My first bow build is coming along nicely. Thanks to fellow board members, especially Greg.
I took it out of the oven last night and waited til it cooled to break down the forms. That wait seemed very long.
Here it is headed into the oven.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/c44bf248.jpg)
Here it is this morning with the epoxy cleaned off.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/1ecc6343.jpg)
here is my riser after sanding closer to width. I left the whole bow about 1/8" big initially to hopefully be able to recover from any mistakes.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/920ea9ea.jpg)
Thanks again Greg for helping me fix this. The fit looks pretty good.
Here is the profile after rough shaping the limbs.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/b954c264.jpg)
I'm debating cutting string grooves at 66" first to check draw weight, I don't want this bow to be too heavy to shoot. I'm looking to hit 55#'s.
Thanks for looking.
Lookin good. Good idea on cuttin long first. I do that on new forms.
The riser fit very nice, and those fadeouts look great.
I wouldn't worry about it being too heavy, with that limb design you can go very narrow and still be stable. On the other hand, I left my first bows long, but I always ended up cutting them down to the intended length later.
Kenny, I glued tip overlays on the 60" longbow today, so far it looks good.
i love it
looks great
thanks for sharing
><>
Glenn
Great looking bow!...I forgot how much I like that bingham profile. Great work on those fades too!
What do I do about a tillering string? Do I need a longer string, or can I just string it up with the correct string for the length?
Use the normal string, you don't need a longer string with a glass bow. I leave my bows strung for about 30 minutes before pulling them to full draw, don't know if this is necessary but it gives me peace of mind.
Looks real good, that bow does have a nice profile should shoot good.
Very nice job. I love those mild d/r-profiles, that gives such sweet looking bows.
----------
Andy
Got a little time in tonight after the kids went to bed.
Decided to go with Greg's advice and cut nocks in at 64", since I already had a string.
Sanded down the profile to real close to finish dimensions. I'm really liking the shape.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/60108b51.jpg)
Got it strung up!!
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/0f1acd58.jpg)
Closer view of my nock, I think I will work on these a little more after overlays go on.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/226edcfe.jpg)
Limbs are pretty dang straight, I hope I don't mess it up when I finish sand it.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/d2e49931.jpg)
the draw weight feels a little heavy right now, I have no scale so just guessing it is over 60lbs. Hopefully it will finish up closer to my target of 55lbs.
Brace height is 8" to the back of the bow. Both limbs measure right at 7-1/4" from string to fadeouts.
Which one should I pick to weaken a little? Maybe finer
sanding of the profile will make it more obvious?
Thanks for all the comments and assistance, this board is fantastic.
That's looking good. With both limbs the same you can chose either one for the top. These long bows are easier to keep the limbs straight on so don't worry about messing that up. I'd get it on a scale to see where you are- this will tell you how aggressive you need to round over the limbs or if you need to narrow and/or trap the limbs to hit your target weight.
I can't get over how I like everything about that bow. Profile and materials are spot on. Good luck and we're looking forward to your shooter.
You can loose 5# rounding the edges and finish sanding, don't worry about it being too heavy. That is a nice profile for shooting heavy arrows. Don't forget to round off the edges before you draw it.
I got my tip overlays done: White Phenolic, Bo Tuff, & Zebra
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/0f39e101.jpg)
I also took it in to a local shop with a draw weight scale. I am shooting for 55 lbs at my 30" draw length. My bow pulled 58 lbs at 30". Looks like I'll be pretty close to what I wanted as I finish this up.
Hey, thats looking very good. Are you sure this is your first bow? What are you going to use for a finish? And a name, you will need a name for it.
Nice dawg! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for all the comments, it helps to have the Pro's tell you some of their tricks and fix your screw ups for you. I'm going to start cuting in the sight window and grip tonight.
I was thinking I would use Tru-oil to finish this bow. It seemed to me to be the easiest for me to do with the equipment I have at home and I've used it before.
Does anyone have a better suggestion for an easy, do it with limited equipment, finish that looks nice and is durable?
Tru-oil works fine. You can also brush-on epoxy, then wet sand and polish. For a spray can finish, Minwax spar urethane works well, and if you read the thread about krylon krystal, it looks good.
Greg, thanks for the advice on the riser shaping, as usual it was spot on. Overall I'm pleased with how it turned out, If I could have a do over on this one I would leave the handle just a hair fuller.
I got my sight window and handle cut in and the bow sanded down smooth. I have the tiller at 1/4", shelf is cut about 1-7/8" above center and is 1/8" from center in depth.
Here is the back side:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/6b42eb0e.jpg)
Here is the arrow pass side:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/6d90cd33.jpg)
Here is the belly side:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/cf8e92a4.jpg)
Here is the other side:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/1b3d4df6.jpg)
Here is the bow ready for finish with the first arrow I shot through it after finishing up my handle:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/e8648dd8.jpg)
I shot a couple dozen more after this with similar results. The bow is shooting good. So far it seems to put them right where I look. I'm stoked to get the finish on it and build up some arrows for it.
very nice.
Good job Bro!! Nice lookin bow there! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That looks very nice. Looks like it shoots good too. You can make the riser a little fuller with a leather wrap, it will add almost an 1/8".
Great looking bow!
Here is a shot of my 1st bow, "Dragonfly" wearing it's new coat of finish. Tru-oil to fill the grain in the zebra wood riser topped off with Krylon Crystal Gloss buffed down with OOOO steel wool to a nice satin finish. I'll get some better photos tomorrow with my good camera. The glass is actually brown, but these pictures make it look black.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/667244bf.jpg)
Kudos to Greg for the help and good advice along the way, the Tru-oil really did add alot to the look of this bow.
Thanks again to all for all the help and comments along the way. Now to build up some arrows.
I right now have a 16 strand endless loop B50 string for this bow. Any recommendations for a better string choice. The bow is somewhere around 55lbs at my 30 draw length.
You have one to be proud of there. Good job!
Dennis
It looks very nice, good job. I use fast-flight on all my bows. I have a couple extra strings if you want to try one.
Very nice bow, Lane. Enjoy shooting it.
Stan
Very nice...congrats
Nice looking bow. I've been looking into the Bingham"s kits. It's nice to see some of the steps along the way, and then the finished product. Thank you for sharing.
Butch L
Thanks again for all the comments and help along the way. The collective knowledge of the guys here on this board is overwhelming huge.
My first one is done and shooting good. A buddy at work made me up a few arrows so I could start shooting it more seriously until I get my own built.
Enjoy!
Here are my buddies arrows, they are awesome:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/DSC_0545.jpg)
Here is a better pic where the brown glass is obvious:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/DSC_0547.jpg)
Here is the finished bow strung up: (I may add a leather grip but I'm done with it for now)
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/DSC_0546.jpg)
Here is another just for fun:
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/DSC_0553.jpg)
Looks really good. I am getting all of my stuff together for my 1st build. Hopefully the stuff from Binghams will be easy to follow.
Hope to build one myself one of these days. You make it look easy, great looking bow.
Awesome bow K30!!! I think I see a winter project in the making :)
Excellent work and finished product. I love the handle just the way it is, but that is me, smaller than normal handles fit my hand very well. But, as said above, a leather wrap fills them out nicely.
I must say, that is the best looking "first" bow I've ever seen. Absolutely fabulous job on that one!!!
Fantastic job ! That's an absolutely awesome looking bow you got there. Hard to believe that this is your first bow ever. Congrats to that fine piece of work.
----------
Andy
Great Job
Thanks guys, I'm very happy with it. It would not have turned out nearly as nice if Greg hadn't helped me when I got into trouble.
It finished out: 56lbs at 30" and shoots a 550 gr arrow at 172 fps from that 30" draw. I missed a grouse with it today and broke an arrow. But it was fun anyways.
A missed grouse and a broken arrow is how most of my bows start their career.
The next time you place an order with Binghams, get some bodkin broadheads. I chop about 1/2" off the tip and they make the best grouse points, they cut through grouse but don't stick in trees to bad.
(http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz110/greginmalad/chad/100_0776.jpg)
THAT is a beautiful bow K30. I love the profile and materials you chose. Congrats and have fun with her.
That is a great idea, I had the same problem before.
That is one sweet looking bow there, congrats.
Good job.
That's a great looking bow. Any chance of seeing her drawn?
Great Job. Beautiful bow
Here you go Fish, sorry about the poor cell phone pic.
(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b469/LFNJR/e52302e4.jpg)
great job congrats
Wow! That is one very fine bow and you really do have a 30" draw! With that long draw you will get plenty of performance from your bow. If you want slightly more speed or just a different "feel" you might try other string materials. I like TS-1+ in 12 or 14 strand Flemish twist style.
That's a great lookin bow! Just wondering, does the 64" bingham's design pull real smooth out to 30", or do you think a 66" would be better? The bows I build are more heavily r/d, but I really like the strung profile of yours, and I have a 30" draw as well.
A buddy at work draws 32" and this bow is starting to stack on him at that length, but at my 30" draw it feels nice and smooth.
Awesome job!!!!
Tiller looks super at full draw! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awsome, Simply awsome. The quality of yur tips , overlays and window and shelf is professional.Its really hard to believe that is your first bow. You are a natural bowyer. god bless you and God has blessed you, Steve
Thanks for the comments. I guess that I am proof that even a blind squirrel can find an acorn once in a while.
Had to come back for a second look, you sure this is your first bow?????
Very impressive. Just as nice as anything hanging on the rack at basspro!
Looks awesome. If it shoots half as good as it looks you've got yourself a shooter
Lane. You did a very nice build on your first one. Congratulations. At this time I'am building my 3rd, and 4th 68" laminated recurve bows. Good luck in the future. John
Might resize pics, 640 x 400 is max I believe.
Congrats on a fine bow.