Hickory Board Bow, string follow,

[TomBow]

Oh ye of the knowledge, please lay some insight on me....

After delving deep into the mystery of trad, learning as I have gone on, I decided that maybe I could produce a bow and I set off on my journey to do so.  I researched for months, then acquired some boards and tools and proceeded to film my entire garage, here in MN during the oh so frigid depths of winter, with a fine layer of sawdust.  My first attempt started with a maple board cut by my father in law which had grain which I had pre-planned would result in failure, but still something worth learning a few things on.  The board was laminated with bamboo flooring and worked into bow shape, with about 3" of reflex heat-treated at clamped into the limb ends, only to snap a limb tip (10") off while attempting to string it before it was quite ready.  Attempt 2 was a red-oak board with okay grain which cracked mid-limb when I tried a string that turned out to be a bit short.

My 3rd attempt has reached a point of almost-doneness.  This bow is Hickory, about 65" ttt, 63"ish ntn, handle is 4 layers: Hickory core(main board 3/4"), 1 layer 1/8" thick oak, 1 layer 1/8" thick mahogany, 1/2"-ish hickory topping it off (belly-side).  Limb tips are reinforced with hickory overlays.  I backed the bow with automotive fiberglass tape.  I have been using Titebond II for all gluing done to date on all 3 attempts.  The bow is unfinished, ie: not stained or sealed, basically raw wood.

In addition, the widest width of the bow is 1.5" and I tapered the limbs from about 14" off each limb tip to the tips using a relatively straight taper.  I have the bow at low-60 pounds at 28" and have put close to 100 arrows through it.  After shooting sessions, I unstring the bow and have noticed about 2.5" of string follow developing at each limb tip.  I can "floor tiller" it back to nearly flat, showing little string follow in the limb tips.  
Questions:  Should I expect the string follow to keep increasing?  Is it odd that I am able to push the string follow out of the limbs?  Should I think about trying to induce some reflex at this point to counteract the string follow?  Would putting stain and sealant finish on the bow result in reduction or elimination of the string follow or is this just what would does when you make a bow?

Please help to educate the ignorant (that'd be ME!) by providing some insight.

Thank you in advance.  I must say I have been really enjoying these attempts but I did have to step away from the workbench for a few weeks after no. 2 went "CRACK" on me.  Not a good day.  But so far no. 3 has turned my frown upside-down!

[Eric Krewson]

You didn't say if you glued up your components in a reflex, this helps with string follow.

2.5" isn't terribly excessive, no point in pushing the limbs back to straight, they are what they are. If the bow shoots good for you there is nothing to be ashamed of.

I once shot with a guy who's bow had at least 5" of string follow(Jimmy Taylor bow). The bow was surprisingly fast and accurate in spite of it's obvious flaws.

[John Scifres]

Dang that's a lot of layers.  I suspect moisture is an issue but there is so much going on there that who knows what the problem is.  Design is everything on wooden bows.  For your first dozen or more go with a proven and simple design.

I also think that is too narrow for a 60#s bow.

It is not abnormal to be able to return the bow to straight.  Think of a wire, easy to bend back and forth.  Wood is the same way only you are damaging the cells with that back and forth.  I'd guess the follow will get worse and likely cannot be corrected.

Here's a buildalong I did many moons ago on that subject:    Fixit

[TomBow]

I will admit that I got a little aggressive with the design, using a Toelke Whip as a reference, which is a mistake.  I realize now that I need to get my mind off the looks and focus more on design.  It was hard for me not to get excited after I got it to 28" and it didn't break.  As I indicated, I am absolutely new at this.  I will try a less aggressive design next time.  I am learning by doing which seems to be the best way to go for me.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments on this.
Do wider limbs help to reduce set by spreading the forces affecting the wood over a larger area?  Should I expect all wood to take a set and should induce reflex from the start to counteract inevitable string follow?

Thanks again!

[TomBow]

I went back and read through PoorFolks Red Oak build along and may have discovered something.  In the B.O. he says not to pull the bow back beyond the desired ending weight which I did.  In an effort to check the weight at 28", I pulled the string while the bow was on the tillering tree and the bow had a weight of 65#.  I originally hoped to get the bow somewhere around 55 or so.  Perhaps this crushed the belly fibers more than I should have, resulting in the bow taking more set?  Just fishin' for answers....

[John Scifres]

Originally posted by TomBow:
Do wider limbs help to reduce set by spreading the forces affecting the wood over a larger area?  Should I expect all wood to take a set and should induce reflex from the start to counteract inevitable string follow?

Thanks again!

Yes and it depends.  I highly recommend the Traditional Bowyers Bible Vol 1, particularly the chapter on design by Tim Baker.

[George Tsoukalas]

It's a few inches short for your draw but the set isn't bad. Enjoy your bow. Jawge

[LittleBen]

x2 what George said. I think the length is a little short for that draw ... and the width is a bit narrow for that length of bow at that draw weight and length.

Considering those things, I think 2.5" set is probably what I'd expect. maybe a bit less with perfect tilering.

Heat treating hickory on the belly can really reduce set. Might try it on your next one.

I just finished a hickory selfbow also 64" long and 1.5" wide, 45# @ 26", heat tempered belly. Holds 1.5" reflex after being strung and shot.

Might consider 66" long, 2" wide, and heat temper the belly and put the limbs into some reflex on the next one and you won't have much if any string follow.