First bow build have questions - Finished + Pics

[Jomohr84]

Hello all,

Am working on my first bow build using Sam Harpers build along, and it is turning out great! I have been using 34 lb working load nylon cord for tillering though, and was wondering if it is accurately displaying draw weight, or if it is stretching.

I was shooting for 45lb + on this bow, but it is reading 40 at 28, before sanding or shooting in, so was wondering if I should buy a b50 string and see if it reads higher draw weight, or shorten the limb tips, which I left static for 6 inches. The bow length is 72". With 1/8" positive tiller.  Any input or suggestions appreciated

Thanks!

[macbow]

Absolutely you need a regular string.
In your case a long string with a bowyers knot would be good in case you want to change the length of the bow and retest.
Most would say that if your going to make bows you should get into making strings too.
Ron

[Jomohr84]

Thanks for the advice, I would like to start making strings as well, as soon as I can afford it.

I have the idea of cutting a couple inches off each tip and using an old string from my dwyer which is 66".  I think the string would fit fine if I untwisted it a little.

I left the last 6" or so static on this longbow, so I don't foresee any problem shortening them, except they would he a little thicker at the tip.

It's already backed with linen too.

The bow currently has about 2.5" or follow, and hasn't been shot yet.

[Sam Harper]

If your string stretches (which it probably does if it's nylon), then your 40# at 28" isn't really at 28".  It might be at 27" or 26".  So when you put a string on there that doesn't stretch, you should get a weight that's a little higher than 40#, depending on how much the string stretches.  Of course the bow will lose a little weight as you sand it and shoot it in, too.

[Jomohr84]

Thanks for the info Sam, and thanks so much for the detailed build along as well as all the other great info on your site and YouTube videos!  

I have wanted to make a bow since I was in high school, and purchased an ironwood stave in Bemidji MN about 45 mins from where I grew up. It is a great snaky one that will make a nice chararcter bow, but I realized I needed to learn to crawl before I can learn to walk, so never touched the thing.

[Jomohr84]

Anyway, 10 years later and I'm making my first bow, and am addicted. So thanks again Sam, and to everyone here, I have read so many posts, this forum is a goldmine of bowyers knowledge!

[Sam Harper]

You're welcome.  I'm like you.  I've wanted to make a bow since I was a teenager, but I was too intimidated.  I didn't make my first bow until I was about 31 or 32 years old.  I got just enough of an adrenaline rush to try it.

I've had a piece of Osage with some character for about five years now without doing anything with it because I was intimidated, but i just now got done chasing a ring on it, so we'll see what happens.

[Jomohr84]

So finally finished my first board bow build, or any bow build for that matter, besides a PVC bow I did about a month ago, which broke.

It is 40# @ 28" Red Oak, built following Sam Harper's Build along, which is excellent. Has about 2 1/2" of string follow, and of course is much slower than my Dwyer Longbow which is 46#, but It is fun to shoot and shoots straight! Just hope it holds together, I have heard and felt a
"tick" in the handle a few times at full draw, and it makes me nervous, hope it's nothing.

This was going to be a 70" ntn bow, but due to twist from uneven wood removal and a light draw I decided to make it 66" ntn, so it ended up with thicker limb tips than I would have liked. Well, for my first attemp at a bow I am happy and satisfied, and can't wait until I can start another, though I doubt my wife would say the same, since it pretty much consumed my evenings after work and made a bit of a mess, but it was well worth it for me, since I have wanted to try my hand at this since high school.

Please let me know what you think of the tiller, I can't see the same things looking at my own work as when looking at someone else's work.

     

   

   

   

   

   

 

Maybe too stiff at the fades?

[Glunt]

Great job!  Maybe a litte more bend at the fades and the outer 1/3 of the limbs would be in order, but if she shoots good, thats what really matters.  I'm a sissy and only build glass bows so my hats off to you!  Nice looking wrap as well.

[Tron]

It's a little stiff at the fades, but what really matters is that both limbs are the same, which you've done an excellent job with.  Looks like she should shoot great.  Beautifully done

[Jomohr84]

Forgot to mention, Eric Krewson's tillering gizmo was an invaluable tool in the tillering process, this being my first bow.

I made both a 6" for long string and 4" for short string, and they really helped take some guess work out of where to remove wood, so I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it.

[PEARL DRUMS]

His gizmo does a good job until you get 10-12" from your handle then it rides up the fades giving a false impression. Thats why your fades are ging to give you fits in the future with frets or a clean break midlimb on the bottom. You will have to eyeball that area and be sure its moving equally. The Gizmo will handle the remaining limb for you perfectly.

[Jomohr84]

I'll have to really watch that on the next bow, and maybe go slower, try to take more pictures as I go to analyze the tiller and try to keep the limbs bending evenly along their length.

From what I've read I think I tillered with the long string too far, Will try to get a low brace sooner on the next bow.

Thanks for the advice

[PEARL DRUMS]

Truth be told thats all your missing from your recipe for a great bow. Build that same bow again and get that first 6-8" moving good then gizmo the rest of the limb and leave the last 6-8" stiff. You will be amazed at the performance and lesser set you see with the same recipe. Good job for a first, its just gravy from here buddy!

[Jomohr84]

Thanks for the advice! Just picked up a red oak 1x2 tonight and can't wait to start the next one, but this week I have too many other projects that need to get done, so hopefully I can start the next bow next week.

  I learned a lot from the first, and know a few things i'll do differently, and with the great advice here hopefully turn out a shooter that will last. Maybe i'll have to post some tiller shots and get advice mid-tiller, I feel I could maybe learn more that way.