Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: TradBowyer on August 02, 2009, 01:42:00 PM
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DWT was the St Judes auction winner of a custom Dry Ridge Archery bow. He was interested in some pics and i've never done a build a long before so I thought...why not?? Unfortunately, we lost our camera for a period of time so the glueups of the limb were done with no photographic evidence. but we'll try to make it up from here on out...the bow requested is a T/D longbow..bloodwood and osage footed riser. The limbs are going to be osage on the belly and snake skins on the front. Because we are using snakes, i used black glass on the back to help them stand out better. Here are the components...the 2 glued limbs, the bloodwood and osage riser blocks
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/390.jpg)
we will start with the riser. I'm doing the riser in 2 steps. The first step will glue the 2 blocks together and the next step will be the cutting and glueing of the "swoosh". I use Urac185 for the riser glueup..the ratio of the 2 components are 13:100...doing the math, I use 1.2 grams of powder to 8.9 grams of liquid. Since I'm gluing a total of 4 surfaces (bloodwood, osage,and a thin accent), I'll double this mixture.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/391.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/392.jpg)
When combined, you get a dark slurry mixture
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/393.jpg)
Here are the riser pieces clamped and ready to go into the 100 degree box.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/394.jpg)
We will pick up on Monday. thanks for following along
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We like build a longs!!! :bigsmyl:
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yeah dano, we sure do! this looks the start of a great one :D
Nick
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The coolest thing about this build along is that it eventually is coming to my house. Looks good so far Tim.
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:wavey: Question - does the Urac185 dry clear ?
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Nope, light brown.
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I like it!! More,more!!
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I got the rest of the riser glued and cured...ready to go put this bow all together now. Its late...I"ll load the pics tomorrow. Stay tuned
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aahhh :) sounds good!
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What a great idea (the build along on the St. Jude's bow).
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ok here we go...round 2...after the initial riser glueup, i flatten on side for a square surface and draw the swoosh
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/DSC01021.jpg)
I cut this out on the bandsaw and sand with a spindle sander to flatten adn square.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/DSC01022.jpg)
Then I need to use this as a pattern to draw the other bloodwood swoosh. since I am using an accent stripe, I always draw the line with the accent stripe thickness accounted for. THis helps alleviate internal riser stresses on the glue joints. Here, I just taped the accent stripe to the inside swoosh and trace the profile
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/DSC01023.jpg)
the next step is the most tedious for me. I have to perfectly match the pieces so there is no gaps when clamped. This can take me a couple hours to do. Sand close to the line, clamp, check for gaps. Mark hte high points, unclamp. Sand the high points, repeat, repeat, repeat...you get the picture
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/DSC01026.jpg)
once that is done, mix the glue as before, clamp and let cure
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/DSC01029.jpg)
once its cured, i flatten the one side again, draw the riser pattern, cut and square the angles.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/DSC01032.jpg)
tomorrow we will start the process of getting the limbs mounted and drilling holes
Thanks for following
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ok lets start getting this thing to look like a bow...
laying out the limb pattern
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1230.jpg)
the limbs are then cut to the line on the bandsaw and then fine tuned on the edge sander. Since the jig I use is for a riser block that is already square and flat on the one side (unlike the Bingham one that makes you draw a center line), I can "pre mount" my limbs flush with the side of hte riser to check for limb alignment. If the limbs tips are out of line at this point, i know i have issues and its easier to correct now than later.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1231.jpg)
everything looks good.
Once the profiles are cut, its time to drill the holes for the pin and the insert. The next few pics show my jig. I have a insert I use for the 5/16" hole which I use to drill the hole in the limbs. Remove this insert to drill the hole in the riser for the threaded insert...anyway..not to get ahead of myself...
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1232.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1233.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1234.jpg)
now that the holes are drilled, time to tap the riser hole for the insert.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1235.jpg)
I install the insert using a couple dabs of loctite. I also like to counterset the insert so I know there is no interference between the limb and the insert.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1236.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1237.jpg)
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at this point, we are ready to mount the limbs, check for twist, tiller and initial weight.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1238.jpg)
everything is good. Weight is 64@28 which is right where I want to be to hit a final goal of 57@28. Tiller is just at 1/4" and the limbs are tracking straight. This is the most nerving step for me. Nothing like getting a string on for the first time...just never know what you are going to find. At this point with the limbs tracking straight and good for weight, its all down hill from here. Next step is to get the riser roughed out and the tip overlays on. Should be able to throw some arrows out of it Wednesday.
Here is a pic of the osage on the belly. Don't know how the pic will turn out but there is some nice flat grain in this stuff.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1239.jpg)
thanks for following along
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That was a beautiful profile!! I like, i like.. Selfmade limbform?
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Looking very cool Tim. I love the lines, very graceful. That is some nice looking osage.This build along is very cool even though its alot of extra work for you I hope it will get you some orders.
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not much to see tonight just a lot of grinding, filing and sanding but did get the riser roughed out. It was requested to leave a little on the riser so its a little larger than I normally make my longbow risers but I like it. I like to feel I'm holding something other than a soda straw :)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1241.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/100_1242.jpg)
tomorrow we will shoot to get the tip overlays on and maybe throw some arrows out of it.
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Very good job goin there Tim! I like your drillin jig better than Binghams! Waaay better alignment I'll bet! :thumbsup:
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Kenny,
Yeah, its a good jig. The problem I have with Binghams is that all in all, you are drawing 4 center lines. If you are just 1/32" off on each line, thats a total of 1/8" off and thats enough to throw the limb tips out and you end up with limbs out of alignment. With this jig, you take that all out of the equation.
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Yeah ,don't ask how I know all that!LOL
1/8" at the riser can be a BUNCH 20 some inches out!!
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ok, much has happened since the last post...pics are dragging a little. Time to put on the skins..here's how I do it. Others are much better at this than I but i get decent results doing it this way. Feel free to pipe in with suggestions if you have a better way... Here are the skins
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/skins1.jpg)
I soak my skins in warm water to soften. oh yeah, make sure you have an understaning wife if you do this in the sink like I do
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/skinssoak.jpg)
while the skins are soaking, i get the limbs ready. I use Titebond II and i have had instances in the past where the glue refused to stick to the glass so I have to lay a layer of glue down, let dry and then glue the skins on. I'm not crazy about the 2 layers of glue adding weight to the limbs but I don't know how else to do it.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/glue1.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/glue2.jpg)
it usually takes about 45 min for this coat to dry. Once dry I "pre cut" the skins in length. i put the end of the skin against the tip overlays and trim the bottom. I leave a little extra. once cut, i add another layer of fresh glue and apply the skin. I use a clamp at the end to anchor the skin so I don't have to worry about it moving on me as i'm working the air bubbles out.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/skinslayup.jpg)
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I keep smoothing the skin making sure the pattern stays centered until it starts to stick a little. It can take anywhere from 5-10 min depending on how wet the skin was when applied. Once I'm confident all the airbubbles are out, i do the other skin the same way. I've read where some say to trim the skins close at this point. I have never had good results doing this. Inevitably, they always dry and curl up on me. I leave mine full width and as they dry, i wrap them under the limb. They will dry this way and I have never had the lifting/curling issue doing it this way. Once dry, i sand the edges of the limb and it all comes off anyway..but i'm getting ahead of myself...at this point i put the skins up to dry working my finger down the skin about every 1/2 hour or so until i'm sure the glue is really setting up. I leave the skins for 2 days sometimes 3 if the glue isn't fully dry.
lets work on the riser. 60 grit, 100 grit, 150 grit, 220 grit and we are ready to seal. I use CA superglue. Never had an issue with it. It's cheap, fast and works on all woods even oily exotics.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/sealing1.jpg)
using latex gloves, dribble some glue and start spreading. On nonpourous woods like these, a little really goes a long way.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/sealing2.jpg)
it sets rather quick so I couldn't take a lot of pics but here is the end result of the first coat
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/sealing3.jpg)
Once dry, i sand with 150, 220 and then reapply till the pores are filled.
More to follow
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Beautiful work!
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:clapper: :clapper:
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This bow still isnt finished?????
Glad I didnt buy it.
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Traditionalhunter,
No offense but I've been in constant contact with the winner of this bow on the status throughout the last few months. It takes time to build these things especially if you don't have stock of the materials requested. There was an option to take a bow that I had in stock but that wasn't the wishes of the winner. He wanted one built to his specs. Anyway, here are the finished pics. The other limb needs two more coats of finish but it will ship this week.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/stjudesfinished.jpg)
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Nice job Tim. I could never build bows to sell I couldn't put up impatient customers.
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Great job, Tim.Very informative build-along.thanks
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That is a very nice bow. SWEEEEEETTTTTT!!!!!!!!
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Love the combination! Excellent work Tradbowyer! :clapper:
And Dano, I'm with you....
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I really like how the bow turned out Tim, and yes you have been in constant contact with me throughout this build and I would say that the time frame is between you and me and knowone else I requested a custom bow, and these take time, still waiting on one in wisconsin that wont be done till december. Im excited to see this in person and shoot some arrows out of it. Tim, if you could put somewhere on the bow St judes 2009 that would be cool, I may want to do something special with this bow, maybee a tour or something with the members of tradgang, no promises guys but I am considering it.
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Tim, you've done a great job with the build-along. Don't worry what some might say, you've given way above and beyond for the kids.
Wonder what he did for St. Judes?
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Agreed...that bow is standout beautiful. I would never be able to handle the commercial bow building world with the "i want it now" mentality.
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tradbowyer, I think every minute you spent on this bow was worth it. She's a beauty, and sometimes it takes a little more time to finish these special bows. If people don't wan't to wait for such a bow, they don't deserve it.
you did a great job.
Nick
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HMMM all it takes is one comment and miraculously the bow is done, amazing!!!!
And yes I know how long a bow takes to build.
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When I had to work for a living, our favorite saying on any project was "WOE", "waiting on electricians". Robert I guess your just getting even.
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What does that have to do with building a bow?
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Exactly, and what do your comments have to do with A charity bow.
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Why does every one think it should take longer to build a charity bow, its still a bow like any other bow being built, and your still dealing with a customer like any other bow.
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Doing a search in the St. Judes auction forum doesn't bring your name up any where, does that mean that you had nothing to do with the auction for kids and there for have nothing to say about how long it takes to biuld a charity bow?
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Robert it seems you are the only individual who has made any negative comments in this thread. You just seem to want to pick an argument. The individual this bow is being built for has no problem with the time frame. What the heck is your beef in this?
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In fact, Sir, your only contribution to this entire site has been to sell 3 bows, inquire about some arrows and pick an argument with someone who has donated their hard earned time and materials to a cause that is all about helping children.
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'I know how long it takes to make a bow'
so do I. I've made bows within 2 hours, but I've also spent like 25hours on a single bow, the bow took almost 3weeks to fully finish (tempersessions, steambending, heatbending etc.)
and that was by far not such a beauty...
Ofcourse, a charity bow can't be a priority for an proffessional bowyer!! What a dumb assumption would that be.
but here he donates a 800$ worth bow to those kids. I don't think you're in the right place to complain how long he took for it. Not at all.
but.. what was your reason for posting this? please, tell me. I believe it surely isn't your concern, even if it wasn't charity, as it wasn't gonna be your bow.
Nick
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Hey guys, lets forget the negativity and get back to this wonderful bow. More pictures and final specs would be great. I know I've picked up a tip just from the photo's.
:campfire: RESPECT. :campfire:
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I'd like to see the steps he mentioned about sanding the snakeskin edge. Did you trim it close and then sand the remainder? or just sand off the skin while holding it down? Beautiful bow.
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Here are the finished pics of hte bow. Specs are 64" 58@28
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/stjudesstrung.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/stjudesback.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/timduvall/stjudesbelly.jpg)
Talondale,
I don't trim the skins when I apply them, I leave them full width. After they are dry, I use a sanding block with 150 grit paper and only going one direction (not sanding back and forth), I run it along the edge of the limb and it only takes a couple strokes to get through the skin. The edges are a little frazzled but when I seal the skins with superglue, it lays everything back down and gives the skins the finished look.
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A Beautiful bow, Sir!
Very well done!
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Nicely done! Great build-a-long
:campfire:
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Beautiful Job. Great Work
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Tim, I love the profile of that thing, and the bloodwood and osage go great with the snakes eh. I think you have done everyone a real favor by doing the build along and I for one would like to thank you for 1. Donating the bow to St Judes
2. alowing me some input on the bow. 3. Doing the build along so we could all see the process.
4. Remaining a class act through the whole process, you are to be applauded.
Thank you, Don Taylor
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Nice looking bow. I look forward to shooting it.
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It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.-- Mark Twain
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Great looking bow Tim, so what did this gem bring in for the kids?
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It is better state your opinion and stand by it like a man, than to cower and kiss a$$ like so many do.-- Rob Jabrocki
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Unless your opinion makes you look like a horses arse.....
in that case its better to admit you are wrong and apologize. Takes a big man to admit he's wrong (my grampa said that)
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Geez....Robert Jabrocki aka traditionalhunter is banned.
I would clean the thread up....but I decided to leave it so everyone can see the kind of jerks we have to deal with to keep the site on track.
Robert, you are a punk. Yeah, broke my own rules...sorry.
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Thanks Terry, I was kinda worried that the topic got removed and we lost a decent buildalong. Trad Gang survives yet another yayhoo.
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No worries Dano....sorry I posted that, but the doner of the bow not only donated....but he's taken the time to do a build along here as well....and its a St Judes donation at that. Comments like that over someones efforts just piss me off.
I've waited over 4 months for a bow plenty of times....who cares, the kids got the money and that was BOTH the donor and the winners intentions....helping kids. There is no place for such behavior.
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Well done Terry!!
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Very well done!
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Nice bow and build along. Thanks for taking the time to show the process and for ignoring the negative stuff from the now removed offender. Class act all around.
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Applause for the buildalong no doubt. Glad to see that guy has been removed as well....
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Excellent looking bow and great build! I really like the way you shaped the tips.
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A great looking bow thanks for taking the time to post the Build-a-long :wavey: got several tips from that, thank you
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Very nice bow and build-a-long.
Also, very nice moderating.