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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Norush24 on December 11, 2020, 10:35:21 AM

Title: First time bow making questions
Post by: Norush24 on December 11, 2020, 10:35:21 AM
I am ready to try hand at making a bow, ideally would like to end up making a 3pc take down recurve. I have read a bit on here to gather as much info as I can. My main question is what it be biting off a bit much to attempt to make my own riser that can use say sage limbs to start? Or better off starting off with a blank R/D longbow from Kenny? Thank you guys for helping me tons already and I’m sure I’ll have many more questions in the future.
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: KenH on December 11, 2020, 11:04:11 AM
It's gonna depend in part on what tools you have and your experience with them.  Personally I would recommend starting with a one-piece design so you get the principles and practices of wood-glass bow-building mastered in the easiest way possible.
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: kennym on December 11, 2020, 11:32:00 AM
Without a good drilling jig, it can be aggravating to get limbs lined up, probably more so when the limb is finished already as you can't crowd the centerline over at tip to line up with riser center.

That said, it is doable for sure.  You may have to fill the alignment pin hole and drill a couple times to get limbs straight, or you may be lucky or good... :)
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 11, 2020, 12:28:00 PM
I would opt for the blank R/D longbow from Kenny for your first bow.

Learning to make a bow is hard enough let alone trying a takedown for your first try.

Give ole Kenny a call, he loves to chew the fat:)
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: Norush24 on December 11, 2020, 01:06:02 PM
Very much appreciated guys, long bow blank it is!
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: David Flanrey on December 11, 2020, 03:55:20 PM
Good decision.  I make a few bows and am still learning myself, but every three piece recurve I make is my last one.  LOL

Good luck.  Let us see what you do.  We all learn from one another.
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: Norush24 on December 11, 2020, 04:15:56 PM
Would grabbing a 2x4 section and practice making some grips and shelves be a decent idea?
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 11, 2020, 04:35:41 PM
Yes it would.
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: Mad Max on December 11, 2020, 06:36:01 PM
I would opt for the blank R/D longbow from Kenny for your first bow.

Learning to make a bow is hard enough let alone trying a takedown for your first try.

Give ole Kenny a call, he loves to chew the fat:)


x2
Title: Re: First time bow making questions
Post by: Autumnarcher on December 12, 2020, 05:42:31 PM
Would grabbing a 2x4 section and practice making some grips and shelves be a decent idea?

Yup, practice roughin out riser, doing the shelf or even making some shop jigs with some pine or other cheap lumber ya got laying around is time well spent. I made 4-5 risers and praciced doing the fades on pine before i glued up my first bow. Made the process much easier, got an idea of what tools i had that worked, and what else I needed. Good luck with your first build. Its an addiction once ya start.