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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 06:33:00 PM

Title: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 06:33:00 PM

Gang, here goes, I am going to try to post a build along of a youth bow that is very easy...this is my first build along, so hang with me here and we'll get through it!  I am not a great photographer so you'll have to use your imagination some, and if you have ANY questions, email or PM me, I'd be more than happy to answer them.  So now, without further "adoo"...

Equipment list:
two 48"X 1.5"x .25" red oak planks (home depot)
Wood glue
small band saw is helpfull
belt sander is helpfull
finish sandpaper
stain (optional)
finish
leather for handle (optional)
string

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2081.jpg)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 06:37:00 PM

Nets you are going to need to do some cutting...for this one I am stacking four 6" long pieces of the .25" board...math isn't my strong suit, but I think that is 1.25" total thickness for the handle.  These are 6" long and smack in the middle of the uncut slab.  Also, while you are at it, cut two 2" pices for tip reinforcement.
 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2084.jpg)

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2083.jpg)

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2087.jpg)

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2086.jpg)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 06:41:00 PM

Now it's time to glue everything together....I know, I know, in the equipment list I forgot clamps, so drag those out, line everything up and glue it together.  I'm using "great planes" wood glue and it seems to be similar to titebond 2, I just had some around because I am building a RC plane too.

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2087.jpg)

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2088.jpg)

IMG]http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2088.jpg[/IMG]

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2091.jpg)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 06:45:00 PM

Let the whole assembly sit overnight (or however long your glue of choice takes the set up properly), and now it's time to begin laying some lines out and planning the bow...these pictures really didn't turn out great, so put on you imaginary hats...

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2105.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2107.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2109.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2110.jpg

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 06:51:00 PM

That last shot is of the tip after I cut it on the band saw... so that's it for now, I am going to have to get back over to my Dad's workshop to use his belt sander to continue the project, so it may be a few days, but I hope you'll join me then.  Here are my dimensions so the pictures make a little more sense...tips are .5" wide, and the limb width fade begins 1.5" out from the riser.  This particular model is going to have an arrow shelf, which I haven't sone before, so we'll see how that comes out.  Length of the bow is 48", race height is somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6" and draw weight will probably come in at 10-15#, but I am just guessing there, as I am one of the po' folk out there who don't have a bow scale...So until next time,
Semper Fi

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Luke Vander Vennen on August 20, 2006, 07:05:00 PM

:)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Teacher_of_the_Arcane on August 20, 2006, 07:10:00 PM

Mr. Ninja,

I've got a bunch of Cub Scouts who might really like this project!!

Lobo in West Virginia

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: cdi3d on August 20, 2006, 07:47:00 PM

This is great - Keep it up -

Mike

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 08:09:00 PM

I realized I didn't post the pictures of the band saw cut rough out...here goes...

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2135.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2132.jpg

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2130.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2129.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2126.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2126.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2123.jpg  

   http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2121.jpg  


NOTE: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE EDIT YOUR ***LARGE*** IMAGES BEFORE POSTING!!!!!!!  Please keep images to around 600 pixels wide and no more.  The reason we ask this is to make posts easy to view and easy to download for folks on I'Net dialup.  It's so easy to edit images right in PhotoBucket.  Thanx.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 08:12:00 PM

Some of them you can see the grain, some just the cuts I made...but I still won't be able to get over the sand 'er down until later in the week, but the steps left to do are these:
Sand down, finish sand, make handle, stain (I'm going to use a nice mohawgany Minwax gel), finish and make a string.
Semper Fi

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 20, 2006, 08:13:00 PM

DANG!!! I forgot to size those last pictures....hang with me here folks!

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 26, 2006, 03:08:00 PM

Finished!  After about a half our on the belt sander the bow is really starting to take shape.  A finish sand and a coat of Minwax gel mahawgonny stain, its time to move on to the finishing touches.

  (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2139.jpg)

  http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2138.jpg[/IMG]

  (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2141.jpg)

  (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2142.jpg)

  (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2140.jpg)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 26, 2006, 03:13:00 PM

I skipped a few photo oportunities because they are covered else where on trad gang...I also glued a chunk of walnut onto the handle to extend the shelf a bit.  On the finished bow it's hardly noticable...shame because it was a nice chunk...

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2152.jpg)
This ends up being the arrow shelf and just happens to look like my home state if Idaho

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2150.jpg)
The grip, I used some scrap black "buckskin" I had laying around and I am not going to go into the construction of the grip because #1 it's covered elsewhere and #2 it's optional...
 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2151.jpg)

 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2157.jpg)
Final tiller, so to speak.
 (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/mmbackpacker/IMG_2155.jpg)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 26, 2006, 03:19:00 PM

So all in all, here's what we have come up with in the end.  A kid's/ youth bow that is fun and cheap and quick to make.  

Time:
cutting: 30 minutes
sanding: 30 minutes
stain and finish: 45 plus drying time
string: 15 minutes
handle and arrow rest: 45 minutes
total time: less than four hours plus drying time.

Cost:
Wood: $5
Glue: $5 (although the bow only used maybe 50        cents worth
leather: $5
String: $10
total cost less than $25 per bow

Hope you enjoyed the build along, but more than that, I hope that it inspired you to make one for some children you know and that it in turn inspres them to a lifelong enjoyment of archery.

Semper fi

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: tradtusker on August 26, 2006, 03:59:00 PM

cool thanks for sharing!

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: sar on August 26, 2006, 08:51:00 PM

Where'd you get the string?  
This is a cool project and I think I know a kid who might like one of these!

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: elk ninja on August 26, 2006, 11:40:00 PM

Made the string, 48", but there are some good string tutorials on the web, so I didn't cover it.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Buemaker on August 27, 2006, 07:40:00 AM

Very interesting, nice job.  Bue--.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: sar on October 01, 2006, 11:30:00 PM

what width is the riser cut to?  Looks around an inch?

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Bucket on October 02, 2006, 09:13:00 AM

Nice job. Any idea on a draw weight at length?

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: TexMex on October 02, 2006, 09:34:00 AM

Nice work. Ditto on the weight.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: jeanpaul3006 on October 02, 2006, 04:08:00 PM

i just finished one today, would guess the weight between 15 and 20 pounds, just have to play with the tillering, but was a fun project

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: sar on October 02, 2006, 05:31:00 PM

How wide is the riser?

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: jeanpaul3006 on October 02, 2006, 05:50:00 PM

made the riser one inch wide, having a hard time tillering first attempt at making a bow, where do you start removing material the side that has more of bend or the other?

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: sar on October 02, 2006, 08:47:00 PM

I would guess the other to make it more flexible.  
This is my first attempt as well though, so hopefully someone knowledgeble will come along.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Ham on October 02, 2006, 10:37:00 PM

You don't seem to be worried about grain.  Would a little drywall tape with Tightbond make this bow more durable?  Could a guy add a little to both sides of the handle section like you did with the little piece of walnut, and cut a shelf for both right and left hand shooters?  This looks like a design made for my first attempt, and it would be perfect for my grandsons!  Thanks!

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 03, 2006, 12:04:00 AM

EXCELLENT Build-Along!!  :scared:  Just Kidding, Thank You for Your Time and Effort with this!!  :campfire:    :archer:

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: uhdet on October 03, 2006, 10:00:00 AM

Do you think I could recurve the tips a little?

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: LoneWolf on October 03, 2006, 03:07:00 PM

Great turoial, going by Lowes tonight.  My wife may kill me for bulding another bow, but hey she will get over it.  May have to take her to Olive Garden, but she'll get over it.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: jeanpaul3006 on October 04, 2006, 09:51:00 AM

well this tillering stuff is beyond me, ended up shortening the tip by one inch and everything looks better now. not sure it's the right way, but my daughter is already shooting it quite well, thanks elkninja for a great build along tutorial, daughter thanks you to.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Texas Tinman on October 07, 2006, 05:57:00 PM

:bigsmyl:  

My wife just checked in on "Santa's Workshop"...I've got three in the glue-up stage right now!

Excellent post, thanks for passing the info along.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: sar on October 10, 2006, 11:58:00 PM

I gotta get me a bandsaw. I'm nearly worn out cutting one of these things to shape with a rasp and  plane!!!
Having fun though.  I should try to string it this weekend.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: byers wolfe on October 11, 2006, 01:56:00 AM

Good idea using 1/4" slats. I built a similar one a coupla years ago using a regular 3/4" thick redoak board, and guess what? After working down the limbs they were 1/4".  :knothead:  This is a much better design and less wasted wood.  Excellent job.   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: soopernate on October 17, 2006, 10:57:00 AM

After noticeing that the hickory bow I made for my son was a little too heavy, and also noticing what fun my little nephew had with the old "lil sioux" glass bow we have this weekend...TWO of these little beauties in the works.  Gonna make a couple nine year olds pretty excited.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Slingblade on October 21, 2006, 02:41:00 AM

I just finished building one and I also added the mesh drywall tape and a thin coat of fiberglass resin to the back of the bow to sorta bulletproof it for my 4 year old nephew.  Great design, thanks for sharing it with us.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Aram on October 22, 2006, 02:20:00 AM

Boise youdaman!!!   :bigsmyl:        :bigsmyl:    
...OK, I'm a bit slow... I know
Aram

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Texas Tinman on November 01, 2006, 09:12:00 PM

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/tinman5575/fulldraw1.jpg)

 (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/tinman5575/target.jpg)

Thanks again for posting this thread! My nephew (Liam-5) is really liking his "hunting" bow and hasn't touch his Lil' Brave since I finished one of these for him.

Not bad form for a 5 year old, hugh?  :)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Luke Vander Vennen on November 01, 2006, 09:15:00 PM

That could be one of the best pictures I've seen on here   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: ibohuntwhitetails on February 09, 2007, 08:39:00 PM

is that arrow shelf above center? does that effect the bow any? also can i get a pick of what you ahve done at the tips?

Thanks
Tom

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Osagetree on February 10, 2007, 08:49:00 AM

That would be great for getting young'ns envolved in archery!

This thread should go in the archives!

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: 3blades on August 11, 2008, 12:59:00 PM

Just finished this bow and what a great little bow it turned out for my oldest. Super fun and not too hard...
    (http://mason.gmu.edu/~pdonovan/My_pictures/Alex_bow1.jpg)

 (http://mason.gmu.edu/~pdonovan/My_pictures/Alex_bow2.jpg)

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: Buffalo John on January 06, 2013, 05:01:00 PM

Just found this post. Making 2 for neice and nephew.

Title: Re: EASY youth bow build along!
Post by: BRIARS on January 06, 2013, 05:10:00 PM

Wonder if they kids form is as good now as it was then. Looks like a natural to me. cool old post