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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Kirkll on March 30, 2026, 02:54:39 PM

Title: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on March 30, 2026, 02:54:39 PM
This thread is for you Rob. I've been saving this beautiful piece of walnut for quite some time, and couldn't think of anyone who would appreciate more...There is just something special about a book matched piece of wood of high quality.   feast your eyes on this my friend.

Let the build begin....

IMG_6327.jpg

IMG_6332.jpg

IMG_6330 (1).jpg

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Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Alexander Traditional on March 30, 2026, 07:00:13 PM
That is cool!!!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Pine on March 30, 2026, 07:16:39 PM
Gawjuss  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: ny state land on March 30, 2026, 08:34:24 PM
Kirk is a fantastic bowyer!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on March 30, 2026, 09:04:13 PM
Here are a few more before i start the millwork.

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Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Burnsie on March 31, 2026, 12:05:10 AM
Watching this one!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Rob DiStefano on March 31, 2026, 05:41:00 AM
In a word ........ WOW!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: David Mitchell on March 31, 2026, 10:50:08 AM
Oh...my...gosh that is gorgeous. :clapper:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on March 31, 2026, 01:31:31 PM
Overlay for limb pads,  and blind limb mount millwork complete. She is ready for limbs now.

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Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Bowsey Wails on March 31, 2026, 02:30:25 PM
Drink plenty of fluids, Rob. Don't want to dehydrate from drooling. :biglaugh:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Rob DiStefano on March 31, 2026, 03:29:53 PM
How cool is this?  Getting to see crafting a work of art in progress!  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Gordon Jabben on March 31, 2026, 08:52:01 PM
It's very cool :clapper: !!! :clapper:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Deno on April 01, 2026, 05:42:20 PM
AMAZING..... :clapper:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 01, 2026, 09:22:01 PM
Here's a few more photos of the limb millwork and lay up. I've also milled the full overlay components for the back of the riser to match the limbs. The second limb is in the form & cooking now.


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Tomorrow we get these limbs mounted on the riser.... Stay tuned...
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 02, 2026, 09:52:31 PM
Well she is looking like a bow in the rough now. My draw weight came in exactly where i want it, with some room for balancing the limbs and sanding. I've just posted a few pics here, but there are more in the build album if you would like to see how i got here.

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Here is the build album.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j3k393Pt6FjPR7296

Time for overlay madness to begin.




Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: STICKBENDER98 on April 03, 2026, 12:33:36 PM
That looks like it is going to be an absolute beauty!!!  I think I enjoy looking at all the home made tools and different things in your shop to build bows as much as I do the process.


Jason
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: elkken on April 04, 2026, 11:43:11 AM
This is very interesting to see how much hand work goes into building a bow. Enjoy seeing all the tools and steps that take raw wood and end up being a beautiful bow... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Hud on April 05, 2026, 02:55:18 AM
Fantastic!!  What are you using to keep the limbs in alignment.
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 05, 2026, 02:10:50 PM
Quote from: Hud on April 05, 2026, 02:55:18 AMFantastic!!  What are you using to keep the limbs in alignment.

Scroll up to post number 8 here and you can see the location pins that are embedded in the riser.
Drilling the holes on a vertical milling machine gives them perfect alignment. The limb butts are drilled with the same machine, and the limb bolt hole is oversized to allow for +or- tolerance for a threaded insert,  or in this case a T nut on the back of the limb that gets covered with an overlay.

But.... Even with the very precise millwork involved. These limbs can be off at the tips as much as a 1/4" sometimes, so i use a straight edge to layout the exact center, then paint the limb profile using a pattern.  Then i double check things using a string.... Lots of checks and balances here.

IMG_6378.jpg

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I've got the tip overlays done, but still have several more overlays to complete before i shape the riser.   Stay tuned and watch it play out here.

IMG_6395.jpg

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Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: MYSTIKBOW on April 06, 2026, 02:22:03 PM
That's gonna be P U R D Y !
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 06, 2026, 03:25:02 PM
The last bunch of photos is the OVerlay madness pics. I just added them to the build album here.
Just scroll down through the photos and click on them for a larger view.

After this back riser overy that matches the limbs cures out, only the finish overlay is left to do, and then we can start shaping the riser.... A lot of elbow grease needed in these full overlay designs.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j3k393Pt6FjPR7296

Stay tuned for updates... :goldtooth:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: smokin joe on April 07, 2026, 03:44:23 PM
Holy smokes, Kirk. That is just amazing to see.
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Pat B on April 07, 2026, 06:33:13 PM
Very nice work, Kirk. Thanks for posting the details. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 08, 2026, 03:12:28 PM
Her is the last overlay on this baby... It's a tricky one called a Double book match for the back of the riser and limb butts.  I've taken strips off the original book matched riser, and book matched these strips as an overlay on the riser.  What makes it tricky is keeping the centerline straight from point to
point and maintain the joinery so the joints are tight, and the grain matches perfectly. Seriously time consuming...

here are a couple photos to give you an idea how it goes together, and the finished overlay when done.

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I've added more pictures to the album showing how these went together too. Be sure and click on the photos in the album for higher quality photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j3k393Pt6FjPR7296
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Burnsie on April 08, 2026, 03:23:56 PM
Oh my! Rob and Terry are going to have beauty pageant for their bows - absolutely gorgeous.
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Bowsey Wails on April 08, 2026, 05:08:20 PM
An artist as well as a bowyer. Fantastic craftsmanship!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 10, 2026, 02:32:39 PM
Here is the finished product. I'm real happy with the clear coat on this one too.

I've also added a link to the build album with a bunch more finished photos below.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/j3k393Pt6FjPR7296

Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Alexander Traditional on April 10, 2026, 04:23:03 PM
That is really nice!!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Buemaker on April 10, 2026, 06:06:22 PM
Outstanding.
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 12, 2026, 07:04:03 AM
Just amazing!  Thank YOU Kirk!!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Terry Green on April 12, 2026, 10:35:26 AM
Burnside, I hear ya!

I'm going to get some pics of mine this afternoon.

Very beautiful Rob. Tell us the specs please sir.
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 12, 2026, 11:11:37 AM
64", 40@28, probably 42-43@29. 
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: ZBB on April 14, 2026, 12:07:13 PM
Quote from: Kirkll on April 05, 2026, 02:10:50 PM
Quote from: Hud on April 05, 2026, 02:55:18 AMFantastic!!  What are you using to keep the limbs in alignment.

Scroll up to post number 8 here and you can see the location pins that are embedded in the riser.
Drilling the holes on a vertical milling machine gives them perfect alignment. The limb butts are drilled with the same machine, and the limb bolt hole is oversized to allow for +or- tolerance for a threaded insert,  or in this case a T nut on the back of the limb that gets covered with an overlay.

But.... Even with the very precise millwork involved. These limbs can be off at the tips as much as a 1/4" sometimes, so i use a straight edge to layout the exact center, then paint the limb profile using a pattern.  Then i double check things using a string.... Lots of checks and balances here.

IMG_6378.jpg

IMG_6374.jpg

IMG_6375.jpg

IMG_6383.jpg


 

I've got the tip overlays done, but still have several more overlays to complete before i shape the riser.  Stay tuned and watch it play out here.

IMG_6395.jpg

IMG_6394.jpg

Are these just stainless T-nuts that you can get from a hardware store? I tried to post on your thread on the bowyers bench but didn't see where to post a reply, that's why I quoted this whole thing. Thanks.
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Pat B on April 14, 2026, 03:57:09 PM
Very nice work, Kirk. Rob's a lucky fellow.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: streamguy on April 14, 2026, 08:34:38 PM
I have 2 of Kirk's bows.  They perform even better than they look!
Rob will definitely enjoy it!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Kirkll on April 14, 2026, 10:01:34 PM
Quote from: ZBB on April 14, 2026, 12:07:13 PM
Quote from: Kirkll on April 05, 2026, 02:10:50 PM
Quote from: Hud on April 05, 2026, 02:55:18 AMFantastic!!  What are you using to keep the limbs in alignment.

Scroll up to post number 8 here and you can see the location pins that are embedded in the riser.
Drilling the holes on a vertical milling machine gives them perfect alignment. The limb butts are drilled with the same machine, and the limb bolt hole is oversized to allow for +or- tolerance for a threaded insert,  or in this case a T nut on the back of the limb that gets covered with an overlay.

But.... Even with the very precise millwork involved. These limbs can be off at the tips as much as a 1/4" sometimes, so i use a straight edge to layout the exact center, then paint the limb profile using a pattern.  Then i double check things using a string.... Lots of checks and balances here.

IMG_6378.jpg

IMG_6374.jpg

IMG_6375.jpg

IMG_6383.jpg


 

I've got the tip overlays done, but still have several more overlays to complete before i shape the riser.  Stay tuned and watch it play out here.

IMG_6395.jpg

IMG_6394.jpg

Are these just stainless T-nuts that you can get from a hardware store? I tried to post on your thread on the bowyers bench but didn't see where to post a reply, that's why I quoted this whole thing. Thanks.

They are not stainless, but stainless steel could be used. i believe these are just an alloy grade steel. They have horns on them, that are most commonly used for wood furniture assembly. i grind the barbs down flush before use.

I don't know what quality the "Hardware store" has... might want to check on that.

IMG_6549.jpg


 
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Terry Green on April 16, 2026, 09:13:51 AM
Let us know how it shoots Rob!
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Tajue17 on April 16, 2026, 07:46:19 PM
Rob not stealing the spotlight here but i really love his  hidden bolt design,, here's my SS..  after seeing that bow Rob I dont know I think I might need a longbow soon! 
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 18, 2026, 05:03:37 PM
Got the bow late yesterday afternoon, bolted on the limbs, spun up a test BCY 652 20s string (I requested that Kirk not bother sending a bowstring), braced the bow, center served with .019" Halo, added a nocking point.  3M d/s tape backed the shelf and plate material that Kirk had provided for me to test out, cut them to size and stuck 'em on.  Nice.  I used a digital force gauge to find the holding weight at 41.9lbs @ 28".  Perfect.  Test flew some 29" arrows - Dark Timber 600 carbons @ 505 grains and 462 grain Doug Fir 5/16" woodies, all were spot on for stable and Fast flight.  When time and weather permits I'll get in some 15 yard testing at the backyard range.  :)

A wonderful bow, thank you Kirk. 

Two thumbs up and a hearty recommendation to all to give a Flatliner Flush Mount a try.

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Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: Terry Green on April 22, 2026, 07:32:21 AM
That's really nice Rob!!!

I got rid of most of my creek curves over the last few years, and I'm now enjoying this Sasquatch recurve from Kirk also.

I'm gonna post up some pictures soon...
Title: Re: A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins
Post by: bigjohnmissalot on April 23, 2026, 05:35:19 PM
 :shaka:  :clapper: very nice.