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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: BFreed59 on May 25, 2015, 01:48:00 PM
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Hi all, I thought I would start off by introducing myself since this is my first post here. I have been reading the boards here for the better part of the last year, and have been both inspired and amazed at the skill all of you have shown with your build alongs.
I have finally decided to take the leap and ordered a kit from binghams to make my first glass recurve. The kit should arrive within the next few days.
I have built a few self bows with varying degrees of success, and from doing so the bug has taken hold and can't wait to start my next one.
I would like to ask if any if you have some advice before I start on my first one?
Thanks to all of you and keep up the great work on your projects, they are a great inspiration and I hope to have half of your skill some day.
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Starting off with a kit from Binghams is a step in the right direction. That's how I got started and so did many many others.
As far as advice, just follow their plans and you will end up very near your intended draw weight. Also, don't be afraid to really round over the edges of your riser and limbs. I see a lot of new bowyers who's bows end up looking kind of "blocky" because they don't want to take off too much material for fear of it breaking. I was one of them and my first bow looked like a 2 x 4 with a sight window cut into it.
Good luck!
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Take your time. A slip of a file and your hard work can be spoiled. Don't rush. :) oh and have fun! I love building bows!
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I'm in the same boat as you...my Bingham's kit just arrived last week. I haven't had time to start yet, but I'm heading out to my Dad's place tomorrow to get started.
What kit did you get?
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I got the 66" take down recurve, and am shooting for around 60 lbs at my 32" draw.
What kit did you get, and hope it starts off good for you tomorrow.
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Welcome aboard. I would suggest a couple of dry runs, it seems all type of gremlins pop once the epoxy goes on. The dry run will also make sure everything is available and handy. Take your time no big hurry. I remember when I started I was always afraid the epoxy was going to set up or somehow go bad if I took to long getting it spread. Speaking of epoxy, mix it very well. Good luck and we will need pictures.
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I will definitely be taking lots of pictures so that however it turns out it will be a learning experience. And thanks for the advice
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I got the 58" take down recurve kit. It didn't quite come with everything we needed, still missing the limb hardware, but I'm pumped to get things rolling.
Like said above, I'm taking my time. I think we ordered it to be 50# @ 28". I draw around 27". Fortunately we already have the form and heat box built which will save us some time.
Definitely recommend watching the DVD first, tons of great info on step by step how to do it on there. Really cleared up some (not all) questions I had going in.
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I plan on taking my time with everything, and am looking forward to watching the DVD that comes with the kit it should be interesting to see a more in depth explanation of the process
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So the kit from binghams just got here today, I plan on watching the video and reading through the information with it a few times then hopefully get started building soon
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Fairly new at the bow making thing, but have always enjoyed woodworking and did some less than serious archery in my teens - built my first bow at 15. Just started again at 60!
Mentioned archery to my son, who showed a lot of interest so I bought him a takedown recurve (#30) for his 16th birthday. Once I'd shot it a few times I was (re)hooked. Bought myself a takdown too.
Decided to have a go at making a bow. Just kind of jumped in, bought some wood, did some research and started shaping.
Have made a couple of oak pyramid bows - first was rather light (#28 @ 28") - second was better (#42 @ 28)
Just finished a maple 'Holmegaard style' bow.
68" NTN #53 @ 28"
I have a couple of risers made for my attempt at a takedown recurve. Risers are easy - now comes the hard part - Limbs!
Just have a go and learn from your mistakes.
Have fun with it, that's the most important part, IMHO.
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Thought I would post an update since I started to work on stuff today. Started getting the form made, screwed and glued just waiting for the glue to completely dry before cutting and sanding. I also started some work on the riser block, and made templates from the plans.
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Thought I would post an update since I started to work on stuff today. Started getting the form made, screwed and glued just waiting for the glue to completely dry before cutting and sanding. I also started some work on the riser block, and made templates from the plans.
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So here is the wood I have for the riser ready to be glued up
(http://s304.photobucket.com/user/freed59/media/WP_20150604_002_zpsc3c9f0a1.jpg.html?filters%5Balbum_content%5D=2&filters%5Balbum%5D=%2Falbums%2Fnn175%2Ffreed59&sort=3&o=/albums/nn175/freed59/WP_20150604_002_zpsc3c9f0a1.jpg)
Purpleheart between shedua
(http://s304.photobucket.com/user/freed59/media/WP_20150604_001_zps3e169172.jpg.html?filters%5Balbum_content%5D=2&filters%5Balbum%5D=%2Falbums%2Fnn175%2Ffreed59&sort=3&o=/albums/nn175/freed59/WP_20150604_001_zps3e169172.jpg)
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Hopefully my bow build goes better than my posting, a double post followed by not linking the pictures correctly
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Lets try this again
Wood for riser
(http://i.imgur.com/3PpjWUP.jpg)
Ready for glue
(http://i.imgur.com/fGLCHQ3.jpg)
After glue and cutting the limb pads
(http://i.imgur.com/Kom80h7.jpg)
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Been making dome progress the last few days, so thought I would post an update.
I finished the forms earlier in the week, and was able to borrow a heat box from my girlfriends dad, who has built a few bows in the past.
I got all everything prepped for glue by brushing with a stiff brush and blowing the dust off with an air compressor.
(http://i.imgur.com/SSwmxom.jpg)
At first I tried using a small trim roller to apply the smooth on, but soon found that that was a pain, and using a scraper was much easier. I probably uses way too much glue but I would rather have too much than not enough.
(http://i.imgur.com/1hcZT3d.jpg)
Got everything glued up into the form and into the oven after some minor frustration. Following the instructions from binghams I warmed the laminations in the oven before, bit the were warped when I took them out. So for the second limb I didn't pre heat the laminations which made aligning them in the press much easier.
(http://i.imgur.com/zplFjLR.jpg)
Here is the first limb once I took it out of the oven after cooling back down to room temp, so far looks to have come out ok despite the warping. Right now the second limb is in the heat box and hopefully will turn out good.
I have also been working on a few arrows to see if I can make anything halfway decent.
(http://i.imgur.com/rqUrj6Q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lzgse4h.jpg)
So far seems to be going along smoothly be dont have any experience to compare to, so if anyone has any comments or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.
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Welcome to the addictive craft of bow making! You are in good hands here, my friend, everyone here wants to see you succeed in your bow making venture! Take what the friendly folks here have to offer you to heart, and above all, don't expect to be an expert over night. My advice? Be meticulous in everything you do, treat it as if you were doing surgery (well, almost). Keep all your wood and glass clean and oil free (the kind that comes from your fingers). Avoid touching the glue surfaces. Read read read everything you can get your hands and eyes on! Above all-Have fun!
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Thanks for the help and encouraging words from everyone so far. It is definitely an addictive craft.
I have one question for the next step. I am planning to shape the limbs this week sometime, but the bandsaw I have been using is very small, one of the cheap ones, that struggles with anything other than light thin wood. I am thinking that it wont be able to handle the glass on the limbs...
I have access to a router table, and a band saw with a drum sanding bit and was wondering if either of those would work better than a rickety bandsaw?
Or if anyone has any other suggestions?
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If you have a 4'' grinder then a thin kerf cutting blade will suffice if you are very careful getting close to your lines. Then you can just use a piece of wood about 18'' long with rounded ends and two cuts in the upper side, and wrap sand paper along the bottom and up the ends using it to 'plane' the lines down.Works fine.
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Mount the limbs first and line up the center line on riser with the centers on limbs at nocks with a string. Move at nocks both limbs same amount to line up with riser.
I grind my limb edges to line with an ancient skil 6" disc sander , about 10 min. per limb,just change limb sides often to reduce heat.
36 or 40 grit.
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4-1/2" hand grinder
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It turns out the little band saw was able to cut through it ok, got the limbs shaped up and just need to round the edges then throw a string on there. I will post some pics later today.
Thanks for the help guys
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Here are some pics of my progress. Its finally starting to look like a bow!!
(http://i.imgur.com/ToygDQ2.jpg)
Got the limbs shaped up and bolted on.
(http://i.imgur.com/jSMzSbT.jpg)
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Finally got a string on it, I gotta say it was a bit nerve racking to string it the first time.
(http://i.imgur.com/O0R3Yox.jpg)
There is a little bit of Lim twist going on and my plan is to work on that a bit tonight.
(http://i.imgur.com/LZOaRK3.jpg)
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I have been having some trouble with fixing the limb twist, it has stayed about the same, I'm not sure if I am just not removing enough along the limb edge I get kinda nervous when doing that so may have been going a little too lightly with that.
I also got the riser shaped and just have alot of sanding ahead of me.
(http://i.imgur.com/YfU8P4m.jpg)
I also tested out some teak oil as a finish. And think it looks pretty good. I haven't used it before and wanted to see if anyone has used it before and if I am on the right track. I'm planning on doing 4 coats and sanding in between. Then wait a few days then put a clear coat on. Would that work?
(http://i.imgur.com/AtxwB10.jpg)
And on a side note the scrap I used to test the finish out on makes a pretty fancy doorstop
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That finish looks good. It seems like you have some experience with oil finishes. I've done a bit of research on all the different types of finishes, oils and varnishes and their blends. And I have to say I wish producers wouldn't make it so confusing for people. Most oil based finishes are so similar you almost couldnt tell difference when using them. They have just marketed them under so many names and brands we all are led to believe there are so many choices and considerations to make, when there aren't. Anyway, I'll get off my soap box, you saying you used 'teak oil' just reminded me of that.
Anyway, I personally wouldnt put a clear coat over the oil. A well aplied oil finish is not only gorgeous, but plenty durable for most applications, unless you plan on dragging the bow behind the truck or leaving it in the lake that is.
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Got some more work done on the bow, I have the limb tip overlays glued on not shaped yet, and think I have most of the limb twist straightened out. I will get a picture up once I string it up again. I have also got some sanding done on the riser, got up to 100 grit. I didn't realize how cool the grain of the zebra wood was till I wiped the sawdust out, it almost looks like a laminated piece of wood, can't wait to get the finish put on and see how it looks finished.
(http://i.imgur.com/i6FBdD0.jpg)
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I figures it has been awhile since I updated this thread, I have nearly fixed the twist, just a tiny bit left in the limbs but it is shootable now and doesn't kick the string. I just started to put the finish on the riser and its looking good after 3 coats I will wait awhile and put another coat or two on it. I'm really liking the purpleheart and zebrawood combo, the teak oil finish really brightens the purpleheart up
(http://i.imgur.com/clsmj7C.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cxblg9Q.jpg)
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That looks great! I like the wood combo!
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My first bow wasn't near that nice. Hats off to you. Nice job!
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Cool!
Just a heads up though on the purpleheart, over time it will go grey....See if you can get a finish to go on top with a uv inhibitor in it.
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The bottle of teak oil says it acts as a UV blocker, but not sure how good of one it is since I have never used it before.
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Just finished my bow yesterday, and thought I would post some finished pictures up.
The finished specs are 66" NTN
After bringing it to the local archery shot to weigh it, it pulls 65# at 32" feels nice and smooth all the way back.
Working on getting a full draw pic up for you guys.
Here it is unstrung
(http://i.imgur.com/Cy4kP5J.jpg)
Here it is with the string on
(http://i.imgur.com/fwjzrH2.jpg)
The riser
(http://i.imgur.com/DbNDyhK.jpg)
And a pic of it outside
(http://i.imgur.com/B6N7Gfe.jpg)
Thanks for all the help and encouragement! This is really an addicting hobby and already thinking of what to build next.
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And here is the full draw picture, don't mind the poor form, looks like i'm drawing a bit short of what i should be, that will be my next project to fix... may be a long process.
(http://i.imgur.com/Vfg95bo.jpg)
thanks again for all the help.
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Looks really nice Brian! Good finish too. I use an oil finish and top with a poly. Makes for a good, hard, and durable finish. And you're right, that oil really brings out the color so much more than just poly by itself!
My first takedown took FOR-EV-ER to get the limb alignment figured out. Glad to see it didn't take long for you. I guess I've got a thicker head to sink through. :knothead:
Nice job again! :thumbsup: