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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: wapitishooter on February 26, 2019, 12:58:24 PM

Title: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on February 26, 2019, 12:58:24 PM: Ok getting close to finishing up on my bow. Question I have is do I need to round edges on limbs? If so how much does the back need more rounded or the belly? Its really tillering nice and shaping up nicely. Any help here appreciated
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Pat B on February 26, 2019, 01:16:19 PM: Always round over the edges mainly to prevent splinters from lifting but also I think it "softens" the appearance of the bow. The old timers used to say to round the edges to the radius of a pea, about 1/4". I usually take 3 good scrapes along the edge. One at about 45 degrees, one a bit more and one a bit less. With a good sanding over that I get a nice rounded edge, not 1/4" but not much less.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 26, 2019, 01:27:12 PM: What Pat said X's 2.

Also you should round over the edges before even starting the tiller bending process...
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Pat B on February 26, 2019, 04:52:52 PM: Yes! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on February 27, 2019, 07:40:25 AM: Thanks for replys I did not know should've rounded corners before tillering got lots to learn. Will this have hurt integrity of bow by not doing the rounding first?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: skeaterbait on February 27, 2019, 07:43:24 AM: As long as you didn't raise a splinter or spontaneously disassemble, you will be fine. Round the edges and recheck your tiller.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Pat B on February 27, 2019, 09:48:24 AM: It probably won't affect the tiller or the draw weight. The corners that are removed are dead weight anyway and not being utilized at all. I continually round the corners as the stave goes from stave form to bow as I remove wood. Mostly from the belly side but sometimes from the back if the edges are reduced or straightened. If you keep the edges rounded from the start you will have less chance of a splinter lifting.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on February 27, 2019, 01:22:02 PM: I rounded the edges this morning. Doesn't seem to have affected tiller. Next question is this, Checking draw weight it is 52lb at 22 in I really like to have around 45 lb at 28. should I just use scraper now or could I rasp some wood to get where I want. What do you guys suggest. My draw is 31 in my bow is 68 1/2 long.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: skeaterbait on February 27, 2019, 02:19:25 PM: I would suggest starting with the scraper and work with it a while. When you get a better feel for how much wood loss equates to how much weight you can ween in to a rasp. A rasp takes a lot of wood very quickly and it's quite easy to overshoot your target weight.

It's also suggested that you never pull the bow past your target weight, so if your target is 45# never pull past that. You won't really hurt the bow unless you go way over, but common practice is not to stress the wood over what you actually need it to do.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Pat B on February 27, 2019, 03:36:33 PM: I'd also suggest using a scraper from now on and start pulling to 45# as you head for full draw. That should insure you don't go too far.
I've been building wood bows for 30 years or so and once I started using a scraper exclusively from just beyond floor tiller stage my bent sticks have been bows. It slowed me down enough to help keep over doing things. A few scrapes, a little exercise, check tiller and weight and go back to scraping. I'm never in a rush to tiller a bow. I prefer to thoughtfully steer the bow to a well tillered full draw.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on February 28, 2019, 12:06:47 PM: Thanks again for info. I didn't know what the weight was until the day I posted,I just got a scale and checked it that day. Hopefully it wont ruin the bow for long haul. Lots to learn about bow building but so far really like it. Need to learn how to post pics.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 28, 2019, 01:03:12 PM: This link will help with posting pictures.

Be aware if using a cell phone for pictures, go into the camera settings and choose a very small format.

That info is further down in the link.

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=160865.0
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on March 03, 2019, 03:00:08 PM: Thanks for info on pictures will try this not real computer savvy
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on March 06, 2019, 09:29:59 AM: Ok guys been scraping limbs to try and get to desired weight Im now at 44 lbs at 24 in. I want to have this weight at 28. Now my draw is 31 and Im really starting to wonder if this bow will be ok to draw that far? Bow is 68 in nock to nock. What is your guys thoughts on this? limbs seem to be tillering nicely.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 06, 2019, 09:35:28 AM: 68 inches should be fine for a 31" draw.

Keep going, you need to lose 8 more pounds.

You gain approximately 2 pounds more per inch of draw.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Pat B on March 06, 2019, 09:55:27 AM: What Roy said. Keep tillering and pulling to 44# until you get to 28". If everything is OK with the tiller go out and shoot a few arrows trying to pull only 28". This may change the tiller some but you should have enough room to make the corrections.
Have you been exercising the bow between wood removal sessions? That is very important and helps to eliminate the break in period.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 06, 2019, 10:10:29 AM: X's 2 on Pat.

I exercise the bow 30 pulls, the same distance as you were on the tree after every wood removal session.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on March 06, 2019, 11:58:34 AM: Yes I exercise the bow after every wood removal no matter how little I think ive taken off. really appreciate the help guys. been working on it today and real close to weight. want to finish sand with orbital sander is this good idea or should I continue and finish byhand?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 06, 2019, 02:03:25 PM: Nope do not use the orbital sander.

It will put swirl marks in it and you will still have to hand sand to remove them.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Forwardhandle on March 06, 2019, 02:19:49 PM: I also have a 31" draw and have a couple self bows of hickory & a couple sinew backed shorter ones both the self bows are 68" ntn I do mine a little different then using the scraper when I get the bow to good tiller and heavy I scribe pencil lines all over the working limbs and use sanding sticks to remove the lines it's more time consuming but will get you to your draw at perfect weight & tiller I make sure I exsersise the bow frequently doing it !
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on March 07, 2019, 01:00:49 PM: Ok guys Ive shaped my riser although not finished sanding yet. My next question is when I cut in my arrow shelf how far in should I cut? If I cut center cut does that mean measure to center of limb and shape that in? How far do you guys suggest?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Forwardhandle on March 07, 2019, 03:06:33 PM: I have never made a center shot self bow but the rule I was taught buy one of the most exsperienced bowyers I know was to be safe ,the handle should be twice as thick as narrow Down to 3/4 " = 3/4" x 1 1/2" if going more narrow increase the thickness , I know guys have made off set handles bringing the arrow closer to center & still keeping the dimensions the same , maybe others could answer better !
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on March 12, 2019, 08:32:27 AM: I cut the shelf in yesterday and making string up today hopefully it will be a shooter :) we will see.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on March 20, 2019, 12:08:38 PM: We ll guys thanks again for all your help! Ive finished my first shooter and have put about 100 arrows thru it so far. Tiller isn't perfect but it shoots really well. No noticeable handshock and its 68in and draws right at 52 lb at my 31in draw. Im trying to find someone to help me put pics up cause I aint savvy enough lol.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: skeaterbait on March 21, 2019, 06:29:10 AM: Good to hear you got a shooter. I am looking forward to pics.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 21, 2019, 06:34:11 AM: Congrats on the shooter.

Picture posting, first thing is if using a cell phone for pictures.

Go into the camera settings and choose the lowest size setting there is.

Cell phones take huge pictures and they will time out when trying to upload to trad gang.

This link below will explain a lot about the trad gang format.

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=160865.0
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Forwardhandle on March 21, 2019, 06:43:12 AM: Congrats on a shooter looking forward to your pics particularly your cut in shelf :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on April 07, 2019, 12:57:59 PM: Hey guys I posted some pics on *********** under selfbow section. I cant seem to get them to post on here yet I am computer challenged to say the least. check them out tell me what ya think
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Wolftrail on April 11, 2019, 03:44:47 PM: Good luck with your new bow. Speaking about center shot does it make any diff cutting in a shelf 1/8" past center. I hear that it can affect arrow flight .... :dunno: I'm going to check out the pics on *********** under selfbow section.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 11, 2019, 03:54:44 PM: The closer to center shot a bow's shelf is cut, the easier to tune and a wider range of spine it will shoot.

But ya gotta be careful making the shelf area to narrow, there's a lot of stress put on that area.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Wolftrail on April 11, 2019, 04:08:22 PM: Tell me 'about it I broke one riser because of cutting it to far in. The bow was braced and I dropped it on a wooden deck. But I was able to repair it easy peasy, the break was right in the grip area.

"Hey guys I posted some pics on *********** under selfbow section" posted by wapitishooter. I cant find any selfbow section. Where is that..?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 11, 2019, 05:11:22 PM: Check your PM
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on April 12, 2019, 08:39:20 AM: don't know how to check pm?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 12, 2019, 09:16:28 AM: Up top put mouse cursor on my messages then click on read your message.
Then on next page click on the message I sent you.
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Crooked Stic on April 12, 2019, 03:25:17 PM: Mark beware now of PM harassment :laughing: :laughing:
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 12, 2019, 04:02:27 PM: And yer point is, sticky-pops?

:wavey:
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on April 13, 2019, 10:03:40 PM: I checked where you said theres nothing there roy?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 15, 2019, 04:26:35 AM: Can you email me the pictures?

[email protected]
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on April 16, 2019, 01:15:38 PM: Roy could you private message your phone number and I can text you some pics?
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 16, 2019, 01:29:01 PM: Done
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 19, 2019, 09:45:55 PM: Wapitishooter's hickory bow..

(http://i.imgur.com/n4DFsLI.jpg) (https://imgur.com/n4DFsLI)

(http://i.imgur.com/R0NOFCA.jpg) (https://imgur.com/R0NOFCA)

First 2 shots below from 12 yards.

(http://i.imgur.com/VYI9uCW.jpg) (https://imgur.com/VYI9uCW)

(http://i.imgur.com/4dXH4Ac.jpg) (https://imgur.com/4dXH4Ac)
Title: Re: Hickory board bow
Post by: wapitishooter on April 19, 2019, 10:22:27 PM: Thanks Roy for helping me out in posting these pics!