Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: kennym on March 13, 2010, 07:39:00 PM
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Seein as how we have so many days not fit to be outside ,had to find something to do inside......
This one will be another actionwood bow,not sure where we're going with it for final look,but here we go!!
I'll make it up as I go along!! :D
Here is the 2 blocks of a-wood and a pc of red phenolic I'm gonna use(be sure to rough up the slick phenolic and sand blocks with at least 60 grit)...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/Actionwood%20bow%20build/002-4.jpg)
Here I marked the saddle after lookin and tryin different stuff. Notice the completed bow in back used to see where the radius would come out on the riser...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/Actionwood%20bow%20build/003-4.jpg)
Check the bandsaw to make sure blade is good and square to table...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/Actionwood%20bow%20build/004-5.jpg)
Here is my first mistake,thinkin a 5 gal bucket is round. Musta had the thing turned different on each block! Duhh!!
I have a radius jig for the bandsaw,shoulda found it and used it!
Notice my marking method,lay a couple thin pcs(phenolic this time) under one pc to make the edge higher,easy to mark around to sand to shape.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/Actionwood%20bow%20build/005-2.jpg)
Here she is fitted with red phenolic between,slight gap at one end,but it cuts off anyway.
For me, it is easier to sand the outside curve first on the disc sander,just easier to get the curve done with no bumps or flat spots,then make the inside curve fit it..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/Actionwood%20bow%20build/006-2.jpg)
More later.... :bigsmyl:
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Nice work Kenny. Thats going to be a nice riser.
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Good Looking stuff for rainy days,
down south we finally have been having warmer weather 70-80 and sunny, I been sticking the target instead of building.
Are you making your own actionwood and dyeing your own colors?
Mike
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Looking good!
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Thanks guys!
Mike,I shot a turkey head target at 6 yds in the shop til my fingers hurt !! LOL
So I had to find another project!
That is the actionwood I sell on my site,as is the completed bow in the pic above.
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Will be looking to see where this goes.
Tim
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Kenny what blade do you use on your bandsaw,
and do you sand the inside curve before the
glueup.
thanks Jim
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I love rainy days at Kenny's house!
Can't wait to see this one -- I love build alongs.
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:thumbsup:
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Rawhide,I like Lennox about the best,that is a Diemaster 6tpi(I think),I also use the trimaster carbide
Here is todays work,ready to glue up both riser blocks...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-5.jpg)
This shows how I keep the slippery pcs lined up sideways..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/002-4.jpg)
Here it is with plastic wrap to keep glue under control..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/005-2.jpg)
Add blocks and clamps,all pcs need to be the same width for best results..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/006-2.jpg)
This is block#2,had to use screw clamps on sides.
Ready to go to the oven,,put the 2 end clamps on lightly first,you can adjust center alignment by which clamp you tighten. Then add the center clamp and make sure all are snugged up pretty good...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/003-4.jpg)
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Out of the oven,ready to cut into a couple risers..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/010-1.jpg)
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Oh yeah,I kept the factory side of all blocks turned the same way,hope the grain(glue lines) line up in the risers when shaped!!!
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Lookin perty, Very nice kenny
Thanks for the pics. Time for a raindance :)
Josh
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Whew!!!! Man sakes alive Kenny those are going to be awesome. Can't wait to see the rest.
Shawn
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Kenny did it stop raining? Get along with it man! We want some more photos (lol)!
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Had to go to my "real job"!
More Fri(sposed to rain and snow!!)
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OK had time to do a bt more,here we mark the first riser out,the clamp holds the template to the riser block,the template tips are a bit flexible so you gotta hold em at all times(need a plexi template I guess)..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/006-3.jpg)
Ready to cut the back(big arc),it is easier for me to cut and sand it on a disc sander to fit form before doing the fade grinding on the belly side. One day I'll have a robosander and won't have to fit!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/007-1.jpg)
Here it is ready to grind fades....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/008-2.jpg)
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Kinda jumpin around here,didn't want to grind fades til about time to use the riser,you know how easy they get damaged! So we are off to making lams. My jig for making angle cut actionwood lams....
Should have said jig for making 1st cut on lams,I still bandsaw the actual lam blank!!!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/004-6.jpg)
And the resulting lams...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/005-3.jpg)
Now the tapers,amber aboo cores.
If you use a thin taper sled when cutting,you save materials. Also,on lams that show,the grain matches better than cutting parallels and then grinding off the taper excess.....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-7.jpg)
Should glue up tomorrow!
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keep it coming Kenny. I love those Lams.
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Kenny, I use some riser templates out of clear plexiglass. I use them all the time to layout riser designs. It really makes it easy for me to see what looks good by laying it on top for a looksie. Those came out great without my method though.
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I like that gray for the lams.
Keep the pictures coming.
Tim
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Sweet lams Kenny. I recieved the grey anglecut order in the mail today and I am impressed!
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Kenny, those risers and the anglecut lams look great. I wonder how some green mountain camo or desert camo angelcut lams look like. I don't want to wish less work for you, but on the other hand I'd love to see some new pictures of these two bows.
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Andy
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Lookin good so far!
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OK, we've cut the belly ramps and are ready to sand them. I use a known square backer block and a spindle sander. Also I mark 1" and 2" on both sides on each fade. Then I can use my dial calipers to check thickness. Usually go paper thin at end,.064"(1/16") at one inch from end, and .140"(fuzz over 1/8")at 2" from end of fade.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-8.jpg)
This isn't ground yet,will do that right before glueup. Maybe I won't knock a corner off!
Next,wax the heck outta the form,I used silicone spray last time with poor results! The glue escapees stuck pretty tight!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/002-7.jpg)
I only wax the bottom half every time,the glue doesn't get on the top of my form(much).
Thats all til Fri,went to a 3D today!!
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Kenny
Those lams turned out awesome!! Looking forward to the rest!
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Very nice. Homemade actionwood, Kenny?
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Friday, Wow, this is like the old days going to a movie and having to go back next week to see more. This is Great keep and just like the movies I’ll be back for more.
TBKII
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Kenny whoever gets that one is a really really lucky person. Man those are totally awesome.
Shawn
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Thanks!
Nope on homemade , the actionwood is what I sell on my website,charcoal gray and nutmeg brown.
SSHHHhh,the bow will be my bro's. He just doesn't know it yet. ;)
I designed it shorter for shorter draw length to wring a bit more performance out for him. In fact the test bow template says John's bow right on it!! :cool:
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Hes going to like that one Kenny. Its looking sharp.
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Hey Brad,the only bad thing is you are gonna see your gray anglecut lams before I get to see these!! LOL
Got any pics yet?
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I just glued that baby up...I started a post but I dont have any pics of the lams under the glass...but I have to tell you they look sweet.
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Alrighty then!!
Did I tell you I build bows out of scraps? Here is some glass that was cracked when it came in. Can't sell it,but can cut out the bad and use it!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/004-8.jpg)
My handydandy cutoff tool...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/005-5.jpg)
My jig and results of skiving lams for the back . .
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-10.jpg)
Here I lay a 1/4x 1.5 aluminum stock on the edge of bench. Then lay a small pc of plastic at skive joint.
Now lay one lam to be glued on top of plastic and clamp about in the middle along with the straitedge. Apply superglue to both pcs,flip the plastic over,lay that little block on top,check for full length straitness,and clamp the whole thing to the bench.
When you glue both pcs,you have a bit of time to adjust,then let it set for 20 min or so..
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/002-9.jpg)
A good way to sand the skive joint,a radiused block with 50 grit taped on it,and the finished lam...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/006-5.jpg)
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Here is the .002 taper that goes on the back also,my thumb is at one end of the joint,you can faintly see the other end on the flat side of the lam. I also mark center on the edge of the back glass and both back lams for alignment during glueup.(no pic but you get the idea!)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/007-3.jpg)
Now the stop block that goes on the riser to keep the belly lams from sliding up the ramps,here we cut to length...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/008-3.jpg)
Got it beveled,then grind to thickness of both belly lams and glass,2 dabs of CA(superglue)and set a few min.,good to go....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/009-3.jpg)
The parts all laid in order,notice the 3 full length lams laid out,glass rough side up and taped on smooth side.
Next lam,side that shows goes up,then .002 taper beside that.
I will glue this side of all 3 surfaces,then flip the veneer that shows over on the glassand glue the other side.
Then flip the taper onto the stack and glue the 2nd side of it.
Now lay this mess on the form.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/011-1.jpg)
Here is the plastic dixie cuos with glue ready to mix. Mix it good,then mix a bit more. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides and the mix stick.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/010-3.jpg)
My glue was a bit warm,I had it in the hotbox for a little while with the lid open 3", was a bit warm,was gettin sticky by the time I was done gluing solo!!
Note the wedges, my powerlam/tip wedge with .001 taper lams were .140 at butt. I usually parallel them down to about .075at butt because the only part doing any work is from the last 2" of riser out.
Also note I remembered to scrape the excess glue down on the plastic wrap,where you can just tear it off without having to grind it all off!!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/012-1.jpg)
Here is my setup to keep the riser section from getting too hot. I unscrew the 2 center bulbs and lay a scrap of plywood on top of form in center to block direct heat...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/013.jpg)
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Looking good kenny and an excellent build along.
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Very nice build along Kenny!Im enjoying it very much!
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Very cool stuff here ! That riser piece looks fantastic, even though it's not finished yet. Can't wait to see it with the finish on it. I'll be back next friday for more.
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Andy
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Thanks guys, I feel like I'm repeating on these builds. Maybe I get something once in awhile that could help someone down the road.
Here is the beast out of the form.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-11.jpg)
All cleaned up,I grind the boogers off both sides and try to get one pretty much clean. Then thru the widebelt,I am spoiled by this machine.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/002-10.jpg)
Here I lay out the length on the back, a 60"er ,so 30" each way from center...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/003-8.jpg)
Now I mark center of limbs at nocks and exact center both ways at riser,then laser it....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/004-9.jpg)
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I still check with the string also,in case the laser is crooked!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/007-4.jpg)
Now I mark center down the entire bow,then square a line across the limbs 2" outside the fades. I check off centerline to find the smallest measurement here,and mark the other 3 the same. Now we know the width of the final product.
Now I go to the nock mark and measure 5/16" off center each way to make a 5/8" wide limb at nock.
Then connect these marks to get limb taper.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/005-6.jpg)
Here the limb is laid out,ready to grind!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/006-6.jpg)
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Got the limbs ground out,now to the nocks,I mark with a combo square at 45*.
Make sure you angle em the right way!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/008-4.jpg)
The mark I made at 30" each way from center,I squared across the limb,this is your nock marks. I then 45 across limb from that mark. Then connect the 2 45* marks across the belly to doublecheck nock marks. If they are crooked,you can easily see it there.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/009-4.jpg)
I should make a jig like Marty uses,but just never seem to get it done!!
I file the nocks with the file inside the 45* line,leaving just the line. Make sure to file on the proper side of the line!!
May get some more done tomorrow,got some other projects goin too!
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Kenny keep the pictures and build alongs comming.
They are GREAT.
Like to follow and learn.
I will someday have the confidents to try one.
Tim
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Deathmaster: Kenny has gone to great effort to produce these photo instructions to accompany his excellent bow components and form template for folks just like you!! !! Go for it! ;)
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Looking good Kenny! Can't wait to see the lams under the tape and some riser shaping. Lots of tips with these build alongs- keep it up.
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Looking good. Great bunch of tips there. I really like the stop you put on the riser to keep the lams from sliding up.
Good one about the laser being crooked. :D
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Guys,I kinda dropped the ball. Was rushing to get another bow in the oven(research bow),when done,I picked this one up ,my bro was over(this is his bow,he just don't know it yet) so I quizzed him about what overlays would look good on it.
That done,I had the overlays glued on before I thought! No pix of that. I'll put some pics in on the other bow at overlay time. :cool:
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Thanks for the build along Kenny, it's coming at the right time for me!
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Looking Good thanks for sharing!
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Great work as always Kenny.Can't wait to see what's under that tape.
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I have the tape off,the bow came in with 5/8" nocks at 58#@28",will be 53# @ 28" when I'm done trimming and sanding!!
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:wavey:
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Kenny, do you offset the .002 taper at all? I have heard that it helps with tiller.
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looks great kenny
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Big un,
Nope,the bow can be used with either limb to top,I just pick the tiller before cutting site window.
I kinda rushed this one,turkey season is coming and I thought bro needed it to shoot for a bit before season starts!!
I'll take up on the build as I do the sister bow,which is coming along now...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-12.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/002-11.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/003-9.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/004-10.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/005-7.jpg)
Now back to your regularly scheduled program...... :D
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Oh yeah, 60" ntn,54# @28 or 51@bro's 27"
(Redesigned for his 27" draw to get a bit more horsepower!)
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Man that bow is beautiful. I bet it shoots just as she looks to.
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Looks really good man, nice work! I hope mine turns out that well.
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Wow- nice work Kenny!!
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looks great and just in time for a turkey hunt.
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I have already delivered it,so no full draw pic.
Here is a littermate @28" draw,my huntin bow for this year....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/001-3-1.jpg)
My shop was a mess,wait,it always seems to be!!
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Beautiful job Kenny! I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly for more goodies.
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Thanks!
Sounds good Marty,I'm caught up right now! LOL
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Great looking bow Kenny. I'm sure John was excited to receive it. Hope You two have a great Turkey season.
bretto
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Looks great Kenny! Love those cross cut actionwood. Your givin me the bug to build some more.
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Excellent Kenny! Tell him to bring it to MOJAM this year
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Holy cow kenny, that's a damn good looking bow. Great job !
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Andy
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Great looking bow Kenny! What finish do you use?
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Thanks!!
He is really likin it Bretto!!
Brad,I'm bettin he has it with him,he had a go-round with that coco risered bow this winter!!
Refinished it and it went kinda hard!!
For the few I build, I'm not gonna get too carried away with finish equip. , so up to this point I have been using minwax helmsman spar urethane.
I have thought about automotive clearcoat tho. I think they have it in rattlecan now.....
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OK, where were we???
I'm gonna start up with the twin sister where we left off with John's bow!
Here is how I determine how far the tip overlays fo from the nocks. Remember that first nock line 30" from centerline?
My little combo square blade is just right from that line to get my overlay to look right(to me)
The right side of the blade is the original nock line(I always file to inside of line,so I can keep track of where I am)The left side is the end of o-lay
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/010-4.jpg)
You can see the end of the o-lay by where the tape is. If you follow the angle of the groove you can kinda guess where the groove will cut over the limb...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/011-2.jpg)
This is what my roughed in grooves look like from the belly(but you need to go by Marty's)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/012-2.jpg)
Rough the glass and overlay material up good with 36 to 60 grit,what you have handy. Go right up to the tape...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/013-1.jpg)
Here we clamp the 1st tip pc. on,1/16" thick phenolic(I use thin so I don't have to grind it to fit the limb curve)Be sure toget a clamp in the middle to prevent any gap.
I'm using thick CA on these,but smoothon is probably a little better choice. I've never had a CA mounted overlay come off,but can be a pain to feather out where they hit the glass!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/014.jpg)
While the ends dry,I put a center o-lay on using spring clamps and a plastic wrapped cutout from the riser. Also 2 big spring clamps and a pressure strip. Using a pc of white and then a pc of black .050 glass(roughed on both sides for adhesion)....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/015.jpg)
Back to the ends,I put the 2nd pc of phenolic on,black this time...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/016.jpg)
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Tomorrow we do the grip and site window overlay on belly!!
Then we grind off all that ain't a bow!
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Wow great job Kenny. Looks great
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Kenny,
May I ask, on your riser it looks like the laminations go through the riser. So does that mean you actually glue on the rest of the riser for the rest of the handle like an overlay after the fact?
Thanks
Bob
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No work done on it today.
Bob,that is exactly right. They are just belly/handle overlays. Probably would shoot fine without,but just classes it up a bit IMO
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This is GREAT, Thanks for taking the time to take the pics and post.
TBKII
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haha when it comes to my shop if it isnt dirty theres nothing being done in there.i keep sawdust vacced up to prevent slipping and cut scraps out from underfoot but i like to keep my tools right within reach from start to finish so i dont have to play gopher.
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Your bows are beautiful!
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Great looking bows.
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Nice looking wood combo Kenny. Looks hunter classy!
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OK, more rain!! LOL
Where were we???
Oh yeah,we just glued the tip overlays on! Now we'll mark them again all the way around the limb so we can tell how we're doin on the groove filing...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/011-3.jpg)
Now carefully file the grooves back in,watching the lines...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/012-3.jpg)
Now grind the belly overlays to fit...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/014-1.jpg)
And glue em on,notice the dip I made in the one,so it is easier to clamp. Like Marty said,ya gotta be creative sometimes!
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/017.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/kennym/016-1.jpg)
Now a bunch of riser shaping to come,no pics of that,sorry! I did get a pic of the tablesaw massacre on the sight window,but camera is still in shop....
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Top notch build as usual Kenny!