BBO question

[Knawbone]

I'm building a BBO from a board, but I'm not sure of the best way to do it without compromizing the wood. should I use dry heat and cull or ?. Wood is well dryed. Thanks for any help

[Knawbone]

I guess I didn't put anough info in my question, Could anyone tell me the best way to put some reflex/ deflex in the board. Thanks for any help. Bone

[PEARL DRUMS]

My way is "wrong", but works until I build a form. I put a 2.5" block dead center, 6" blocks on the tips. I clamp the center down solid with one clamp, next I go half way up each limb and ratchet my clamp down until the core hits my bench, that puts 6" of reflex in with 2.5" defelx. Then I stagger spring clamps every 2" over the entire length of the blank. Its wrong, breaks rules and works for me!

[PEARL DRUMS]

One more thing, I plane my core to 1/2 or 5/8 thick first, otherwise it doesnt like to bend much. I use the same method to glue just reflex in also. But a form is my next build, maybe this weekend.

[Mt. Clemens Bowyer]

Knawbone.   I have only built fiberglass bows at this point in time. But, I have read in "The Traditional Bowyers Bible" (Volume Two) a chapter on all wood recurves written by Jim HAMM that explains the procedure of using boiling water, and an apparatus for recurving tips on a wooden bow. The device is home made. I would guess the same could be done to add deflex to all wood bows also.      I have bought all 4 volumes of this excellent work written by many of the great Bowyers of our time. I would recommend highly, for anyone to buy these, for their collection of fine books on the art of bowyering.     Also, you can go to any public library in the county of your state, and order these books for loan. Before the recession hit, you could order books from anywhere in the United States of America.   Good luck on your bows.        John

[John Scifres]

Pearl Drums method is pretty much how it is done.  You can get fancy or primitive but there is no pre-bending of the core or the backing generally with composites.  You glue in the reflex/deflex.

[Knawbone]

Thanks again, John S., John, and Drums, I appreciate the help greatly. God bless, Bone

[Bruce Martin]

A great reference for the method described is Dean Torges' "Hunting the bamboo backed bow". It takes you through the whole process, including tapering the slat for better bending. As others have said, it is simple but it works great. Very flexible (no pun intended) method to glue up variable r/d or straight-limbed backed bows.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have heard nothing but good about Dean's dvd, or book. My buddy Roy from PA follows the recipe to a "T" and puts out some real nice BBO's. I plan on buying the dvd soon.

[Knawbone]

Thanks Guys, ya I have Deans book Hunting The Osage Bow, but it didn't cover this subject.

[John Scifres]

Knawbone, really do yourself a favor and get Dean's video too.  It's called "Hunting the Bamboo Backed Bow" and can be had at  www.bowyersedge.com.   I think he even won some fancy schmancy award with it.  It will help you make a great BBO first time out.

[Roy from Pa]

Yup, buy the DVD.