Newbie Build Along

[matts2]

Hello everyone.  My name is Matt and I have been shooting traditional for about a year now.  The bow I normally shoot is a 50# Martin Jaguar that is 60#+ at my draw.  I am shooting indoor 3D league with it and it is getting pretty heavy.  I started looking at new bows in a lighter weight but then decided to go ahead and try my hand at building one.  So after reading everything I could find online and watching all kinds of videos, I found this place.  From what I have read on this site so far, I found the right place.

Well lets get to the build.  I mentioned I am a newbie and was a bit nervous taken on a full raw selfbow.  So I decided to go the board route.  I picked up a piece of hickory and went to town.

I forgot some pics at the beginning.  The board is 68" end to end and 1 5/8 x 3/4.  I found center, laid out 5" grip and then went and additional 3" top and bottom.  I went from those marks and drew and straight line to the 5/8"  wide tip.  I cut those lines and got the taper of the limbs.  Then I grabbed some Tulip off the shelf and glued it up for the handle.

Now the fun part starts.  Everything is rough shaped and started sanding/cutting down the limbs so they will actually bend.  After working the limbs down and down, I remembered I needed to start checking the tiller.  So I had to build a tiller post.  So I am moving along and getting the limbs shaped down and working the tiller.  I get the tiller to a pretty decent spot, not perfect, but decent.  So I wanted to check on the draw weight.  It is obviously pretty heavy.  

Now to my question.  My goal for this bow is 35-40 pounds.  I am curious how to get this bow down to that weight without making the limbs to thin.  Do I just keep making them narrower?  How thin can I make this limbs with hickory.  

Here are the pics I have of what I got so far.

 
 
 
 
 
 

[John Lipinski]

sure looks like a good start. I'm not too experienced here, but if you haven't taken a look at this thread, you should:  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=002064

4est does a great job walking you through the entire process--sure turned out to be a winning recipe for me.

Keep posting pics, and take your time. bowyering is a great way to pass the time

[matts2]

Well son of a.  Thanks for that link John.  That taught me more then pretty much anything else I found online.  That also showed me the I picked the WRONG piece of wood for this project.  You know the piece that he said that you REALLY don't want to use, well that is the one I used.  I guess that is why I have a spot that is keeping form just from bending the limbs while tillering.  I guess its back to the store for a new piece.  Oh well, lesson learned.  Will start over tonight.

[1oldbowguy]

Seems to me that you have a good start on it.  That link will sure help I can tell you for sure.  Also do a search on the site for other board builds, great looking so far, keep pictures coming.

[macbow]

Matt, just a couple of quick observations.
It looks like the guys have you pointed in the right direction. As you said the run off of the grain is not good.
When glueing after applying the glue wrap some syran wrap around the glue area before clamping. Saves a lot of clean up on clamps etc.

Looks like you used gorilla glue? Tite Bond 2 or 3 would be a better choice for just wood to wood glue up.

You could keep going with the one you've started to make it a light weight kids bow. Just add some type of backing,
Ron

[matts2]

Ron,
Thanks for the info.  I will be keeping this and turn it into a kids bow later on with a backing on it.

Will be starting on another attempt tonight.

[Ricky Wallace]

If I may add some safety comments,,Tablesaws are not workbenches!!       I cringed when I saw that blade sticking up there,all it would take is for someone to accedently hit the power switch and it could be a bad accedent. Not preaching at you,its just easier building bows with all your fingers intact! Ask me how I know!!

[Savage]

What kind of glue did you use? I would be worried about it coming apart.

[matts2]

Ricky.  I just laid it on there to take the pic.  The table I am using for the build is the same color as the bow and pics didn't turn out very clear.  I totally understand you concern and agree.

Savage, I used Gorilla on that.  I have been doing lams for a few years on other projects and like using it.  Its messy, but it works for the needs I had before the best.  I will use Titebond like Ron mentioned above since its proven in this application.

[Ricky Wallace]

OK, Just looking out for ya I cut the end of my finger off last thanksgiving working on a bow,so when I see something unsafe looking I just got to point it out! I agree on using TB2 OR TB3.

[KellyG]

Matt,
Since you are new I am going to assume you have not seen this little guy. This is the second link a new selfbowyer needs to hit.
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047  
Happy Building and God Bless,
Kelly

[matts2]

I did see that and it looks like a great tool.  I will be building one of those.  Thanks
Matt