 04:09:00 PM

Thanks heaps Jawge.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 08, 2009, 04:46:00 PM

What a feeling ha? I still get that rush, Tom. I  just don't make as  many as I used to now. Enjoy your bow in good health.  :)  Jawge

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 08, 2009, 04:49:00 PM

Well Jawge, still got a bit of work on tiller to do. Haven't drawn passed about 15 inches yet.
Thanks for your kind words, though, and thanks for the link to the website. It's in my favourites now.

Tom.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 09, 2009, 07:18:00 AM

Sanding etc...
Some unwanted tool marks that would change the bow too much so just sort of cleaned them up a bit.

  (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/2009_03090105.jpg)
 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/tomalophicon/2009_03090110.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: razorback on March 10, 2009, 01:04:00 PM

Your a brave man Tom. that cup of stain on the carpet and the missus standing right there.  :scared:  
Unless thats your hand with the nail polish.
Bow is looking real good, we need a full draw shot once it is finalised. The spotted gum looks good. Have you seen many self bows done with Aussie hardwoods.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 10, 2009, 04:56:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by razorback:
Your a brave man Tom. that cup of stain on the carpet and the missus standing right there.   :scared:  
Unless thats your hand with the nail polish.
Bow is looking real good, we need a full draw shot once it is finalised. The spotted gum looks good. Have you seen many self bows done with Aussie hardwoods.

It's still there (as far as I know) and has been for 3 days. Maybe i should move it now and not push my luck any farther.

Full draw in the other thread I started.

Title: Re: First attempt
Post by: TomMcDonald on March 10, 2009, 07:21:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by razorback:
Your a brave man Tom. that cup of stain on the carpet and the missus standing right there.   :scared:  
Unless thats your hand with the nail polish.
Bow is looking real good, we need a full draw shot once it is finalised. The spotted gum looks good. Have you seen many self bows done with Aussie hardwoods.

Glenn Newell says he's made hundreds of slefbows using Australian wood.
Maybe he'll be kind enough to show us.