Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Pat B on January 11, 2014, 12:06:00 PM
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A few years ago James Parker gave me a lemonwood stave(board). I decided I would build a traditional American Longbow similar to the ones poplar during the 1930's and 1940's when lemonwood was a popular bow wood. Being that the lemonwood is in board form I thought a hickory backing(also traditional) was I order. I'm using an old piece of osage for the handle riser. Here are few pics od the process...
This is a dry lay-up to insure everything matched up...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB001_zps6898cc16.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB001_zps6898cc16.jpg.html)
I decided to glue the riser to the belly first. I'm using Urac for all the glue-up work...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB006_zps13faaf4f.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB006_zps13faaf4f.jpg.html)
Once that was done and the glue cured out in my hot box I cleaned up the belly/riser and sanded the glue surface of the belly on the belt sander. I did the same with the hickory backing strip. Next, (a tip from a friend) I drilled two 1/8" holes through the backing strip at the center of the handle and slightly into the belly and inserted 1/8" hardwood dowels for alignment pins.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB008_zpsfbdc939f.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB008_zpsfbdc939f.jpg.html)
I then buttered both glue surfaces with Urac and put them together using the alignment pics to help hold everything in place. I also added clamps to the tips.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB010_zpsdbec0a25.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB010_zpsdbec0a25.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB011_zps0ad111a7.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB011_zps0ad111a7.jpg.html)
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My clamping system is bicycle tire tubes wrapped tightly around the glue-up. I then placed it on the form with the tips up on blocks then drew the handle area down with a large "C" clamp to the base, adding about 3/4" of glued in reflex. I also added small clamps at the ends of the riser to prevent any problems while drawing it into reflex.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB012_zpsddda9521.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB012_zpsddda9521.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB013_zpsbb3cafcc.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB013_zpsbb3cafcc.jpg.html)
Then into the hot box for a few hours. I lay the aluminum foil over the glue-up to prevent any hot spots from the 100w light bulbs. She cooked for a little over 2 hours at about 110deg then I turned off the hot box and let the glue-up sit over night to cool.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB015_zpsd48ecde8.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB015_zpsd48ecde8.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB016_zps1f6269e4.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB016_zps1f6269e4.jpg.html)
This morning I cleaned the glue-up on the belt sander and soon I'll begin the tillering process.
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Pat
This looks great. Like the thought of making it into that style of bow. Does lemonwood have to follow the grain? Where these bows always backed?
I will be watching this one.
Bill
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Most tropical woods don't have noticeable yearly growth rings because the growing season is constant. Being that this was a sawn out stave I decided to back it. I don't think it is necessary to back lemonwood. Lots of unbacked lemonwood bows during their hay day.
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another cool one Pat...shouldn't take as long as the sinew backed osage... :)
thanks for sharing.
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Looking good, Pat. Can't wait to see it all finished :thumbsup:
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Here she is out of the oven.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB001_zps7eda0c54.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB001_zps7eda0c54.jpg.html)
unwrapped
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB004_zps9ba912a4.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB004_zps9ba912a4.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB003_zps196774f2.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB003_zps196774f2.jpg.html)
After she came out of the form she retained about 1/4" of the glued in reflex. I have now cleaned up the sides rounded the back edges and hand sanded the backing. More pics tomorrow.
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coooooooool. Don't see much lemonwood action on here so I'm all eyes open for this one.
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Watching with interest.
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Originally posted by bigbob2:
Watching with interest.
Me too!!!!
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I've got the sides cleaned of excess glue and reduced the stave to the bow profile lines on the belt sander. I then blended the riser into the belly.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB001_zpsf4e59c29.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB001_zpsf4e59c29.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB003_zpsd8cd3c2d.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB003_zpsd8cd3c2d.jpg.html)
I started reducing the limb thickness, a little at a time until I get some tip movement while floor tillering. I scribe a line down both sides of each limb and reduce the limb thickness to that line, starting along the edges of the belly on both sides of each limb then take the center down.
Here is how I scribe the line along the limb edge...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB006_zpsed1e3c90.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB006_zpsed1e3c90.jpg.html)
For those that have problems with handle risers popping off when the bow is flexed here is how I keep it from happening. I start with the full thickness of the board(generally about 3/4") and add the riser. As the limbs are reduced and the riser blended into the limbs the riser now sits above the plane of the limbs and the handle area won't bend and the riser remains intact. You can see it in this pic...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB005_zpsf16c0acf.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB005_zpsf16c0acf.jpg.html)
...and more so in this pic...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB007_zps414ad2dd.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB007_zps414ad2dd.jpg.html)
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Looks good, pat. And thanks for that explanation for handles popping off. Last summer I ditched a bow for that very reason. Now I know why it happened. :banghead:
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Got my popcorn :coffee: Looks great Pat.
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I'm in.....
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Looking good......neat stuff!
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Hopefully more this weekend.
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NICE! Once I made a hickory backed Ipe...I was SOLD on non-glass laminated bows...
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Great work Pat.
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Pat,
I was looking at your glue up picture when I realized that not only are you using a rare wood for this day and age. but that you are using urac, a discontinued glue replaced by unibond.
I also noticed that urac appears to be more fluid than unibond. It looks like it flows more like warm hide glue then unibonds thick kayro syrup. I was wondering what ratio you mixed and how does it compare to unibond 800?
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Scars, I haven't tried Unibond yet so I can't compare. When mixing Urac I use the volume method using 2 parts liquid to one part powder , the way I've always mixed it and a method referred to on the can.
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Urac sounds like it was an easier glue to use. By volume unibond is 4:1 fast set 6:1 slow set or any combo inbetween depending on temp. By weight it is 10:1 to 15:1 depending on temp also. By reading what was in your earlier post that by use of the hot box it speeds up the curing time same as unibond.
Thanks for the info Pat.
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Urac takes 1 1/4 hour to cure at 10deg, 2hrs at 90deg, 2 1/2hrs at 80deg, 6hrd at 70degs and 10hrs at 65deg. No gluing should be one below 65deg.
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I got a bit more done this weekend. This is her at low brace...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood001_zps0517c2cb.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/hickorybackedlemonwood001_zps0517c2cb.jpg.html)
When I was satisfied the string was tracking well I marked the tips where the string tracked...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood002_zpsfd28c080.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/hickorybackedlemonwood002_zpsfd28c080.jpg.html)
Then added tip overlays. I went with osage on the bottom and lemonwood over that. I glued them with TBIII and used rubberbands for my clamp...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood005_zpsaecfdeb9.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/hickorybackedlemonwood005_zpsaecfdeb9.jpg.html)
Once the glue dried I shaped the tips...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood003_zpsec53622b.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/hickorybackedlemonwood003_zpsec53622b.jpg.html)
(http://
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood004_zpsd73282c3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
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another pic of the tip...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood004_zpsd73282c3.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/hickorybackedlemonwood004_zpsd73282c3.jpg.html)
...and her low braced. I still have about 15# to 20# to reduce before she's done. Her final weight will be 50#-55#@26"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/hickorybackedlemonwood001_zps11b81a1d.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/hickorybackedlemonwood001_zps11b81a1d.jpg.html)
the rubberband around the handle holds the leather arrow rest while the glue dries.
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Looking good Pat.
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Pat you make it look so easy and simple. I like the tips.
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Pat she is looking really good.
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Looks great, Pat. It resembles the first successful bow I made. A hickory backed hickory with Osage riser and tip overlays.
Only your looks much better! :D
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:thumbsup: The tips look great....... :campfire:
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It is looking great Pat!
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I've had a chance to do a little more work on her lately. I shaped the added on leather arrow rest and added a leather overlay to fill out the back of the handle...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB001_zpsdfa0f263.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB001_zpsdfa0f263.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB002_zpsc9859ea7.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB002_zpsc9859ea7.jpg.html)
The tiller looked pretty good at 70#(estimate) so I reduced the weight by taking long strokes, from handle to tip, on both limbs so not to change the tiller. First 10 strokes then exercise then 20 strokes and exercise. She now sits at 55#@25", still just a bit heavy. I will leave her braced at 5"(full brace 6.5"mol) for a few hours to maybe sweat a few pounds off. After that I will check the weight at my 26" and adjust accordingly. Here she is at 5" brace...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB004_zps37f7ff9c.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB004_zps37f7ff9c.jpg.html)
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Well Pat she is coming along very nicely.
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Thanks Kelly. I'm working on a classy "prom dress" for her. d;^)
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Sweet!
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long after you are gone( not soon i hope and pray!)- you will be remembered for your very classic bows that you produce, and all the help that you offer the rest of us fools.
yer a legend Pat- many thanks.
classically simple, beautiful bow!!!
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That's a bow after my heart! Long and lean with simplistic beauty. Can't wait to see it all dolled up in her dress.
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Very nice, Pat. I love simple lines. It's like a naturally pretty girl that doesn't need make-up!
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She doesn't need make-up but she's gonna get it. d;^)
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I'd take her to the dance......if she lost some weight...... :biglaugh:
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Very nice work Pat! An absolute classic.
I'm really interested to see how that lemonwood looks with some finish on it. Is the riser Osage?
You really did a great job keeping it appropriate to the period (30's-40's). Will you use the same type of finish from that time also?
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Ben, I'll probably use Tru-Oil on her. One f the traditional finishes was called French polish, a mixture of boiled linseed oil and shellac. I don't have either in the right form for French polish though.
The riser is osage as is the bottom layer of tip overlay. I got the piece of osage(2"x2"x30")from a guy named Dan Tice about 25 years ago. Dan was Jay Massey's cousin. I was going to make my first osage bow with it but never did.
You are a bad boy, Ron. d;^)
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Looks nice Pat - looking forward to Prom Night.
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At mwosborn
I don't think Dads going to let her go to prom.
Dressed up or not she a looker.
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I took her out and shot a dozen arrows. She shoots well although a little shocky. I'll reduce the tips some to see if that helps. I still have to reduce her weight a bit more too.
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See I told you she had to go on a diet......lol! Really coming along nice!
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Looking Great Pat,
I'll with hold my comments about weight, you know how they get when they think you call them Fat :biglaugh:
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...do these overlays make m tips look fat? d;^)
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LOL, every man knows the answer to that question Pat. " no it doesn't"
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:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
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Boy yall are trying to make me pee myself laughing.
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I reduce the tips more and dropped the weight to 56#@26". I think I'll leave it there. I did tiller her out to 28" but she'll be marked 26" MAX
She shoots quite well but still has a bit of a thump. Not too bad though. Now, just waiting for the new prom dress to come in. d;^)
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nice job...I think the thump is just the nature of the beast with a straight limbed bow.
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LOL beauty and the beast
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Great buildalong. I buit one a few years back. Hickory backed Purpleheart and it was a success. Your braced pic reminded me of my bow.
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Scars, does that make me the beauty? Obviously you've ever seen me. d;^)
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It all has to do with memory. I bought a few of Troys' Black locust slats last year. And made a Meare heath hickory backed bow. It was the first bow I built that I thought was beautiful. Like you I narrowed the tips four or five times. There was a slight vibration I could never get rid of. When Bob said I think the thump is just the nature of the beast with a straight limbed bow. It made me think of that bow.
So I must answer your question with a question. If you are what you eat, then someone who eats lemons is sour. If you create something of beauty then you are ,what?
Then again I could be talking just about your bow. I see perfection , you see a flaw, it's all perception beauty and the beast.
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I like your thinking!
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I'm looking for a heavy chick with newly narrowed tips in a prom dress....
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Prom dress was back ordered. d;^) Still waiting. I did make 3 rear tapered poplar arrows with self nocks for her corsage.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ArrowsforlemonwoodClassicbow001_zps8adeaad5.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/ArrowsforlemonwoodClassicbow001_zps8adeaad5.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ArrowsforlemonwoodClassicbow002_zps77511ddc.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/ArrowsforlemonwoodClassicbow002_zps77511ddc.jpg.html)
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very nice pat- awesome.
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Great Job Pat! Reminds me of a lemonwood bow my father had...Love the corsage too!
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I have yet to try a tri-lam bow. I really like the looks of that one Pat. Love the american style of longbow.
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Well, her prom dress came in and he's ready for the prom...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB002_zps5da0ba4a.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB002_zps5da0ba4a.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB001_zps7ad8b637.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB001_zps7ad8b637.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB003_zps14b9de69.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB003_zps14b9de69.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB004_zps0709f600.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB004_zps0709f600.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB007_zpsc8dabd8e.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB007_zpsc8dabd8e.jpg.html)
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If you want to get a close up view, she'll be on the raffle table at the Tennessee Classic on
May 2,3,4. I'm donating this bow to The Twin Oaks Bowhunters to help support the Classic along with 3 poplar arrows I made for her.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB005_zpsaf87570a.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB005_zpsaf87570a.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB006_zpsefde277a.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB006_zpsefde277a.jpg.html)
The snake skin backing was a road killed coachwhip snake sent for her by Cipriano Rivera a friend and PA member. The handle wrap is brown hemp cordage from Wal Mart. She has 6 coats of Tru-Oil and will get a spray of satin poly so soften the shine. She pulls 54#@26".
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Your work is always so inspiring!
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Awesome!
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Looks terrific Pat. Classic indeed :thumbsup:
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Thanks guys. This was my fist lemonwood bow and I am very pleased with the bow and the wood.
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Pat that is a great looking bow.
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Thanks Kelly.
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Sweet boy, Pat, and a generous gesture!
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Red, if you ever came to the Tenn. Classic you'd see why I donate a bow or something each year to help support the shoot and Twin Oaks Bowhunters. It has got to be the best shoot in the Southeast if not the US.
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Great looking bow, Love them arrows too!
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Pat it is sweet looking how can I get me some raffle tickets or do you have to be present to win?
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I need to ask Pappy about that Jack. I've had a few folk ask.
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That's my kinda of bow Pat :thumbsup:
Thoes classic lines that make any longbow shooter feel warm and fuzzy!
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Terrific work and a great gesture.
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Pappy said to contact him if you want to get in on the raffle on this bow but won't be at the Classic.
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Pat I am not sure who Pappy is and how to contact him, but I would like to get some tickets for a great looking bow and I am sure the Classic is a worthy cause. I am heading back to NC in June for a wedding at the beach. Looking forward to returning to my old stomping grounds for a couple of weeks. Carolina BB-Q and the best seafood around.
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Jack, if you look at the "Trad Gatherings and Events" under Tennessee Classic Pappy(Mark Baggett)instigated that post. Just send him a PM
Carolina BBQ and seafood are the best!
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Bow came out really nice...... :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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Thanks Ron. She's a sweet shooter with just a little thump when shot.
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I like it Pat.
Not only is she wearing her prom dress, but the dance card is filling up. ;)
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You got that right, Scars.
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Great buildalong, Pat. Bow looks nice. Jawge
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Thanks George.
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I finally got a full draw pic today and here we are...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB001_zps4b7b926a.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB001_zps4b7b926a.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/lemonwoodALB002_zps078d0b70.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/lemonwoodALB002_zps078d0b70.jpg.html)
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Full draw looks great, Pat. Beautiful bow!
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A week or so ago Pearlie sent me 3 old Bear Acme POC arrows, field points and feathers to fletch the arrows. After fletching them I wanted to see how they shot. I grabbed the "Classic" hickory backed lemonwood ALB and went to the yard to give them a try...and they shot great...so I've decided to add these arrows with the bow on the raffle table at the Tenn Classic. What could be better, a classic style bow with classic Bear arrows...well, a classic side quiver so I made one. Now when you buy a raffle ticket for the "Classic" lemonwood ALB you also get the chance for the 3 classic Bear arrows and the classic side quiver; a classic set!
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/PearliesoldBeararrows003_zps68332455.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/PearliesoldBeararrows003_zps68332455.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/PearliesoldBeararrows002_zps7bc4bfdf.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/PearliesoldBeararrows002_zps7bc4bfdf.jpg.html)
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Sweet, pat!
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Nice work, Pat.
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Very nice, Pat
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Looks like a perfect tiller to me. Pat, is the center of the bow in the middle of the handle or is it offset?
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The bow is symmetrical Bue, the center of the handle is the center of the bow.