Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Wagstaff on September 22, 2014, 02:32:00 PM

Title: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Wagstaff on September 22, 2014, 02:32:00 PM: Its taken me a while to work through building my first bow. Now that I've done it, I'm already planning for more. My son really got the ball rolling, and has to get a lot of credit for convincing me that we really need to learn this skill.

We've both been reading along here on TradGang, and sincerely value the wealth of information shared. Learning from you folks has been a tremendous help and inspiration..

So, please let me say thank you to all. I especially should thank KennyM for those first few phone calls, to get me going.

One thing is for sure.. I realize that I have a long way to go, and so much more to learn.. ie... Putting on an attractive and durable finish on one of these things still seems to be elusive.! If anyone has some suggestions on that, I'm all ears..

I am sorta proud of how this first one turned out though..
It almost seems like luck that everything came out as planned.!

64" 50lbs @ 28"
Ziricote Riser
Phenolic Accents
Cocobolo Veneers
Amberboo Core Lams

Whatcha Think?
PICTURES- First Longbow Build (http://s150.photobucket.com/user/lightmansa/slideshow/First%20Longbow%20Build)

Jeff
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: D on September 22, 2014, 02:38:00 PM: What a great looking bow. Nicely done. I like the shape of he riser and holy cow what a deer in the background. Very good looking bow
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Trux Turning on September 22, 2014, 02:56:00 PM: Great job on the bow! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: timbermoose on September 22, 2014, 02:56:00 PM: Great job!
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Mike Most on September 22, 2014, 03:37:00 PM: Judging from those pictures your well on your way. In looking at the wipe on poly can I wondered if that was semi gloss? (been a while since I have looked at those cans.) I really liked using the true oil gun stock finish, about 5$ at Academy in doing my last couple of bows.

But what you used is a good one imho. by the way which side of good ol SA are you on? :archer2:
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Wagstaff on September 22, 2014, 04:36:00 PM: I tried using that "Wipe On Poly".. It was still tacky after 3 days!.. So, I sanded it all off completely. I re-finished it with Spray on Min-Wax Helmsman Spar Urethane, Satin. Looks good, but not very tough..! I'm looking for something better..

I may just invest in a sprayer and use Krystal...
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: MoeM on September 22, 2014, 05:46:00 PM: Man if my first would have looked like this... really great job!!
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Wagstaff on September 22, 2014, 06:23:00 PM: Thanks Very Much for the compliments, guys..! I like the way it shoots too!..

@ Mike Most.. I'm just north of Stone Oak, off 281.. Lookout Canyons.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: BenM on September 22, 2014, 06:53:00 PM: Wow. Great job. Really like the way that belly lam runs all the way through the riser. Very cool
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: bornofmud on September 22, 2014, 06:55:00 PM: Nice, you did the riser the same way I do them, not very common (cut through the back, have the belly lams run through the middle). Great job for a first, nice piece of ziri too.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: kennym on September 22, 2014, 07:55:00 PM: Nice job Jeff! You keepin this one or is your son laying claim to it? LOL
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Al Dean on September 22, 2014, 07:58:00 PM: super job.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Crittergetter on September 22, 2014, 08:55:00 PM: Would have never known that was your first bow if you hadn't said so! Very very well done!!!!
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Wagstaff on September 22, 2014, 09:12:00 PM: Thanks Very Much, Friends..

This has been a really rewarding project.. Especially so, as something to share with my grown son.. What more could a Dad ask for, right?

Kenny.. No Way.. I'm keeping this one..! Ha!

My son built an "all bocote" bow, which came out fine too. Our bows dont look anything alike, even though we used the same form... He tapered his limbs into a "Whip" style of bow, while mine is rather atypical...

They both really shoot well..!
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: delongbows on September 22, 2014, 11:23:00 PM: Excellent work!
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: LESKEN2011 on September 23, 2014, 08:19:00 AM: Very nice job!!
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Robertfishes on September 23, 2014, 09:35:00 AM: Looks awesome! Did you seal the cocobolo? If not then that might be the reason there was some tackyness with the finish. A q-tip with super glue on it wiped over the cocobolo veneer edge should work. I did that once and it came out nice. Can't wait to see your next bow.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Pheonixarcher on September 25, 2014, 07:18:00 PM: Very nice! Great choice in woods, and neat looking design! Good job.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: JJB on September 25, 2014, 09:54:00 PM: I love the looks of that one, well done!
-Jay
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Drewster on September 25, 2014, 11:15:00 PM: That's impressive work for your first one. Can't wait to see you 20th bow. Well done.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: monterey on September 30, 2014, 05:34:00 PM: Why do so many first bows look better than my 20th???
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: bigbob2 on September 30, 2014, 06:35:00 PM: wish my first bow had looked that impressive! Like the sculptured riser too.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: macbow on September 30, 2014, 07:30:00 PM: Very nice like the slick shape.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Buemaker on October 01, 2014, 09:58:00 AM: Very nice. Bue--. :)
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Sam Harper on October 01, 2014, 10:45:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by Pathfinder22:

Whatcha Think?

I think your first bow looks better than my 120th. Some people just have a gift.
Title: Re: My Very First Bow Completed
Post by: Wagstaff on October 01, 2014, 05:40:00 PM: Thanks Very Much, Friends..!

I put in a lot of planning time, and created a "Vision" before I started..

The truth is though.. It would NOT have turned out the way it did without the information I picked up from you good people .

Unfortunately, building bows is practically an infectious disease..

No Known Cure..

The only treatments is:
buy more tools, collect more pretty wood, make more sawdust..

Shopping for a deal on a Drum Sander Now..