Redemption

[RedStag5728]

Ok, my first Osage SB broke on me during tillering. I learned my lesson about Osage's intolerance to scorching when bending the limbs, as well as to know when i'm taking off too much wood.

I've got my second stave from my bowyer mentor and this stave is a lot straighter, cleaner (very few knots) and darker which I like a darker colored bow, and so I want to redeem myself (hopefully).

I am planning on making this a hunting bow and my current hunting bow is a laminated Longbow 64" NtN 57# at 28". Being that I have such a short draw; being 26.5" I wanted to go with a heavier weighted bow. For this self bow I want to continue with the same design american flatbow with locator handle, and my target weight is 65# at 28", or a little heavier.

I am unsure about which dimensions deliver a particular weight. I do know I want to leave this bow slightly longer than my other bow, something like 68 or 70" to provide a smoother draw at such a heavier weight.

So what should my dimensions be for a 68 or 70" bow 65# @ 28? What I mean by dimensions is width and thicknesses of fades to the tips (the outline).

Thanks!

Randy

[Roy from Pa]

I would make the flares 1 1/2 wide and hold that 1 1/2 width out 6 inches more past the flares, then do a straight taper from that 6 inch mark to 1/2 wide at the tips. For the thickness, I would shoot for 5/8th at the flares to 3/8th at the tips. 65#'s is a lot of weight, 55 pounds will kill any critter in North America. And the heavier the bow, the more your accuracy could diminish.

[red hill]

Sounds like Roy knows what he's sayin'! And I agree with the accuracy and heavier bows. The accurate arrow brings home the venison.

[RedStag5728]

I agree, but since my draw is short (26.5") at 65# I will be drawing probably around 55# right?

Ok so have 12" between flares? And have the 5/8 at each 6" flare?

What would you make the thickness of the handle for a locator grip?

[John Scifres]

You don't make selfbows to draw 28" if you only draw 26.5".  Make it for your draw.

For a 55# at 26.5" osage, make it 62" NTN, 4" handle, 1-1/2" fades, 1-1/4" wide at the fade for 6" of the limb, tapering to 1/2" at the nocks.

I have made dozens of bows like this and it will serve you well.

Take your time and you might make a hunting bow your first time out.  But don't plan on it.  This is a process.

I make my handles 1-1/4" thick.  I generally do a moderate locator grip, not too deep though.

[RedStag5728]

John thanks for the input, what thickness for your design? And also did you mean '1 1/2" fades, 1-1/2" wide at the fade for 6" of the limb'? Or was the 1-1/2" at the fade the thickness down to 1/2" thickness and width?

[John Scifres]

The fades are 1-1/2" from the handle.  So if you start from the center point of your stave, measure 2" for the handle on each side.  Then measure 1-1/2" from that mark for your fade.  Then measure 6" for the full width portion of the limb.

Make the limb 1-1/4" wide from the end of the fade to the 6" mark.  Then taper down to 1/2" wide at the nock.

I start with 5/8" thick.  Then I start tillering.