Thank you Trad Gang. First self bows.

[chuck jones1836]

A couple years ago I first found Trad Gang and the fever to get a longbow struck me hard.  The natural question came up what longbow to get for about $200.00.  Well, I never had to spend the $200.00 myself for my family (wife, daughter and their husbands) gave me one for Christmas two years ago.

Several members had suggested to get a red oak board and make your own.  Well, I just didnt think that I had what it takes to do that.  But I ended up trying around October of last year.  My first was a laughing matter, however, it is still together and shoot well.  Then their were several more tries from Home Depot and they all snaped.

My last try was a sucess (I Think) with some hickory and red oak.

1.  Hickory 66" 48@26.
   

2.  Red Oak 66" 58@26.
   

3.  Red Oak 66" 58@26.
   

 (Rest cut on wrong side)


I think that I am hooked now...thanks for all the support...chuck

Ooops! I cant upload pictures of the bows.  I will have to try to post them someplace on the net.

[laddy]

that looks good, how long can a that bow sit there at full draw without damage?  I just got a pignut hickory that shoots about as fast as any thing else I have.  I set it up so I can shoot both hands.  I keep wondering how this bow is going to hold up, so far I am impressed.

[ishiwannabe]

Nice tillers. Im getting there myself...soon.

[brettlandon]

Nice bows Chuck!    

laddy, generally the answer is... as long as you can hold it.  I still use a tillering stick instead of a tree and my bows are never held longer than about a minute.  Using the tillering stick allows me to look down the bend of the limb, which makes it easier for me to tiller properly.

-Brett

P.S.  I still use the same stick and a bathroom scale for poundage while I'm tillering the bow.

[chuck jones1836]

These are my very first bow sucess's and I am pretty proud of them.  While tillering I keep them bent just as long as I need them to determine what to do next.  When I flex them on the tree it is just so the limbs bend about six inches.  At full draw as shown in the picture the bow could not have been there more than 30 seconds.

I believe that going to a string even at low brace can induce a lot of set.  Some initial test that I made prove that the limbs had to be pulled way past the desired poundage to string her up.  I think on the next bow I will leave it on the long string for a longer period of time.

Thanks for the encouragement on the bows.  I have been thinking on the bow that I cut the shelf on the wrong side to build it up with leather for a shelf on the side of bow.....chuck

[Mark Baker]

Nice bows, Chuck...you are rightly proud of your successes.   I started, much as you, but without  the support of internet and all the knowledge that now exists, some 20 years  ago with  board bows.   It's a great way to hone your skills,  and build some darn nice bows as well.   Soon you'll be cranking out some nice osage  selfbows as well!

[imskippy]

Beautiful job!
I've tried twice already builing boardbows out of redoak and they both have blown to pieces.  The limbs cracked perpendicular to the grain. I think mainly cause the wood is too dry and the grain is too coarse. the first blew around 40# at 18 - 20 inches. the next I tried a small 48" bow for my son and it blew at 9# around 12".

[chuck jones1836]

Mark--Thanks for your input.  I have really thought about trying to find a piece of osage.  However, a little scared to takle one.  I have heard a lot about how you have to go about it in a different way.  I dont know where I can get any.  I have heard it is in Texas but I dont know where a supplier would be or how to get ahold of a piece to wittle on.

Maybe a few more board bows before I go to osage.

imskippy--I tried 3 bows from HOme Depot with little sucess.  Two one finished in the shooting in stages before they gave way and the other broke at one tip when I was weighing it at full draw.  I decided to try to bend one of the broken bows for practice.  I heated it up hot enough that it was hard to hold your hand on it and cinced the clamp down about 3" and the board broke straight across where I had my block.  There is a lot to learn in this bow building hobby.  Good luck on your next...chuck