I finally figured it out

[Llamma1]

Here are my pics so far.I finally figured out how to post my pics.This is my black walnut stave.I am starting to build my first flat bow.It's going slow cuz I'm working 50-60 hours a week.But I will post my progress as I go,and feel free to criticize any mistakes I'm making.Ive read The bowyers bible #1 and bows and arrows of native Americans.that's all I know about it so far.I can't decide if I want to back it or not.Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there.[/LIST]   [/LIST]

[DVSHUNTER]

it looks good so far. Be careful if you're using a drawknife. I rasp mine to profile dimensions. It's safer. You don't want to tear out any wood.

[Pat B]

Good start. Now, get 'er done!!!

[Dan Landis]

I'll second what DVS said about drawknives.  I've turned several staves into kindling and kids bows by not following that advice.  Looks like your off to a good start, take it slow and ask lots of questions.......Dan

[George Tsoukalas]

Good start but you missed following the lateral grain in the foreground part of the picture. I think you did it to track the string better but there are better ways to do that-heat straighten, leave the handle and nocks wide until stringing to name a few.  Jawge

[Llamma1]

I measured center down the length of my stave and laid my bow out from there.I thought that is how you are supposed to lay a bow out.At least that's what I picked out of the reading I've done.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

What Jawge is talking about is following the grain from tip to tip. This keeps you at minimal runout on the edge of the limb and makes a safer stronger back. Leaving the handle and tips wide allows you to shift your nock groove one way or the other or your handle to get your string to track tip to tip and run down the center of the handle.
 
 It does not have to run down the center of the limbs but needs to bisect the handle.

 Stiks