Well after seeing Bernie's build along I decided to bite the bullet and try building a selfbow. :) I have looked at those great bows you guys have built over the years and knew one day I would have to see if I could do it.Although I have built right many other type bows over the years the thought of all the work in a selfbow and not haveing any glass or boo between it and the world has been a bit scary. :scared: I got a stave from 2Fletch to try one.(thanks Don) It about whipped me a few times learning to deal with knots and twist for the first time.I spent more time with a heat gun on this thing getting the string to move 6" to get over the grip than any bow I have ever built. :bigsmyl:
(http://funhunts.homestead.com/selbow01.jpg)
I have to run to work now but will post one more picture of it bending before I go.Not quite full draw as I was fussing at my wife to hurry up with the camera and things did not work just right.It was still 100 degrees and we won't doing many retakes. :D
(http://funhunts.homestead.com/selfbow09.jpg)
Looks pretty good. How long did that take. Hap
Nice looking bow! Well done! ;)
That bow looks really good!
Proverbial hat's off to ya, Sir!
Very Nice. Well done
Good job!!
Great job on the tiller, Are those antler tips? Very nice looking bow.
John
Great job :thumbsup: :notworthy:
AWESOME!
Ray ;)
Nice job! Looks great.
Nice work!
Cool. I'm looking forward to making one this year!!!
Sweet bow James! Really like the tips. What are the specs?
Good looking bow! :thumbsup:
Thanks guys! Yeah I used some deer antler on the tips.I will have to get back with the specs after I find a tape measure. :D I just built it as long as the piece of wood I had.I have not weighed it either.I usually just work on a bow untill it gets to a weight that feels good.This one feels a couple pounds heavy still so should be around about 50-52 at 27 or so. I don't worry about a few pounds one way or the other as long as they shoot.Our min for hunting here is 40lbs and you can always tell when you get lighter than that. ;)
Here is a few more pictures if interested.I did not want to post them and load the thread up with pictures so just stuck them on a blank webpage.
http://funhunts.homestead.com/firstsb.html
ok just checked the specs.68"AMO 52@27" :)
It sure does look like a fun shooter.
Nice Job! I am still messing with the stave I bought of of Horatio last year. Bringing me a new apreciation for power tools. Draw knife and some rasps are all I have been using.
James, I am in the process of making my first bow out of vine maple. Your bow is certainly an encouragement for me. How many have you built? You definitely do nice work!
I am just taking it slow on this stave. Especially since I don't have a band saw!
Snag counting this one..ONE. :)
I planed on useing no power tools on this one but the sapwood was 3/4" thick and so hard we bent a draw knife trying to scratch it.After two days of messing with it and no luck I used a bandsaw to hog a lot of it off the stave. :) The rest I did with draw knife,rasp and cabnite scraper.Mostly scraper is the reason it took so long.I knew if I broke out the sander I would screw it so.Hard to screw up with a scraper because things go so slow.I like makeing those little curls anyway and all the blisters on my hands healed up nice. :bigsmyl:
James neglected to tell you he PM'd me a link to look at the pics before posting them - and had the gall to tell me it was all my fault - LOL
After i looked at the pics (more than just here) I told him I was not only glad it was all my fault, I was PROUD it was all my fault. Ya done danged good, James, and I'd be willing to bet you aren't giving it full credit (trying to sandbag all yer shootin' buddies again, ain't cha? :D )
Thanks Bernie.I will let you touch this one if you want to. ;) Of course it might be taller than you are. :biglaugh:
Awesome job James. I keep eyeballin my stave over in the corner. It's gonna take some serious heat bending, and it kinda intimidates me!
real nice bow james. you done good for ya first selfbow
Well ber643 we all have to get our inspiration and guidance from somewhere. Nice to see you did such a good job of inspiring James!
That's a little intimidating to think that is your first try James!!! I will definitely be using JUST hand tools and taking it slow! I can mess up things real fast when I have something in my hand that is plugged into a wall!
Yep....its official. Another candidate for the SAA. Total addiction.....whats a bowyer to do. Awesome job James...hope this if the "ONE" of many many more. After all, we have to have something to talk about at the meeting????? :pray:
Now just because I have an osage stave,two hickorys and a hornbeam sitting here don't mean I am ever going to make a bow from them. :D Might not never build another one. :biglaugh:
great looking bow!
QuoteOriginally posted by James Wrenn:
Might not never build another one.
Good luck with that James. Fine first (of many) selfbow. You did real good!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I just saw your bow James and it looks great. You did well.
I haven't made a bow now for about 11 years. (I cut the osage, hickory, hornbeam, etc., but then got busy and haven't gotten back to it.) I'm just about inspired to get back to building one. There's nothing like that first few shots out of a newly built bow.