Critique needed (full draw pic!)

[George Tsoukalas]

Bernie, I know. Art keeps us all honest. That is a very interesting design. I guess, Briar, you have to honestly assess the tiller making sure that the spots in question are doing their work. Don't listen to me. LOL. I'm an old man stuck in my ways and methods. Just ask my darling daughters but they wouldn't have it any other way. John, it is 12 deg here this AM. I'm going for a walk. We are almost don with Feb. -glad it is the shortest month- then comes March. The end is in sight. Take one of your beautiful bows stumping. Jawge

[John Scifres]

You can gain efficiency by narrowing the last 6" to 1/2" wide and then tapering to whatever width you have at midlimb.  Your bow would then be more like a Holmegard.  Go slowly and incrementally, 1/16" at a time and exercise the bow and check tiller after each cycle of wood removal.  

Or you could tiller it to bend more in the arc of a circle.  Either way should gain efficiency which usually means speed and less handshock and a smoother drawing and shooting bow.

Or you could just give to your dad and go shoot     Can I suggest you not chrono that bow with a 615 grain arrow?  You'll think less of it.  If you must shoot it through a speed trap, find a 5/16" dowel, cut to exact draw length and give it two 3" fletches and a 100 grain tip.  You'll love that bow then.

[John Scifres]

Jawge, 8 degrees and dreary gray outside here.  But it's 70 and sunny in my office.  Humidity is downa  bit though to 33%.  Where's my lotion?

[George Tsoukalas]

I hear hear you, John. Spring will be here soon. Spring will be here soon.Spring will be here soon.    Jawe

[briarjumper12]

John,
I'll keep that in mind when I chrono it.  With that arrow I am going to guess in mid to high 140's.  I know it is slower than the last one I built.  The last one was 65@26 and shot a 550 grain arrow at an average of 170.  This new one is definately slower but seems quick for such low weight.  I flight shot one of those 615's the other day got 185 yards per the range finder.  How does that sound for a flight shot out of such a bow?

[Art B]

"I flight shot one of those 615's the other day got 185 yards per the range finder. How does that sound for a flight shot out of such a bow?"

Your drawn profile did look fast, but wow, I would consider that quite a feat for a 40# @ 28" draw shooting a 615gr arrow! What type arrow? And what kind of string?

Your front profile matches the braced/drawn profile so you can't change that. But you really wouldn't want to do that anyways with the way the bow's performimg. An arc of circle profile wouldn't work now because of your retangular limb shape.

Sounds like you've got a great start on building some awesome bows! Art

[briarjumper12]

Art,
The arrow is an 28 in long 11/32 with a 10 nock taper to 5/16.  I used a 5/16 125 grain tip and kinda blended the shaft and tip together so that when you pull it out of a target it doesn't hang up.  Hard maple.  I cut them out and planed them down.  Flethced them with 5 in shield LW primaries from birds I harvested.  Had Charles to grind them and cut them and he done great on that.  Soon I will figure that stuff out for myself.  
Also on the list to learn is the flemish string.  The string is a 14 strand b-55 from Josh.

I thought it shot a pretty good ways for what it is.  It really surprised me.

[briarjumper12]

I got to the archery shop today and chrono'd this bow.  I was guessing mid 140's and missed it a little.  At my 26" draw length it was averaging 130.  High was 134, low 127.  The shop owner shot it a bunch and loved it but I didn't think to get him to shoot through the chrono, he's a longer draw than I am.  I wonder how much faster it would be at 28 inches as opposed to 26.

Curiosity got the better of me and I did use those big 615 grain arrows.

[briarjumper12]

I delivered the bow and 7 arrows to Dad yesterday.  He was well pleased and took it to work and showed it off.  Now I have to build a bow for a guy he knows.
Myself, Dad, my 9 and 5 yr old sons, and my 9 yr old niece went out stumping today and had a ball.  I was shooting big heavy blunts with my 65@26 bow and Dad with his new 40@28.  His bow outcast mine by 20 yards...I couldn't believe it.  That bow's cast is really amazing to be so light in poundage and chrono so slow.
Thanks for the all help and good discussion gentlemen.  I've already started peeling another stave so you'll be hearing from again soon.

[Art B]

Good to hear that your Dad was well pleased with his new bow. No better way to get an archery group started than making a bunch of bows and arrows and giving them away. Gotta watch though, it can become a full time job! Already looking forward to your next project. Thanks for sharing.......Art

[Sixby]

Even though the bow is reflexed design when you have it at full draw is should form an arc except at the tips. the outer half of that bow limb is static right now and 10 to 12 inches is doing all the work.
The point of reflex is to create the same stiffness when finished but with less wood or weight. This makes a lighter and faster limb. At different stages of the draw the limb will take on different aspects or looks but at draw it should form the arc or even work load.
As you tillered this bow initially I would work from the back third foreward to the limb tip. staying underweight all the way. The tips are the last thing you want to bend and in fact they can stay static to retain string angle. Right now the limb is way too heavy physically compared to what it could be. As stated the design is great . However the way it is working in the present state can be greatly improved and it will have even more speed and less weigt physically and be much faster than it is at present.
God bless you and have a great day, Steve

[John Scifres]

Sweet.  Congrats on getting a shooter to your Dad.

[briarjumper12]

Thanks for the tips Six.  I understand what you saying.  I am starting a new bow and will adjusting the design.  I am going to do another form also.  I have had a lot of great feedback on to incorporate into the next one.  Man, what I wouldn't give to able to have someone that is good at this to work with for a while.  Nothing beats hands on learning.
John

[Sixby]

I learned with no help. Its hard but you can at least get a lot of tips from some really great guys on here. I broke seven bows before I got a shooter. At least you are working with the right wood to learn on. Sage can't be beat according to all the experts.