bingham's drilling jig

[ghost rob]

Is the binghams jig usable or not? I have read where many people have had problems, has anyone had consistantly good results? I just got the form and the oven done to build the pronounced take-down longbow and I'm wondering whether or not to order the jig or do it a different way.

[bjansen]

Its not too bad.  It is touchy to get it perfect as it is designed.  But since I dont have a drill press, it works good for me to get a straight hole through the limbs.  

I think the best way to use it is 1) drill the large riser hole and tap your riser (don't drill the index pin hole just yet). 2) Drill your limb holes (both...and go through on both).  3)  Mount your limb on the riser, get it lined up correctly, clamp in place and then drill your riser index pin via the limb index hole you made in step 2.  4) Add overlays to the limb to cover up the index hole that went all the way through.

[jsweka]

I'm in the process of finishing up my first take down recurve from a Binghams kit.  The next one I do will use the process Brad outlined above.  I've seen similar advice before, but in my pigheadedness I did it just like the Binghams instructions without drilling the index pin hole completely through.

I was too cheap the buy the Bingam's drilling jig and used a doweling jig my Dad, who is really into wood working, had.  It worked well.  For the next one I build, my Dad and I are going to split the cost of a fancier doweling jig, that way I can use it for making bows and he can use it for other wood working projects.

I'm certainly no expert, now having built a grand total of 1, but I think the bottom line is that you just need something to make sure your holes are the right distance apart and in a straight line.

[ghost rob]

Thanks guys!

[Kanga]

If you take the time and care to line the jig up with your center line then you wont have any problems.

Also when you drill the holes drill them slowly and make sure the drill stays straight otherwise you will wash out the holes in the jig.

With my current jig I have made 50 bows without any problems at all.

[Kevin Breaux]

Originally posted by Kanga:
If you take the time and care to line the jig up with your center line then you wont have any problems.

Also when you drill the holes drill them slowly and make sure the drill stays straight otherwise you will wash out the holes in the jig.

With my current jig I have made 50 bows without any problems at all.

As per what Kanga said, take the time with the jig if you have it...I decided to spend the money and use the jig, less chance of messing it up, I create enough holes I have to dig myself out of, didn't need to complicate the job