A long bow for Rob DiStefano begins

[Kirkll]

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...

[smokin joe]

Holy smokes, Kirk. That is just amazing to see.

[Pat B]

Very nice work, Kirk. Thanks for posting the details. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. 

[Kirkll]

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.









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

[Burnsie]

Oh my! Rob and Terry are going to have beauty pageant for their bows - absolutely gorgeous.

[Bowsey Wails]

An artist as well as a bowyer. Fantastic craftsmanship!

[Kirkll]

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.











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

[Alexander Traditional]

That is really nice!!

[Buemaker]

Outstanding.

[Rob DiStefano]

Just amazing!  Thank YOU Kirk!!

[Terry Green]

Burnside, I hear ya!

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

Very beautiful Rob. Tell us the specs please sir.

[Rob DiStefano]

64", 40@28, probably 42-43@29. 

[ZBB]

Fantastic!!  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.










 

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.

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.

[Pat B]

Very nice work, Kirk. Rob's a lucky fellow. 

[streamguy]

I have 2 of Kirk's bows.  They perform even better than they look!
Rob will definitely enjoy it!

[Kirkll]

Fantastic!!  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.










 

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.

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.




 

[Terry Green]

Let us know how it shoots Rob!

[Tajue17]

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! 

[Rob DiStefano]

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.

[Terry Green]

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...