First Osage build, what now?

[J. Holden]

So I bought these limbs from SEMO_HUNTER and decided to try my hand at a take down osage bow.  The pieces came to me pretty well shaped to begin with.  1 1/2 at the base and 3/4" at the tips.  The depth (back to belly) is around 3/4".  Over all tip to tip get's me 61 1/2".  One limb is 27" to the handle and the other is 29 1/2" to the handle.  I bought a $3.00 peice of metal scrap from a hardware store and shaped the ends to fit.  One limb (the longer of the two) is epoxied and the other will be removeable.  I guess I'm wondering where to I go from here?  Do I work on shaping the bow or do I start on tillering.  When do I apply heat to straighten thing's up?  Let me know what you'll think.  Positive or negetive, looking for guidance.  Thanks guys.

-Jeremy    

 

[broketooth]

i see a potential problem with your takedown sleeve. your sleeve is round, it gives you the potential at every time you put it together for unnecessary twist. a true takedown sleeve when viewed from the end, has a D shape. the flat part of the handle is fitted to the back of the bow, the D shape of the handle is shaped to the heal or belly side of the bow. there is no potential for unwanted limb twist.you also dont have a brass inner sleeve for the bottom limb, be prepared for the bottom butt to wear out and not have a proper fit over time. wood does crush under stress and wear. this will also cause the bow to shoot improper giving the effect of being out of tiller.i do however applaud your effort to find another way, without the takedown bow sleeve designed for this application , i feel you are bringing yourself unwarranted frustration due to  the round sleeve shortcomings. just my opinion rv

[J. Holden]

Thanks for the heads up.  I did buy another piece of metal to fit onto the other end.  However I would have to take off more wood and got afraid that I may be removing too much.  I had also thought about having a co-worker of mine welding a small piece of metal to the inside of the sleeve so that I'd have to remove wood to marry up with it.  Do you think a piece of leather or felt would prevent the degrdation of wood?  Or do I need something stronger to prevent the compression?  Thanks for the advice.  Hopefully a solution can be found before I progress.

-Jeremy  

[KellyG]

That is awesome Jeremy.
Just guessing but putting a ridge in it or key to make sure you line it up would be best. I wonder if you take it down some and then us an epoxy on that end if that might work also to keep it from wearing out.

oh and I bet leather would help keep it quiet though.

[Osagetree]

I would also have the backing ring intact all they way into the steel handle.

[J. Holden]

Ooh, the backing ring intact into the handle, 10-4.  Didn't know that.  Looks like I'll need to learn how to chase a ring.  I'll post some more pics after I get some more work done.  Thanks again for the advice.

-Jeremy  

[Mark Smeltzer]

What Joe said about the backing ring is right on.
One ring into the sleeve or it could come apart.
That is what happened to my first takedown.
Mark