U finish bows

[Chester Thompson]

Ok, I have been watching this board with some interest for a while now, and I am looking at trying to "make" a bow for myself. I know myself and what I am looking for is a complete U finish bow. I don't want to do any of the tillering, having to cut string grooves anything like that, because if I do I know I will never finish it. Current budget is MAX $150 with shipping included in that price, so please don't link bows that are out of that price range. I know I have looked at several in the $225-$250 price  range and in the future I will be able to get one of those, just not right now.

One of the ones that I have been looking at is this one  http://www.crowsheadoutfitters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_37&products_id=1080

The others are from rudderbow.

Any other suggestion?

Has anybody done any of these? How hard are they to finish? Are they decent bows when they are done?

Thank you,
Chester

[Dick in Seattle]

What's your draw length.... this is essentially a board bow and it sounds to me like the guy is limiting his liability with that 26", under the chin, anchor point statement.   It would work for me, since my natural draw is only 25", but still, I anchor on my face, not under my chin.  just one opinion, but I'd keep looking.

[Chester Thompson]

My draw length is between 24 and 26 depending on who measured it, so that short bow would work just fine in length for me.

[huntersteve]

I bought one of the u-finish bows from Rudder bows...it was a r/d hickory/Ipe with a bamboo back...but this bow was just floor tillered...just had to take down the draw weight and check the tiller...the bow turned out nice and is a great shooter...I plan on taking it hunting next year....it was $150.00.....Steve

[Tom I.]

If you want a laminated bow, Craig Ekin of Howard Hill Archery sells a finish-it-yourself
blank, as do the folks at ths site:

 http://longbows.homestead.com/index.html

Tom I.

[Chester Thompson]

Hey Steve, do you have any pictures of it? I would like to see them if you do.

How long did it take you to finish it up? What tools were required?

I have looked at the Homestead bow blank before, but right now it is just a bit out of my price range.

Thank you,
Chester

[huntersteve]

I'll post some pics of the bow i did....it took me awhile because i would just work on it an hour here and there due to my work schedule...you could probably complete it on a weekend if you stayed with it....I used a belt sander,block sander,cabinet scraper,and mouse finish sander to work it down to my weight and final tiller....I finished up at 57#@28".....sorry it took so long to respond....I'll try to post some pics today..Steve

[huntersteve]

here's some link's to a few of the u-finish bows...pretty good deal's

 http://216.119.68.89/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_10&products_id=92&zenid=5fbaaf5ee93aa802b89dec676174df9d

 http://216.119.68.89/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_10&products_id=362&zenid=5fbaaf5ee93aa802b89dec676174df9d

 http://216.119.68.89/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_10&products_id=323&zenid=5fbaaf5ee93aa802b89dec676174df9d