Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: EvilDogBeast on January 22, 2024, 03:35:24 PM
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READ ALL OF THE RULES BEFORE SIGNING UP!!!
While I do ask that you consider waiting until a future swap if you have not built a shootable bow before, the Bow Swap IS open to all levels of bowyers. Your goal in entering the swap should be to challenge yourself and pour your heart and soul into making a bow for your recipient by the deadline. It SHOULD NOT focus primarily on scoring a sweet bow for yourself.
By signing up for the 2024 TradGang Annual Bow Swap, you are entering into an agreement with the other participants that you will abide by ALL rules posted below.
Furthermore, you are committing to deliver a bow to your recipient (hereafter referred to as ‘victim’) by the due date. We hold all participants to the highest standard in that they will take their obligation seriously and have a plan in place to account for unexpected life events. **If you have ANY reservations about your ability to fulfill this commitment, we ask that you please do not sign up.**
One of the most exciting parts of the Annual Bow Swap is seeing the progress of everyone's build. By signing up, you are committing to post your progress verbally or with a picture AT LEAST once every seven (7) days (even if it is to say you are waiting on something or you could not work on the bow this week because _____). If you forget, I will text or call you to remind you. I feel this is a minimal requirement that will also help keep people on track. We had a great swap last year, let's keep it up!
IF YOU’RE STILL ONBOARD:
Good! Sign up by posting in this thread and please list the following information:
- Your draw length
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range
- Right or left-handed
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade
If you are making a glass bow and want glass in return, or making wood and want wood in return, please note as much. Posted preferences on bow type (longbow, recurve, etc.) will be considered, but ARE NOT recommended or guaranteed. Build plans sometimes change mid-swap, and my primary objective is to match material types (if requested).
Once you’ve signed up, PM me your:
- Shipping address
- A good phone number
- An email address to reach you at if anything comes up
ALL PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT PRIVATE
Signups are now open for roughly two weeks, closing 2 February at midnight (EST). I will PM your victim's information no later than midnight (EST) 4 February. If you need additional info on your victim, PM me and I will gather it for you, so you do not have to worry about tipping your hand.
***Note - As always, if there are not enough people signing up this year, I reserve the right to call it off. I am hoping we can get at least 8-10 people to make this interesting.
DEADLINE:
You have four months to get your bow shipped; the shipping deadline is Friday, 31 May. Remember not to wait until the end because: (a) everyone likes to see bows getting delivered early, (b) lots of stories of bows that did not make it to the finish line and a plan B (or beyond) was required, and (c) we all get curveballs in life we have to work around. Develop a backup plan in advance!
GRACE PERIOD:
There will be a 21-day grace period after the shipping deadline (Saturday, 22 June). During these 21 days (and hopefully prior), I expect you to be in constant communication with myself as well the larger forum regarding your progress. If we do not hear from you, I will be persistent in attempts to reach you for updates. Any bowyers who do not ship by the end of the grace period will be asked to forward the bow they received directly to their victim.
***Note - Again, there is no distinction in the deadline this year for newbies, and no holding of bows until newbie ships. (I do reserve the right to tell a bowyer to hold a bow if I start to worry about progress by their victim.)
COMMUNICATION:
The only way this annual swap is going to stay alive is through good communication by ALL participants. A lot can be forgiven and worked out with good communication. Keep us up to date on your progress in the Progress Thread. That is half the fun of the swap and a significant requirement. If you need assistance posting pictures, please reach out to ask someone for assistance. I can provide you with a guide made of screenshots to get you up to speed. Reach out to me at any time if you have concerns, have come up with problems, have an emergency, etc. The Gang here on the Bench is a helpful and generous group if you share what is going on and ask for help. Unfortunately, there is also little patience left for people who just stop communicating when they fall behind, and I will leverage all available resources to prevent this swap from going past the grace period.
UPON RECEIPT:
You must post some pictures. Your bowyer may post the most beautiful pictures in the history of bow porn prior to shipping, but that does not remove your responsibility to post at least one full draw picture with your new bow. If necessary, contact me for any assistance needed with getting your pictures taken and posted.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Same as prior years: To keep it as honest as possible, no one who has signed up to TradGang after the date and time of this post can enter.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
I understand that not a lot of people like the idea of signing up for a big shipping bill, but it's not much fun if only one person says they're willing to ship internationally and the international victim pretty much knows who's building their bow. Therefore, I am going to assign victims without consideration of where they live at first. For those that end up with an overseas victim, I will reach out to you and make sure you're willing to make a bow that can be shipped (i.e. a takedown of some sort.) As for the shipping costs, there are several people on the bench who are willing to help cover the cost above and beyond domestic shipping and I will work that with you directly. If you are willing to help with the costs, please PM me and we will work it out as needed when the time comes.
***DISCLAIMER - By signing up, you are agreeing that anyone who receives a bow in this trade, including yourself, is doing so at his/her own risk and in no way can hold anyone (including TradGang itself) responsible should a misfortune occur due to the possession or use of said bow.
With that said...
IT’S GO TIME!
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Please send me the requested items after you sign up. I had to chase a lot of people down last year.
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I'll be in, I have a lot of scrap lumber...
- Your draw length---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------28"
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range-----------------------------------------------------------40-48
- Right or left-handed------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ right handed
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade------------------glass
- What kind of bow -glass-self-trilam -------------------------------------------------------------------------any
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Mike Miller(Crooked Stic)
35-45 @28 right handed
Prefer glass backed.
I will build glass 3 piece longbow in return.
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I'm in.
Derek DiRuzza with DiRuzza's Custom Bows.
- Your draw length---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------31"
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range-----------------------------------------------------------42-52@28
- Right or left-handed------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ right handed
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade------------------glass
- What kind of bow -glass-self-trilam -------------------------------------------------------------------------preferred glass bow
I'll build a 3 piece longbow in 60-64 length, 15 or 17 riser. My swap person can pick. Doesn't make a difference to me! So excited to do this and see what someone comes up with. I've been waiting to see this thread pop open, as I only saw the tail end of it last year.
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Jon Lipovac
31" draw
42-52@31
right handed
I'll build a glass takedown recurve or a glass one-piece longbow
Prefer a glass or any laminated bow in return
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I’m in, looking forward to this all winter.
Draw Length - 28
Draw weight - 42-50
Right Hand
I will build a glass bow ( building a one piece recurve, unless 3 piece specifically requested)
Prefer any glass bow but happy to accept any.
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- Your draw length - 27"
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range - 45-55#
- Right or left-handed - Right Handed
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade - I'll be building an osage selfbow - No Preference on what I receive.
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been excited for this to pop up eventually. Glad theres already attention to the thread.
Dylan Beaver
Draw: 30"
weight: 45-55
right hand
Building a one piece glass bow and would be happy to receive anything
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I'm thinking this one over... It's been awhile for me.
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I didn’t do any bow trades last year and am thinking strongly on joining in this year. I just need to figure out if I’ll be able to meet the deadline this year. If I’m able to join in I’ll be making either a selfbow of some kind or a bamboo backed something.
Kyle
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Question: I haven't been part of a bow swap for many years, and am wondering if building a new prototype would be acceptable?
I always wanted to try building a 3 piece TD, All wood long bow, and am thinking bamboo backed/ Ipe or hickory belly with flush limb pockets. Would something of this nature be acceptable? i would most likely use this Flatliner design.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EGqZ2YLhgKvXyKgc7
Thanks.... Kirk
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I would not have any problem accepting any bow you want to submit, Kirk. It goes without saying it would be an exceptional build, IMO. I don’t think there’s any rules on what we can build?
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Question: I haven't been part of a bow swap for many years, and am wondering if building a new prototype would be acceptable?
I always wanted to try building a 3 piece TD, All wood long bow, and am thinking bamboo backed/ Ipe or hickory belly with flush limb pockets. Would something of this nature be acceptable? i would most likely use this Flatliner design.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EGqZ2YLhgKvXyKgc7
Thanks.... Kirk
Hitting the draw weight on a prototype could be a problem :dunno:
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I would not have any problem accepting any bow you want to submit, Kirk. It goes without saying it would be an exceptional build, IMO. I don’t think there’s any rules on what we can build?
I second Noah on this.
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[[/quote]
Hitting the draw weight on a prototype could be a problem :dunno:
[/quote]
Hitting draw weight on anything has been a problem for me lately. :dunno: :dunno: I'm on a bad roll here for some reason and still adding more 70-80# limbs to my inventory... At least with all wood i'm not wasting glass.... Just a thought...
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You're good to build whatever you like Kirkll. Prototyping, innovation, and new ideas are encouraged in the swap! Challenging yourself to try things you otherwise wouldn't, and improving as a bowyer because of it, was one of the original goals of the annual bow swap.
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And don't worry Kirk should I get you for a victim I would not______put any pink in your bow :laughing: :laughing:
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Well…. Let me give this some more thought before I commit.
I really don’t need another bow in return, or want a swap per se, and may decide to try something different like a pass around bow. Build something, test it myself, then get a list of archers and bowyers that want to shoot it themselves, do a review , and pass it on.
Call it a prototype field test. ….. just thinking out loud here…. Kirk
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Is it looking like we are gonna hit the required bodies needed for the swap?
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I'll run it at 7, but 8 and above is always preferred. More bowyers makes it harder for people to figure out who's building for who.
Edit: It would have to be pretty low turnout for me to call it off. Those who have signed up so far can rest easy and safely begin prep.
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I'm about 2/3 done so that's a good deal... :laughing: :laughing:
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I'm about 2/3 done so that's a good deal... :laughing: :laughing:
How can you be 2/3 done if you don’t know who you are building for?
Ok…. Count me in… I’ll be building a prototype all wood limb, 3 pc long bow with the option of using glass backing if I fail miserably…
The challenge will be shifting wedges and taper rates to spread the stored energy out far enough along the full length of the limb rather than a short working limb I typically prefer using glass…. If I blow up 3 sets of limbs, I reserve the right to revert to composite backing.
In return… i would prefer an all wood bow, or self bow in the 45-50# @ 30” draw length…….
If we have an odd number of participants, I don’t really need one in return. I’ll build something in the 45-50# range and you can do a drawing for which participant gets my entry bow.
Will that work?
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2/3 is figuring out the wood combo, the rest is cake. :laughing: :laughing:
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Kenny you mentioned a big scrap pile so your cake may be very favorable :bigsmyl:
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I have a lot of junk scrap, but may use the good stuff this year...maybe :biglaugh:
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This may be the riser material for my victim whoever it may be.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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Man that blue is nice! I think I may use that Myrtle Kirk just sold me on the limbs… unsure if something better will catch my eye
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That is quartersawen Sycamore. Stabilized that finished kinda turquious
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If we have an odd number of participants, I don’t really need one in return. I’ll build something in the 45-50# range and you can do a drawing for which participant gets my entry bow.
Will that work?
Absolutely! Since everyone builds one, everyone receives one regardless of number. We will get you taken care of!
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It’s been awhile, I’m in.
28”, 40-50#, RH, 3U
I’ll be making glass, probably a one piece LB but I reserve the right to try something new. I’m good with anything in return.
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Guess I’ll sign up. I’ll build a glass bow of some sort. I’d prefer a glass bow in trade 50 to 55 pounds at 31” right handed. If it comes in a light that’s fine.
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I'll join again!
40-50lbs, I'm not picky at all if it misses weight.
29" draw
RH
Making Glass, prefer glass
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Ok, I'm in this year. I have not done a swap for a long time and don't make many bows anymore, but the company is too good this year, and I need a reason to make one and represent the selfbow guys with John.
I will be making an osage selfbow.
Id like a bow around 30 pounds at 24 inches for my girlfriend to learn on, or something around 55 at 26 for me. Honestly, anything from 25 to 65 at 26 is ok with me. I also don't care where I ship to. :shaka:
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Starting to get excited about this after missing the last couple years. Shaping up to be a good swap!
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I'm amped up! Made a pre swap bow last week to make sure everything's in order. Feeling confident about my finishing techniques and happy to provide a sweet bow for someone.
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Can we post fake misleading pix so it's a surprise when the victim receives it? :laughing: :laughing:
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Kenny you may be a K_niver :biglaugh:
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I haven't played in several years. With that said count me in. I will build a 3pc recurve or longbow probably with colored glass.
I am RH 45-55 # 28"@ and will be happy with any type of bow in return.
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Okay, one squarehead signing up.
Draw lenght 29 inches
Draw weight 35-40 ish
Right handed
Will be making a laminated bow of natural materials. The reason I do not specify more is that it will depend some of my victim,s draw lenght.
Any type of bow in return is okay.
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Yah Bue, I've seen you contribute a ton on this site happy to see ya on board!
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I may as well go ahead and sign up. I’ve been on the fence, but I havnt built any bows in a bit. I’ve been focusing on leather work lately and want to make some wood bend.
draw length 27”
50-70# right hand.
I’m not picky on weight heavier or lighter is fin.. I will be building either a selfbow or bamboo backed, I’ll pick the wood for sure when I dig through my stash. I’m happy receiving anything I can add to my hoard.
Kyle
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Well, I've been on the fence. Mainly because I've had deadline problems in the past due to much of my work being done outdoors. But I've solved much of those problems so I'll jump in.
- Your draw length: 28" AMO
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range: 35 to 50 not over 50
- Right or left-handed: RH
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade: I'll be building glass and "Hillish"
I'm not particular about what I receive. Happy with anything.
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Ok, I’ve pondered on this long enough, it’s time to run with the big dogs. Count me in.
DL~28”
DW~50-55#
Right hand
Building a one piece longbow, prefer a glass bow in return but would gladly accept any type.
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I see y'all are gonna make me work this year :laughing:
Glad to see so many signed up, along with some returning veterans! Closing thread in two hours. Get in while you can! :campfire:
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We all need to be happy just to have someone (You ) to keep this yearly thing going Thanks.
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I am getting in this year...
looks like it will be fun.
- Your draw length--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------27"
- Desired draw weight within a 5-10 pound range-----------------------------------------------------------38-48
- Right or left-handed------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ right handed
- Whether you will be building a glass, wood, one piece, or takedown bow for the trade------------------glass/take down
- What kind of bow ..either recurve or longbow..
Vince..
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Changing the post title slipped my mind last night, but I'm not going to say no to Vince :laughing:
----------------------------Drawing the line----------------------------------------------------------
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Well this should be fun, as I haven’t gone into mad scientist mode for quite some time, boldly going where I’ve never gone before…
Ive got some new materials I’m going to run through the paces with, and push it till she blows, then back off a bit for the finished product. I’ll try and get the fireworks on video for your entertainment.
We are going to see how far I can push this bad ass bamboo I’ve been playing with for awhile now…. :biglaugh:
Kirk