Last weekend was our annual "Town for Sale" town-wide yard sale. Since we were having friends over, we decided to take a walk around town to see what everybody had for sale, rather than hauling all our junk out to try and get rid of it.
At one of the houses my son Lee picked up an old recurve that someone was selling. I told him it was left-handed, but that I was keeping an eye out for a bow for him. (On a side note, I just bought him a Black Rhino longbow - should be here in a few days.)
I gave the bow a quick once-over, but put it right back when I saw that they were asking $35 for it. I did notice that it was an Indian Archery Warrior, and that the draw weight was 35#. I didn't notice any obvious problems with the bow - it just needed to be re-finished.
As we were walking around, I started thinking that it would be a decent bow to work on my form, and since it was pretty beat up, it would be great for bowfishing. So I gave my son $20 and sent him to see if they would let it go for $20 or less.
Lee came back home about 10 minutes later with the bow. He said the guy wouldn't go any lower than $20. As I was looking the bow over, I was thinking "now what am I going to do with this?" The finish was just about worn off on most of the riser, and it looked like it had been sitting in someone's garage for the past 20 years. But then, that's why I bought it - I wanted a bow that I wouldn't be afraid to bang around.
A few days later I saw a post on the PowWow about a 14 year old boy named Andy looking for a bow. He was looking for a left-handed bow of 30-35#s. So I posted that I had a bow that might fit his needs that I had just picked up at a yard sale. All I wanted for the bow was for him to pass it on to another young man or woman when he was done with it. I also told him that I would re-finish it for him.
Today I started sanding the bow down, getting it ready for a few coats of Tru-Oil. This is the first bow I'm re-finishing, so if anyone has any tips for me, feel free to post up. I'm also going to try my hand at radiusing the shelf a bit.
Before (notice the traditional White-Out sights?):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000701.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000703.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000704.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000705.jpg)
After an hour or so of sanding (all the time I had this afternoon)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000708.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000707.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000706.jpg)
Unfortunately, the pics don't really show just how bad this bow looked, and I didn't think to get any better pics before I started sanding.
I'll be posting some more pics as I work on this bow. I still have several hours of work just sanding it down. Hopefully when it's done, I'll be sending a nice bow off to Andy.
Hey, if Andy doesn't want it my 12 year old would love it. Let me know price if Andy gets something else or doesn't want it.
Chad
That will be a great bow for him, he'll have way more memories of you then the bow. You've extended your hand out to him, and I have a feeling he's going to feel your heart.
Carl
I'm jealous of this one. Looking for something exactly like this! A fine gesture, fyrfyter.
Back up, hoping Andy will see this.
I would like to add that Andy is a Life scout who is going to pass his old bows to me so that I can get some of the Cub Scouts from my Pack into archery. I just emailed him to tell him about this thread. Great kid!
Brian
I am Andy, and I love it! It's amazing. I can't possibly thank you enough, fyrfyter43!
Great job fyrfyter!!! :thumbsup: :archer:
Your a great guy Eric. How ya feeling? Send me a pm. Maybe we can get together this summer a do some shooting with our sons.
Glad you like it Andy. I'm hoping to have it ready to start rubbing in Tru-Oil by early next week.
Larry, sent you a PM...
Got it Eric sent one back to you.
Just saw this a great gesture Eric. That's the way the Trad Gang operates though. Great Stuff! Always try to make another Ganger Happy!
Way to go dude!
Last night I finished most of the sanding. I have a little more to do on the back of the lower limb, and I have to remove the glue from the velcro that was on the shelf, then finish sanding the sight window. Once that's done I'm going to radius the shelf slightly.
I'm going out of town for a few days, but hopefully by Monday I'll be ready to start finishing it.
Good on you! Great thing :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Nice looking bow! Enjoy! ;)
Very Nice Eric
How's it coming, Eric?
Must feel like Christmas Eve for ya, huh Andy?
Eric, man that is a wonderful gesture. I refinished a pretty beat up Bear for my neighbor's 14 year old son. Isn't it wonderful that when we bless someone with a gift, it is us who truly receive the blessing. Kudos on ya!
Quinn
Hey, Andy!
I have probably another hour or so of work before it's ready for finish.
I'm out of town for along weekend with my wife, so hopefully Monday I'll be able to get back to it.
great! I can't thank you enough Eric!
How ya doin Eric?
Eric, before you start to finish with tru-oil, you might try yourlocal gunshop, or order on line for spray tru-oil. Has hardener, dries quicker and leaves a beautiful shine, a can will do 2 bows easy. I have used it for years on gunstocks, I hand rub in the first 2-3 coats, wet sand with 600, then tack cloth and spray 2-3 coats after rubbing down with rubbing compound between coats and a tac cloth again. Did an older BW for a friend, turned out gorgeous. Hope this helps. Sam.
Hey Andy
Knew it was only a matter of time.
Good luck.
Kurt
Andy, I got held up a bit this week with work, but I'm hoping to start finishing tonight. I radiused the shelf the night before last. I need to take a pic or 2 to add to this thread.
If all goes well, I'm planning on shipping it out to you next Saturday. Just in time to help my son make up a dozen woodies for his new bow (after he gets home from Scout camp).
Funny thing, on the 13th I leave for a two week long trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Here are a couple more pics.
Slightly radiused shelf:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000734.jpg)
All cleaned up, ready for Tru-Oil:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000736.jpg)
Andy, I'll probably have it finished up by mid-week, but I'm going to order up a new string for it from Bobby Graham.
Send me a PM with your address. I'll try to get it to you before you leave for Philmont. If not, it'll be there when you get home.
bump
Andy, I got your PM.
Problem is, I won't be able to get it out before you leave for Philmont. I got a couple of runs in the Tru-Oil, so I had to let it dry for a couple days so I could sand them out. If these thunderstorms pass soon enough, I'm going to fix those runs tonight.
But the good news is that I got a new string from Bobby Graham in today's mail for your bow.
Still sounds great. It actually doesn't matter anymore whether or not ti comes before I leave for Philmont. I still do not have a usable armguard or glove. I am trying to get out to my "local" archery store. It is about a minimum of a half hour drive, and they have crappy hours.
Andy, for an arm guard look no farther than Mike G, one of TradGang's sponsors. I have one of his arm guards, with a matching quiver that I use all the time. I also had another one of his arm guards, but I passed it on to my son when I got the new one.
http://www.mikesarcheryleather.com/armguards.htm
Thanks for the tip, but I don't need something that nice. The main thing I want is for it to cover my entire forearm. I seem to have a big string-slap problem.
Andy
String slap on your lower arm by your wrist? or up high by you elbow?
If its down by your wrist, you might need to raise your brace height, you do that by taking the string off one end of your bow and twisting the string tighter.
If its up by your elbow/bicep its probably the way your holding/gripping the bow.
Kurt
It happens both ways. It is probably how I hold the bow. Last time I shot I got some nasty, nasty bruises.
Keep at it,rotate your elbow and don't squeeze the bow
ok, I'll try that.
How is it coming, Eric?
I have 3 coats of Tru-Oil on it now - hoping to finish it up this week and get it on its way to you so it's waiting when you get home from Philmont.
Hope you have a great time - it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
Andy, unfortunately I won't have it out to you before you get home from Philmont.
I should get it finished up this week and on its way.
i just got home not long ago. It was amazing!
Andrew, I got the bows you sent me. Thanks! It sounds like you had a great time at Philmont. I'd love to hear about it. Send me a PM if you want.
Brian
Andrew, glad to hear you had a good time at Philmont.
I should have the bow done by the end of the week so I can mail it out Saturday. I have 1, maybe 2 more coats to do. It's looking pretty good, but I did get some small pieces of dust/lint in the finish. Hopefully the last coat or 2 will cover them up. You really can't see them, but you can feel them, especially in the grip.
Okay cool
Oh Brian, did you like the quiver?
How's it comin'???
I'm still hoping to have it done by the weekend, but I'm not sure. Had some medical issues come up over the past few days, and I'll be having surgery on Monday.
If it's not done before Monday, I'll definitely be able to get it done next week while I'm home recovering.
I'm sorry to hear that. Wish you luck!
Thanks Andy! It's not really a big deal - just a quick procedure to repair a complication from a major (life-saving) procedure I had to have in March. But this comlication has really wreaked havoc on my life in the past 2 weeks.
I'm really sorry this has taken so long, but come hell or high water, I will get it out to you before the end of next week.
I just wish you good luck and a quick recovery. Surgery is not fun.
How are you feeling?
bump
I'm a little sore right now, simply because of the surgery. But all went well and I returned to work today.
I think 1 more coat will finish up your bow. Then I just have to put some velcro on the shelf and string her up. Maybe add some wool yarn to quiet it down a bit.
Unless something goes really wrong, I should be able to get it in the mail before I leave on vacation Saturday morning.
Glad you're feeling good, and can't wait to shoot the bow!
If you are home now, how was your vacation? And where did you go?
Hey Andy!
Sorry I wasn't able to get the bow out to you before I left. I just flat out ran out of time before we went away.
I will definitely finish it up and get it out to you by the end of the week.
We went to Ocean City, MD. The kids had a good time, but it is just way too crowded for me.
Man, this sure was a long time coming, but it's finally just about done.
I made up some wool silencers tonight to go with the string I got from Bobby.
Tomorrow I'll be putting some velcro on the shelf and running to Home Depot to see if I can get a carpet tube to ship it in. I also have to take a few pics for the 'gang, and maybe fling a few arras. :bigsmyl: Then she'll be on her way.
I should be mailing it out on Thursday. With any luck Andy will have it Saturday.
Thanks a ton! I really appreciate this, and can't wait to shoot it!
No problem - that's what TradGang is all about. I'm just really sorry it took this long to get it done.
I need pictures!I've been waiting to see this bow finished. :thumbsup:
Well, it's finally done!
This has been alot of fun, and I've learned quite a bit about refinishing a bow. I made a few mistakes on this one, and it could have come out a little bit better. But overall, I'm pretty happy with it. Hopefully Andrew will also be happy with it.
I shot about a half dozen arrows out of it this afternoon. It's hard to have an opinion about the bow since it's the first (and only) recurve I've ever shot, and a much lighter draw weight than I'm used to. But I have to say that my silencing efforts sure did pay off. Before I started, it had some pretty bad string slap. Now it's probably the quietest bow I've ever heard.
I found a piece of PVC at my parents' house to ship it in. If I get home early enough tomorrow to get it packed up, it'll go out then. If not, I'll send the kids to the post office with it Friday morning.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000777.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000778.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000785.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000779.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000780.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000786.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/fyrfyter43/S5000787.jpg)
LOOKS GREAT!!!! I am sure he will love it.
:archer:
That bow looks great Eric! Nice job. Andrew will be very happy with that bow. Thanks for helping him out. He is a great Scout who donated his old bows to my Cub Scouts. Thanks to you both!
Brian
Hope you're feeling better!
Great Job Eric! Good for you and Andy!
TTT for Andy!
Nice bow !
Great Job Eric. Have fun with it Andy
very well done!<><
Well done Grasshopper
It's gorgeous! I couldn't possibly have found anything better. I can't wait to shoot it!
Andrew, I didn't make it to the post office this afternoon, but I will have my son walk down there in the morning. If you don't get it Saturday, it should definitely be there Monday. Tell your folks not to be worried when the mailman delivers a 6' long piece of PVC pipe!
Great Job Eric!!
Andrew, how's that bow working out for you?
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer: