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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: troutremble on April 06, 2009, 10:23:00 AM

Title: First osage bow
Post by: troutremble on April 06, 2009, 10:23:00 AM

Started my first osage bow, then got sidetracked by 3/4" wide x 58" long splinter I got off stave while roughing out bow. I have this splinter tillered to 40# @ 22" so far, going for 26". I had to straigten one limb w/ heat to make string line up and that turned out good. One limb started with about 1 1/2" deflex, can I recurve tip slightly on this limb to compensate or am I just asking for unnecessary problems? Thanks for any input.

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: DCM on April 06, 2009, 10:42:00 AM

I'd put nice even reflex in the offending limb, matching the other and maybe even putting a little more in the more straight one.  End up maybe 1" of net reflex on both.  Then easy does it to finish up your tiller.  Might pick up a few pounds.  58" of wood is genally enough for 26" draw, 3/4" of good osage plenty for 40# bow, might even sneakup on fiddy conditions being right.

Sliver bows are great, very common, particularly for folks who work up their own staves, for obvious reason.  I like 'em because it's usually my first adventure with a new tree.

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: troutremble on April 06, 2009, 02:50:00 PM

To get the even reflex throughout whole limb, im assuming I need to heat the whole limb then bend it just past where I want it to end up and let it cool in this position. Do I need a form? Will this induced reflex pull out later? I think i'll stick with 40# since I will give this to my sister-in-law who was nice enough to let me cut down the osage tree on her property.

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: DCM on April 06, 2009, 05:18:00 PM

Yes, heat the whole limb but you can do it little sections at at time.  Yes a form would help, but not absolutely necessary.  Heck if you got them to evenly straight, or to match each other it would benefit, imho.  Yes, the reflex or part of it may pull back out.  If you don't pick up weight, no worries.  If you do, you can always tiller it back down.  Good idea for s-i-l.  In my experience, go for a generous arrow shelf, unless she's an experienced archer.  Again, again from experience, 40# @ 26" may even be a touch on the heavy side.  Easy enough to adjust it down, if so.

Show us pitchers!

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: troutremble on April 07, 2009, 08:34:00 PM

Here is a photo of bow done except for final sanding, finish, and leather handle. I decided not to take out the small amount of deflex in one limb. Bow took about 1 1/2" set and shoots good so far.
(http://)

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: troutremble on April 07, 2009, 08:36:00 PM

Oops, looks like I need to figure out photo

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: troutremble on April 07, 2009, 08:40:00 PM

There we go. Hows the tiller look, any advice, comments welcome
 (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z232/skiarapahoe/_MG_5957.jpg)

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: Mounter on April 07, 2009, 10:58:00 PM

Looks good to me, Nice Job!!!

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2009, 11:52:00 PM

I think your tiller looks good. You could get a bit more bend near the handle but it is fine the way it is!

Title: Re: First osage bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on April 08, 2009, 08:59:00 AM

I agree with Pat. Nice job. Jawge