Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: YosemiteSam on November 13, 2017, 02:45:00 PM

Title: First bow from a stave
Post by: YosemiteSam on November 13, 2017, 02:45:00 PM
Going to try to get some pictures up here.

Thanks again, mwosborn, for the ash stave.  This was my first bow from a stave, first use of a draw knife and my first parallel-limb (non-pyramid) design.  It was also my first attempt at heat bending & heat treating.  So lots of firsts and, of course, plenty of trial and error.

Here is the original stave (top):
   (https://i.imgur.com/n8HWdkQm.jpg)
Side profile:
   (https://i.imgur.com/kKGQPYvm.jpg)  

And here is the (mostly) finished bow
    (https://i.imgur.com/yMNJxMom.jpg)    

The bow finished out 65" NTN after taking it down a few inches from the intended length.  It only pulls 30# at 28" so it's going to be a backyard bow.  But, over the weekend, I took my last board bow to a 3D shoot and it raised a splinter.  So this one came in just in time to replace that one for backyard fun.  

Since I did so little scraping on the first half of the limbs (near the fades) after floor tillering, I think that is where I took too much off.  Most all my tillering time was on the last half or third of the limbs.  Lesson learned: be more conservative on the floor tillering stage.

It still has a sideways crook, even after I steamed the handle a couple of times.  Here's a shot of it after roughing out.
   (https://i.imgur.com/6XPZZz7m.jpg)  

But since the string is off to one side a little and I cut a shelf in, it's almost centershot.  I shot a mixed group of 11/32" 50# spine and 5/16" 35# spine shafts and they all group together at 20 yards (low shots were me drawing a bit short).
   (https://i.imgur.com/xFL3YXcm.jpg)  

I wanted to experiment with a gray stain since the places I hunt have a lot of weathered wood on the ground.  I may do that again next time.

I'll put a little felt on the shelf, add a leather strike plate and finish it with some beeswax later in the week.
Title: Re: First bow from a stave
Post by: Forwardhandle on November 13, 2017, 05:19:00 PM
Congrats ! On your first stave ,watch out they get addicting !
Title: Re: First bow from a stave
Post by: BMorv on November 13, 2017, 05:38:00 PM
Nice job!  Full draw pics?
 
The biggest advancement I've made in building bows is making sure I get the thickness taper nailed down at floor tiller.  It makes the rest of tillering so much simpler.  If you mess up there, the rest of your tillering will be a headache.
Title: Re: First bow from a stave
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 14, 2017, 08:17:00 AM
Nice, congrats.
Title: Re: First bow from a stave
Post by: mwosborn on November 14, 2017, 10:41:00 PM
Nice Job!  It is not uncommon for the first one (or few) to come in lighter than you want.  It is definitely a process to learn...I am still learning it!    :)
Title: Re: First bow from a stave
Post by: Pat B on November 15, 2017, 10:50:00 PM
Congrats on your first. Now get started on the next one.
Title: Re: First bow from a stave
Post by: George Tsoukalas on November 21, 2017, 08:39:00 AM
Congratulations on your first stave  bow. Jawge