HDF Form and 1st bow

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

Due to all the great ideas on this site I was encouraged to try my first bow ever.

Already to glue up
 

In no time at all it was ready for the oven.
 

I,like Kenny, have a similar shop foreman
 

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

Then the waiting began.  Upon removing the bow from the oven I saw my worst fear with the HDF form I made.
 

Luckily I think my bow had already set up by the time the form split.
 

The HDF form split at every metal bracket on the top section.  The inner two were not as bad as the outer two brackets
 

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

I thought the bottom section of the form was good.  I was wrong.  It too split between the center two brackets.
 
For as bad as the form is the bow appears to have come out fine.
 

I can't wait to start the finish work.  Thanks again to all the great people who post on this form who have given me the insperation and ideas.

[Aeronut]

That is a learning lesson on what not to use for bow forms.  Hope the bow did cure before the form gave up.

Keep us posted on the progress.  Looks good so far.

Dennis

[Mike Most]

I would have thought the angle you had on the bottom would have prevented that cracking on the bottom. WOW.... how many pounds of pressure in the air hose?

maybe a combination of pressure plus the heat??

Bow looks good though

Good Luck

Mike

[kennym]

Dang!!  Thanks for posting this! I had thought of using it on one,guess I won't now tho!

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

O.K. I got some more to come.  Mike, I had around 65 PSI at around 180.

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

Got the bow to ruff shape.

 

Added overlays to tips and riser.

 

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

shaped and sanded down tips and riser section.  I had some trouble with the tips (should have slowed down).  Luckily the relief cuts on the back side of the limb took care of the problem.  The tips appear a little fat, but I like them.
 
 
NOTE:these tips have not been finished.

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

Wrong picture in the last post, It should have been this one.
 
Sanded bow down some, strung it up and shot it.  Still needs some sanding and sealing.
 
 
 

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

Now I have a question?  what do you use to clean all the dust created from sanding down the bow before sealing it?

[Apex Predator]

Acetone, lacquer thinner, or de-natured alcohol on  a lint free rag, after knocking off the big stuff with a fox tail.

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

time for the last update.  I hung the bow and sprayed.
 
There are a few mistakes here and there, but I think it's pretty good for my first.
 
 
 
 
 

[IAOUTDOORSMAN]

For those wondering: the bow is brown fiberglass with black and tan phenolic overlays.  Limb cores are action-boo, and riser is desert camo coreflex superaction.  68" 60# @ 29 1/2".  I can't wait to build a GOOD form and try my hand at a nicer looking bow with nice looking lams and clear glass.  Again, Thanks to all those who have posted their build-alongs in the past.  The knowledge shared on this forum is unbelievable.  Keep it up, I'll be in the background reading.

[Dmaxshawn]

looks good.  I like the name.

[Trux Turning]

Good looking bow- I've always liked them with brown glass.

[Pennsyltuckey pete]

Nice Job!  My question,  Are you going to reproduce your form out of a different material or are you going to make a totally new design?  I guess my real question is "Are Ya Hooked?"

The first one always seems to lead to a second then a third then a...

Great job!

pete

[JEFF B]

well done      

[bjansen]

Nice job! great looking bow....its almost impossible to build just one!