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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: longrifle on April 04, 2015, 09:26:00 AM

Title: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: longrifle on April 04, 2015, 09:26:00 AM

Thinking about making one and would like input and info on what you have made and done. Pavan already gave me some  good info anyone else have anything to add?

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: wood carver 2 on April 04, 2015, 11:36:00 AM

I have made a few all bamboo longbows. They draw and shoot smooth and quiet, but I think a hardwood core makes for a harder hitting bow.
Dave.

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: Pat B on April 04, 2015, 12:50:00 PM

are you talking all bamboo or all bamboo under glass?

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: KenH on April 04, 2015, 03:06:00 PM

I've made straight bendy-handle bamboo selfbows.  No backing, just a nice large slat to start with.  Bhutanese style, with the curved side of the culm as the belly, not the flattened inside.  Fire-hardened with a heat gun. 56" 'flatbow' shaped, draws 40# plus.

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: Mad Max on April 04, 2015, 03:46:00 PM

Poor folk bows
Has a nice how to on his site

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: longrifle on April 04, 2015, 05:43:00 PM

I'm talking like the Schulz Natural, or Parting shot  
Any pics you fellas??

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: wood carver 2 on April 04, 2015, 06:18:00 PM

 (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0570_zps6fa97fb5.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/1wood1/media/IMG_0570_zps6fa97fb5.jpg.html)
  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0571_zps8a336b87.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/1wood1/media/IMG_0571_zps8a336b87.jpg.html)
  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0572_zpsd4c10f83.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/1wood1/media/IMG_0572_zpsd4c10f83.jpg.html)
  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0573_zpsc1cb23aa.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/1wood1/media/IMG_0573_zpsc1cb23aa.jpg.html)
This is an all bamboo longbow I built last year. Not really fast, but a sweet shooter. Draw weight was in the low 40# range. The riser is cherry, walnut and maple.
Dave.

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: longrifle on April 04, 2015, 07:23:00 PM

Nice very nice woodcarver.

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: turmoiler on April 07, 2015, 02:31:00 PM

Hi wood carver, that's an awesome bow, may I ask you some questions?

Here they are:

Did you use a tapered core lam?
Did you toast the bamboo belly?
How did you tiller it?
Did you glue in it some relex/recurve or is it totally flat?
Can you give us some more specs: width(at the fades, at the nocks), thickness,length,...?

Thanks in advance
Sergi

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: wood carver 2 on April 07, 2015, 04:59:00 PM

I gave that bow to a friend, but I'll try to remember how it's built. I taper the core lam in these bows.
The belly was toasted with a torch.
I tillered it by scraping and sanding the edges.
This one is flat. I usually glue in some reflex to counter set, but this one has a low draw weight so I didn't bother.
I don't remember the length, but it's 1 1/4" wide tapering to a bit less than 1/2". The back and belly are 1/8" at the riser and taper to 1/16". The core lam is either 1/4" or 3/16" and tapers to 1/8". It draws around 40# @ 28" and is totally silent.
Dave.

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: wood carver 2 on April 07, 2015, 05:01:00 PM

I gave that bow to a friend, but I'll try to remember how it's built. I taper the core lam in these bows.
The belly was toasted with a torch.
I tillered it by scraping and sanding the edges.
This one is flat. I usually glue in some reflex to counter set, but this one has a low draw weight so I didn't bother.
I don't remember the length, but it's 1 1/4" wide tapering to a bit less than 1/2". The back and belly are 1/8" at the riser and taper to 1/16". The core lam is either 1/4" or 3/16" and tapers to 1/8". It draws around 40# @ 28" and is totally silent.
Dave.

Title: Re: All Bamboo bows, who's made one??
Post by: turmoiler on April 08, 2015, 08:54:00 AM

Many thanks for the info Dave, I want to try this design soon.