Hickory Board Bow - Newbie

[mikkekeswick]

I wouldn't! Simple answer!
Cutting shelves can be done but it means you are violating the grain severely right where the maximum stress is. Do you want to risk this bow?!?
Another option is to glue on some pieces of leather. Soak them in the thinnest superglue you can find and then shape them for your rest.

[tsorenson]

And that can be done without wrapping the handle?  Also, it's 1.25" above center a good place for the rest?

[takefive]

I'd put the rest at the point where the top of your hand balances the bow the best.  If it's right at the center line, I'd put it there.
I don't cut in a shelf either, but I've seen enough bows made by experienced bowyers who do to know that it can be done.  If you cut it in too deep, though, and you don't have enough width or thickness of wood to support it, it will break.

[tsorenson]

So I didn't cut a rest, I added a strip of leather from my 4 year old's boots that didn't fit him anymore. I'm not crazy about the way it looks, but it seems to work swell. Today I fired my first shots and recruited said 4 year old to record the evidence:

 

[takefive]

Nice work    

[Jomohr84]

Great job! Always awesome to fire first shots off a new bow!

[tsorenson]

Thanks guys! Today I put some stain on it...I think it looks pretty nice, but I can't seem to take a picture of it that does it justice. Oh well...that doesn't stop me from taking pictures anyway.
 

 

 

[mikkekeswick]

Great!
Well done on making a functioning bow  
It sounded good on your video