Here is the beginning

[Eastern fisher]

Well ladies and gentleman.  here is the start to my first bow.

[Gatekeeper]

What kind of wood are you using?

Good luck.

[B.O.D.]

looks like ash to me?
BD

[Eastern fisher]

Yep, it is Ash.  One of the only woods indiginous to Nova Scotia that I can use.  Hopefully this is not a problem?? Paul Comstock says it is ok, or do you guys jnow something I do not.  Now you got me nervous!!!

[B.O.D.]

Ash is good, just follow Paul's advice, you'll be fine.  

[John Scifres]

I've used ash a few times.  Here is a buildalong I did many years ago with it.    Ash Selfbow Buildalong  

Have fun.  Keep us informed.

John

[northern fisher]

Hey buddy
Looking forward to seeing this unfold.I got my fingers crossed for ya.
Gary

[Scotch]

Hey looks great.  You are a couple of weeks ahead of me on the same trip.  Good luck!  Can't wait to see more.

[Eastern fisher]

I cannot go too fast as I only split this stuff last weekend.  I split it, barked it and waited a week for the outside to dry enough to hold the lead.  I will wait another week or so and take some more off. I do not know if this is a kosher way of doing it but it seems to work.

[brettlandon]

Do you know someone who has a good moisture meeter?  If your wood is not dry enough your limbs could move and your pretty, straight limbs may not be straight anymore.  I built a bow dryer out of six inch vent pipe and two 200 watt heat bulbs and use this to gently drive the moisture out of the stave.  I'll take a couple of pictures and post them or send them to you.  My staves sit in a grain bin for six months to a year before I begin working on them.  Off to take pictures.  :rolleyes:  

-Brett

[EASTERNARCHER]

Fisher, This is from a green log?
Comstock recommends this?

[brettlandon]

Okay here are the specs and the pictures I promised you.  A six inch tee with a 2'extension, this is the chimney.  The two sides are 3' long each.  90 degree elbows with poly light fixtures attached below.  I cut slots in the ends of the elbows and trimmed every other one about one inch.  When I applied the caps (with the light fixtures attached) I compressed the longer ones arcing them outward.  This allows the air to draw up past the bulb(s) and across the stave and out the chimney.
I covered the top with insulation and used wire to hold it in place.  I built the cradle out of some old plywood I had laying around and put cheap casters on the bottom.  This picture shows the two 200 watt heat bulbs (you know, like for the bathroom) turned on.
Finally, I placed a meat thermoneter into the chimney to avoid over-cooking my staves.  This turned out to be unnecessary as the temperature never exceeds 120 degrees.
The bowdryer works by hot air passing over and around the wood and allows it to dry quicker than just air but this is NOT a kiln.  I check the stave daily and have not had to use this for longer than two weeks.  The total cost for the materials (not including the cradle) were around $35-40.  Anyway, hope this helps.    

-Brett

[Bjorn]

Keep us posted!

[Osagetree]

Never used ash, but I would think that 1 3/4" wide at the fades to 2" wide at the fades would be a good choice.  Just my opinion.

[Eastern fisher]

"""Fisher, This is from a green log?
Comstock recommends this?"""  

No he does not.  I am just impatient.  That is why I am taking it VVVVVEEEERRRRYYYY slow.  What you saw is as far as I am going to go until next month.  I HAD to see the outline on the stave.

[Eastern fisher]

Well.  The wood is dry and it was a great day outside so I went into my garage and worked on my first bow.  Remember that this IS my first and it is pretty basic.  Not finished either but it is a start.  I had to use my cell phone to take the picks.  No digital camera

[Ontario Longbow]

Hi EF,, Gary's friend Frank here,,So far she looks great,, best of luck,, can't wait to see the fruit of your labour. Any idea as to what weight she will end up at?,,All the best,,OL

[Eastern fisher]

Frank.  Haven't a clue yet.  I am going to try tillering today.  I am hoping for at 45-50lbs as we have to have 40 to shoot deer and 50 for moose in Nove Scotia.  I may send this one up to Northern fisher if it works and does not break.

[frassettor]

Good luck