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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: jsweka on December 13, 2018, 02:25:17 PM

Title: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 13, 2018, 02:25:17 PM
I decided I needed one of them curvy bows Kenny fancies.

Got my form built and i’m ready to start on the bow.

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: TattooDave on December 13, 2018, 02:33:32 PM
Looking forward to seeing this build.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 13, 2018, 03:06:36 PM
Looks  good looking forward to seeing it !
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 13, 2018, 03:48:10 PM
About time you build a bow:)
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 13, 2018, 04:26:20 PM
Form looks good.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 13, 2018, 05:01:08 PM
Roy - unlike you old timers, us young pups still have to have a day job which cuts into bowyer time. ;)

I actually had some vacation time I needed to burn before the end of the year, so I got started on this bow.

Form is finished, riser cut out, and lams spliced together with glue drying.  I’ll do a dry run tomorrow to make sure everything fits then glue it up. 

I’m staying simple for the first one of this design.  Curly maple riser, actionboo lams, and brown glass.

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 13, 2018, 05:08:39 PM
I like it already, John.

I hear you met one of my bowyer guys, Jerry, at Shade Mountain shoot?
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 13, 2018, 05:38:27 PM
Yes I did. Nice feller and builds a pretty bow.  You taught him well!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 13, 2018, 05:55:36 PM
He's pretty sharp at building bows.

Learns fast.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 13, 2018, 08:12:41 PM
I’m bettin you will like it!   :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Jwilliam on December 14, 2018, 12:02:47 AM
Looking forward to seeing this one John !!!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 14, 2018, 05:06:18 PM
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Out of the oven.
I didn’t glue it to the form. That’s a good start.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 14, 2018, 05:12:29 PM
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 14, 2018, 05:19:44 PM
Never glued one to the form------ be no fun I bet. Looks good so far.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Buemaker on December 14, 2018, 05:31:50 PM
Looking gooood.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 14, 2018, 05:39:33 PM
Looking good, like the maple riser is it a 60" ?
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Shredd on December 14, 2018, 05:45:07 PM
Designing a new bow is always fun...  Good Luck on your build...
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 14, 2018, 09:21:01 PM
Oh I didn’t design this one. I paid a minimal cost for Kenny’s engineering.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 15, 2018, 07:42:21 AM
Got a string on it.  The limb on the right is a bit stiff.  Gotta correct that.

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 15, 2018, 08:03:58 AM
That one have a straight taper?  The last one I done was about 3/4 in. out. I rounded all the corners and then rounded the stiff limb more and sanded the glass with 120 grit  Did not take a lot to get it right.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 15, 2018, 08:15:31 AM
It’s got Kenny’s Superlam - 0.001 taper.
It didn’t take much work to fix it.

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I checked the weight and i’m way under what I intended (50 #).  It’s 39#.
I had some slippage of the belly lams and glass during glue up, so I had to make it a bit narrower than I wanted.  Bummer.

Decision time.......Do I pike it to get a bow in the mid 40’s or finish it out as a light weight bow?  Hmmmmmm.....
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 15, 2018, 08:46:15 AM
39# is perfect for 3D shooting.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 15, 2018, 09:39:17 AM
I've got a daughter who'd love it. You wouldn't even have to finish it...she could do it herself.

 :smileystooges:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 15, 2018, 09:39:37 AM
Piked it.  Now up to 44#.
Yeah, good 3D weight and to work on shooting form.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 15, 2018, 09:48:27 AM
It just may come your way, Dave.
I’ve been trying 3 under, so let me use this one over the winter/spring to get that down and when I build a heavier one for hunting this one will need a home.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 15, 2018, 09:51:42 AM
Was just kidding...Emma shoots left handed.

 :wavey:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 15, 2018, 10:19:35 AM
My last had a stiffer limb it was just a tad wider on the stiff side I did my front view profile taper 1" out of the fades
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 16, 2018, 08:50:00 AM
Just a couple progress pics. Sight window cut and started shaping the grip.
That will be all for this weekend.

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: ghall80 on December 16, 2018, 04:04:58 PM
O buddy I can’t wait to see it finished up !!!!
I love a good Sweka bow!!!!!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: C. Johnson on December 18, 2018, 10:00:13 AM
Looking good!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 18, 2018, 07:47:06 PM
I got the riser pretty wel shaped up. Lots of sanding still to do.
Another decision I need to make is whether or not to dye the riser brown or leave it natural maple color.  Hmmmm.....  what do you all think?

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 18, 2018, 08:01:46 PM
Love the natural look  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 18, 2018, 08:15:00 PM
If it were me , I’d stain it cuz I like the riser darker than the limbs. Just me... :)
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Bvas on December 18, 2018, 08:45:34 PM
My bows are built to hunt, and I don’t baby them. So if they get banged up, I don’t wanna have to worry about blending stain on damaged areas.

Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 18, 2018, 09:31:45 PM
Camo spray paint!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 18, 2018, 10:01:56 PM
Camo spray paint!

NO NO NO NO!!!!  And NO!   :scared:

My name is not Gary Hall.   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 19, 2018, 04:35:23 AM
I'd spray it flat black and call it midnight.

 :laughing:

Looks real nice, John.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 19, 2018, 08:42:04 AM
It would be a pain to stain the riser without doing the limb edges to. Sooo leave natural or do edges and all or like Roy said black then clear over that.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 19, 2018, 02:23:42 PM
just sayin' ... camo would be sweet...
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 19, 2018, 08:28:24 PM
Yeah, I’ll definitely do the limb edges too if I decide to stain it.
We’ll see how the curl looks when I get it sanded smooth before making a final decision. Staining would make the grain pop more, but we’ll see.

The one promise I can make you all is that I WILL NEVER APPLY PAINT TO A BOW I MAKE!  (Just my preference in bows  :thumbsup:)
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 19, 2018, 08:39:14 PM
"Staining would make the grain pop more, but we’ll see."


That was my thought also...


however you do it will look great ,John! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 19, 2018, 09:27:17 PM
Maybe a camo stain job then?
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 19, 2018, 10:00:59 PM
Ok Dave. “Brown Zebra Camo” due to a walnut stain on the curl in the maple.  I could live with that.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Jwilliam on December 19, 2018, 11:05:33 PM
That sure is coming along nicely John !!! Can’t wait to see the finished bow.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 20, 2018, 04:37:31 AM
I just wanna see ya shooting it.

Stain is your choice...

Curly maple is too pretty for a dark stain though.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: skeaterbait on December 20, 2018, 09:34:32 AM
Curly maple is too pretty for a dark stain though.

As painful as it is to admit, I have to agree with Roy. :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Shredd on December 20, 2018, 10:09:22 AM
Isn't this the first bow of this design??   I say Git'er Done!!  Plenty of time for pretty bows later on...  The beauty right now lies in the lines which are very nice...  Great Job...
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 20, 2018, 10:15:14 AM
Quote
As painful as it is to admit, I have to agree with Roy.

Didn't hurt too much did it?

LOL
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: skeaterbait on December 20, 2018, 10:18:23 AM
Quote
As painful as it is to admit, I have to agree with Roy.

Didn't hurt too much did it?

LOL

Naw, you know you are my hero.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 20, 2018, 10:44:45 AM
Lets not be getting mushy now. :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 21, 2018, 07:15:32 AM
John, you shot it yet?  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 21, 2018, 04:55:39 PM
Kenny - I haven’t shot it yet, but plan to by Sunday before I start applying finish.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 21, 2018, 06:59:54 PM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 23, 2018, 03:33:05 PM
I shot the curvy bow for the first time today.  Took it for a good test drive before starting the finish.

Kenny came up with a dandy design!!!!

Even though I missed weight on this one due to some lam slippage, it still spits an arrow.  It ended up at 42# and I used the 50 - 55 spine Douglas fir arrows I normally shoot out of my Hill style bows that are about 15# heavier.  This little bow seems to shoot them just as quick!!!   I was shooting 13 grains per pound.  I’ll get Gary Hall to make me up a set of carbons, and we’ll really see how it performs  :thumbsup:

If you any of you guys are thinking about a new design,  you sure can’t go wrong with Kenny’s design and template.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 24, 2018, 09:54:00 AM
First coat of finish applied.  I did apply a light water based dye to make the figure in a he curly maple pop.

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 24, 2018, 10:00:35 AM
Looking good  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 24, 2018, 10:02:25 AM
WOW

That is sharp, John..

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 24, 2018, 10:14:55 AM
Nice job John !!

Roy wantin one now!!! LOL
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Buemaker on December 24, 2018, 10:24:03 AM
Nice, some Christmas present.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Shredd on December 24, 2018, 10:52:07 AM
  There - you - go...   Looks Great Buddy...  Merry Christmas..  Have fun shooting it...  And lets see some numbers if you got a chrono...   :) :)
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 24, 2018, 10:58:27 AM
Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas!
The finish is the worst part of bow building - it’s so close to being done, it looks so pretty, you want to play with it, but you can’t touch it.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 24, 2018, 10:58:52 AM
Roy wantin one now!!! LOL

Sure Kenny, make it 32# @ 28", just like Johns:)

LOL
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 24, 2018, 11:03:47 AM
I would bet that bow with a 10 grain arrow and a light string would be a fast shooter for its weight !
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Jwilliam on December 24, 2018, 01:12:50 PM
That sure did turn out nice John !!! Hopefully you bring it to Denton Hill and let me shoot a few arrows out of it.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 24, 2018, 01:28:00 PM
I dont care who you are curly just looks good   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 24, 2018, 06:38:03 PM
Looks nice John. Not as good as flat camo, but nice. Can't wait to shoot it.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 24, 2018, 10:16:49 PM
I won’t allow you to shoot it with a fixed crawl.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: wood carver 2 on December 24, 2018, 10:29:43 PM
Nice! The maple looks great.
Dave.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 25, 2018, 07:29:15 AM
I won’t allow you to shoot it with a fixed crawl.

Why not? You’ll be shooting it that way by then anyhow...
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 25, 2018, 07:45:39 AM
I was under the impression that you can't hurt the tiller of a glass bow by shooting 3 under or a fixed crawl or string walking?

It's never hurt my glass bows.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 25, 2018, 07:46:21 AM
It doesn’t. John is just being John.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 25, 2018, 07:57:03 AM
Ah Johns ok.

Dude sure can ride those ponies:)

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Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 25, 2018, 11:52:31 AM
Yeah, i’m just giving Dave grief about his new fancy way of shooting.

I like shooting from ponies  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 25, 2018, 12:48:30 PM
What he do, go over to the dark side?

LOL
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: canopyboy on December 25, 2018, 08:53:43 PM
There was a light side?
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 26, 2018, 06:09:58 AM
Ask cowboy John?

LOL
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 26, 2018, 09:59:05 AM
Yeee Hawww....Giddie up and fling them arrows as fast as you can instinctively  :laughing:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Pheonixarcher on December 28, 2018, 12:55:33 AM
Nice work, but you know the rules! We need pics. Strung, unstrung, and full draw please. Lol
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 28, 2018, 09:02:36 AM
Come on Paul..

It's been raining here in Pa and you know them glass bows melt in the rain:)
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 28, 2018, 11:21:06 AM
Last coat of finish is drying right now.  I'll be away from home for a couple days doing more family holiday chaos crap.  Sunday or Monday I'll have final pics posted.

Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on December 28, 2018, 11:54:26 AM
 :thumbsup:

I may get done before you do with my new babe... :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Pheonixarcher on December 28, 2018, 07:26:36 PM
Hahaha! Ok, ok, I’ll stop busting your chops.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 29, 2018, 02:24:06 PM
Bust away.  Believe me, i’d rather be playing with my bow than going to another Holiday party.  Last one for the season coming up in a couple hours, In-laws..... :banghead:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 29, 2018, 02:34:05 PM
Yer one lucky guy, John..

 :thumbsup:

 :thumbsup:

 :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on December 31, 2018, 08:28:52 PM
All done.  Here are the customary finished bow pics.

(http://i.imgur.com/gOt4URG.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/gOt4URG)

(http://i.imgur.com/YCrElZR.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/YCrElZR)

(http://i.imgur.com/bBk8Nb2.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/bBk8Nb2)

(http://i.imgur.com/mHG64lM.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/mHG64lM)

(http://i.imgur.com/RdxOrwU.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/RdxOrwU)

(http://i.imgur.com/Uq2ZIrG.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/Uq2ZIrG)

Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Forwardhandle on December 31, 2018, 08:44:49 PM
Looking good , love the Maple great job  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 31, 2018, 10:27:39 PM
That bow looks great.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Jwilliam on January 01, 2019, 01:30:47 AM
Boy that sure turned out nice John !!! Maybe you will let me shoot a few arrows outta it at Denton Hill next year.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 01, 2019, 04:26:29 AM
Very nice, John.

I love the looks of curly maple.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on January 01, 2019, 06:08:15 AM
Thanks guys.

Yeah Roy, curly maple is hard to beat. Easy to work, no irritating dust, and as pretty as any exotic out there. My Dad use to make muzzleloaders with it when I was a kid, so that has something to do with my fondness for it too.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 01, 2019, 06:26:50 AM
Yupper.

Of all the bows we have made in my shop, nothing beats curly maple looks for a riser..

My one bud gets all our curly maple at a sawmill up in Warren County..

(http://i.imgur.com/pxJhKDs.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pxJhKDs)
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on January 01, 2019, 08:12:36 AM
Really nice John!! I should try a leather grip again, yours looks great!

Let me know how it shoots for you after you've shot it a bit.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: jsweka on January 01, 2019, 08:33:22 AM
It shoots great Kenny.  I’ve been shooting 50-55 spine Douglas fir arrows out of it that I normally use in my straight Hill styles. I haven’t chronographed it, but it seems to shoot those arrows just as fas as my straight bows that are ~15 #s heavier. I’m shooting ~13 gpp with those logs, so it is definitely quiet and no handshock.  Gary Hall is making me up some carbons to try which should really add some speed.  I really like this design and will certainly be making more of them.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on January 01, 2019, 09:20:40 AM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

don't let Roy shoot it or he will stray to the more modern side.....

Grass is for mowing...  :laughing: Jus kiddin Roy!
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 01, 2019, 09:27:04 AM
Ya know somepin McKenzie?

It's only January 1st and yer already getten under my skin, boy:)
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: kennym on January 01, 2019, 09:39:19 AM
Mission accomplished  !  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 01, 2019, 09:41:54 AM
Might have to color them boots pink now:)

LOL
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 01, 2019, 09:44:38 AM
I know only one nerve and he is gettin on it.   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Pheonixarcher on January 01, 2019, 07:43:52 PM
Now we’re talking! Looks like a shooter! Great work.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 01, 2019, 08:27:40 PM
Yupper.

Of all the bows we have made in my shop, nothing beats curly maple looks for a riser..

My one bud gets all our curly maple at a sawmill up in Warren County..

(http://i.imgur.com/pxJhKDs.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pxJhKDs)
How did you get that riser part black. looks neat.
Title: Re: Curvy longbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 02, 2019, 05:53:25 AM
Stained the whole bow with alcohol based charcoal gray aniline dye.

Different woods take on a different color.