Intro, questions to come

[dmikeyj]

Hi all, I have just recently found my way back to trad archery, and would just like to introduce myself to the bowyers who I will presumably be annoying with my questions soon enough...

I am doing the red oak board bow to start, but have aims on a yew ELB at some point.

Anyway, if this post is better made in another forum, please move, and my apologies.

For a start- I have what I believe to be Eastern Red Cedar trees pretty much all over my yard, so at some point I will be trying to get a good bow from this wood.  I saw in another thread where 2" and smaller diameter branches can be used, but have no idea how I would layout a bow from a branch/sapling.  Any assistance with that would be a great start.

Thanks for the soon-to-be brain picking I will be doing to you all.

Mike

[dmikeyj]

So I made my first flemish twist bowstring

 

For this $10 bow I just picked up

   

I realize I made the string too long after getting just my fist between string and handle, but I noticed in the above photo that the top limb sure seems to be bending more than the bottom.  The bow is a Ben Pearson #304 50# at 28" 2 piece takedown recurve 63" ntn.  
So- my question:  What are the chances this bow has 2 different weight limbs?  I believe they were made from 40-60#, so the top limb could possibly be from lower weight bow, yes?
Or- I am seeing things- always a possibility.

 
A little different angle


2nd question:  Could I refinish this bow?  There are chips and scratches and the writing is gone.  It'd be nice if I could sand it down past the scratches and just finish with 1500 and 2k wet/dry.  It'd be a nice looking bow if I could clean it up like that and replace the grip.  It shoots pretty well to me, but I am of limited experience...

[Wingless Arrow]

Welcome to TG! Glad to have you here!
I think you might just be seeing things on that upper limb issue. it seems to be bending fine in my opinion.
I'm sure you know that if you sand it down you will lower the draw weight, but that won't be a huge loss. and you might also violate a ring. and that would be bad. but if you keep it a consistant sanding and check often, you should be fine.
im not any kind of expert though, so the other guys on here will set you straight, if i am wrong.

good luck,

JL

[dmikeyj]

WA, thanks for the reply.  I should have mentioned the bow is solid fiberglass, so none of that ring violation stuff, lol.

Mike

[Shakes.602]

Another  TRADGANG WELCOME  To You!! This Place is just  FULL OF HELPFUL FOLKS!!        

[karrow]

 good to have you

[mwosborn]

Welcome - looks like the bow is bending just fine to me.

[Wingless Arrow]

ah, well that is out of my leauge then. i was thrown off by the color. haha. someone will be able to help you out, sorry that i can't.

JL