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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Pat B on July 09, 2018, 12:05:23 PM

Title: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 09, 2018, 12:05:23 PM
I searched but couldn't find the old "hickory backed lemonwood" thread. I had to grind off the hickory backing because it lifted a splinter. I wasn't sure about the boo I had to back it with but I thinned and shaped it anyway...
...jump ahead a few months. I finally decided to go ahead and back the lemonwood with the boo. I was expecting it to come out light but was I surprised. I rushed the glue up after resurfacing both the lemonwood and boo but without doing a thorough inspection. It held about 2 1/2" of reflex off the form but as you can see the reflex is uneven. Fortunately there is plenty of weight so I should be able to even up the tiller.
Here are a few pics...
(https://i.imgur.com/oH08qHz.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/rv4pej7.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Ar2wFH1.jpg)
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 09, 2018, 12:15:53 PM
Nice, Pat..

This the thread ya want?

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=156603.msg2702410#msg2702410
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 09, 2018, 12:32:32 PM
I guess I didn't look back far enough. Thanks Roy.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Wolftrail on July 09, 2018, 01:06:22 PM
Looks good what kind of adhesive ya using.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 09, 2018, 02:38:57 PM
I used Weldwood Plastic Resin.
 It's been so long since I made a boo backed bow that I didn't even consider the node placement on this bow or even up the bend before glue up. I really wasn't expecting it to be very strong but boy was I surprised. I guess we'll see how she holds up.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 10, 2018, 04:36:29 PM
I would bet that combo will make a solid durable bow ,I really like slightly reflexed strait long bows , one of my favorite natural material bows they make great smooth shooters  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 13, 2018, 03:48:03 PM
Well, I've got her shooting. She's 68"t/t and pulls about 50#@26". I still have to add the Tru-Oil finish, floppy rest and handle wrap. I'll post a full draw pic later when I can get Marcia to take one. Here are a few pics...
(https://i.imgur.com/mALEOjb.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/MDNcDfu.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Qpt1ZLl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Q6WPd0F.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/XZZCQXI.jpg)

Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 13, 2018, 05:38:46 PM
Very nice Pat it held it's profile nice at 68'' bet it's smooth drawing ! Looks like it has some positive tiller with the slightly more reflexed limb ?
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 16, 2018, 01:20:15 PM
FRETS!!! :banghead:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: BMorv on July 16, 2018, 02:23:34 PM
Dang.  I hate when that happens.  Are they really bad?
I have at least 5 bows with frets that shoot just fine (although I would rather them not be there)
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 16, 2018, 03:39:47 PM
Wow I wouldn't of thought on a 68 '' bow I guess you never know that sucks !
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 16, 2018, 04:40:23 PM
From what I've read, lemonwood is susceptible to fretting. I was concerned using the boo backing but it was the bad bend in the the lower limb that caused the frets. I was trying to relieve that bad bend by bring the bend back towards the handle when I noticed the frets. There are 3 or 4 across the belly and very obvious. I can't trust it.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: BMorv on July 16, 2018, 05:31:17 PM
I read that too about lemonwood.  Yeah if it's more than one and across the whole width that isn't good as I'm sure you realize.  Man, was looking like a nice bow.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 16, 2018, 06:42:02 PM
That sucks, Pat.

It was looking real nice.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on July 16, 2018, 11:28:55 PM
I can't blame the lemonwood. I made a hickory backed lemonwood ALB a few years ago that is still shooting as far as I know. I rushed the process on this one without thinking it out first. Glued up with uneven tiller then overcompensation trying to tiller it out.
 I won't burn it but I may re-purpose it. Atlatl anyone?   ;)
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on April 24, 2019, 03:58:52 PM
I finally got around to grinding down the lemonwood belly and added a thin strip of osage to each limb. I used TBIII because the Weldwood Plastic Resin was lumpy and I couldn't get it smooth. She's in the oven now. I turned the heat off after an hour and I'll let her rest in her bike tube bindings til tomorrow. This was a spur of the moment happening so I don't expect too much. Maybe I'll surprise myself.  :cheesy:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Flem on April 24, 2019, 04:42:55 PM
Damn,too bad it was looking good. Funny how fret describes a physical effect and the emotional response it causes. Do you think the reflex had something to do with the frets?
Where the heck do you get Lemonwood? I didn't think it was available, being from Cuba
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on April 24, 2019, 06:43:08 PM
I got the lemonwood from a guy that had it for years. It is still available but quite scarce.
I think the problem was I got in a rush and my tillering was off. Lemonwood is susceptible to fretting but I built a similar bow a few years ago(it was hickory backed) that is a great shooter and as far as I know is still shooting well. I donated it to the raffle table at the Tenn Classic.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Flem on April 24, 2019, 11:09:35 PM
How old is that Lemonwood, pre Castro? Wood does loose its elasticity with age. Lignins like other connective tissue degrade over time. I know mine has :saywhat:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on April 25, 2019, 09:54:07 AM
I believe this is pre-embargo lemonwood. The other piece I made a bow from did fine. Like I said I blame myself and not the wood, knowing that lemonwood is susceptible to fretting.
My lignins have definitely stretch out of shape after almost 69 years.  :laughing:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2019, 10:54:04 PM
I took the bow out of her wraps yesterday sawed off the excess osage and today I rounded the edges of the osage and cleaned up the sides of both limbs and reshaped the fades where the osage belly goes on it.
The glue line isn't the best so I doctored that with superglue. I'll take her as she is now to the Tenn Classic and retiller her there. If she decides to blow at least I'll be in good company.  :thumbsup:  Here's a few pics..
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Flem on April 27, 2019, 10:10:44 AM
Looks like you got a trilam now!
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on April 27, 2019, 11:05:38 AM
Hope it doesn't go to a quad.  :laughing:
She's not the first tri-lam I've HAD to make. Might as well do what I can to make a shooter.   :thumbsup:
I've only made one tri-lam on purpose and that was years ago.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on May 27, 2019, 10:17:20 AM
Well, here she is and her name is "Wilsheblo". She came through the process OK. I put a few dozen arrows through her yesterday and she shoots pretty good, nothing special but pretty good. She pulls 47#@26". I had to narrow the limbs to get the draw to a manageable weight because the osage belly lam was getting thin. Still no finish on her but I'll start that today, 5 to 6 coats of Tru-Oil with a satin poly over spray. I'll add a floppy rest and hemp cordage handle wrap.
As you can see the one limb still has more reflex at brace that the other. That was glued in initially and trying to even them up didn't work out for me.
 Here are a few pics...   
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Roy from Pa on May 27, 2019, 08:00:12 PM
Looks nice, Pat.

Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on May 28, 2019, 09:52:35 AM
Thanks Roy. I'm curious to see if she'll last hence her name "Wilsheblo".   :saywhat:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: BMorv on May 28, 2019, 10:56:42 AM
I think it'll last.  Osage and boo are a strong combo, and you tiller looks spot on.  Nice Pat.  Looks like it would be a smooth shooter at that length.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Buemaker on May 28, 2019, 04:15:55 PM
Bending very nice Pat.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on June 05, 2019, 11:10:59 AM
Here are a few finishing touches...
(https://i.imgur.com/5mxvGmU.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/swp5mz7.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/FCP65X4.jpg)
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 05, 2019, 11:17:26 AM
I dunno know, Pat.

It looks a little frail.

Maybe ya otta send it to me so ya don't get hurt if it blows up?

LOL... Nice Job..
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on June 05, 2019, 11:19:39 AM
Roy, I keep waiting for the hammer to fall but so far she's holding up. Maybe she won't live up to her name.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 05, 2019, 12:31:20 PM
I have a feeling she will be fine, Pat.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Flem on June 05, 2019, 08:12:15 PM
Looks nice Pat!  Your add on lams look like joinery, pretty cool :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Pat B on June 05, 2019, 10:41:19 PM
Not up close, Flem. It's all smoke and mirrors.  :bigsmyl:
BTW, the handle wrap is hemp cord set in Massey finish. I used 2 colors of the hemp for a little contrast and of course a "Ferret's" Floppy Rest.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: Wolftrail on June 06, 2019, 09:44:55 PM
Looks good, nice patina.  I'm like you I prefer longer bows, I believe that one is 68 NTN.  I'm just finishing off a bow its 67 NTN.  I prefer the smoothness and cast of a longer bow besides been easier for me to tiller.
Title: Re: Boo backed lemonwood
Post by: ron w on July 03, 2019, 10:43:53 PM
 :thumbsup: looks good