First self bow... Need a few pointers..

[Buzz Killington]

Small world  

[okie64]

That stinks man. Thats a pretty bad crack but if you're dead set on saving it rap it with b-50 or dental  floss for about 3 inches on both sides of the crack and soak it with superglue until it wont hold anymore. It "might" hold up for a lightweight bow but you never know. You wont be able to scrape on that part of the belly after you rap it so you'll have to work the poundage down before you rap it. Might be kinda tricky to get the poundage down and keep a good tiller without being able to draw the bow. I Forgot to mention to fill that crack with glue and clamp it till dry before you do the rap. Good luck.

[SportHunter]

I'd say call it your first try and get some better material for your next try. Pine hollow is a good site for materials or blanks. Good luck.

[Buxndiverdux]

I guess I'm gonna scrap it and look for some hickory and give that a try. Thanks for all the help and replies.

[okie64]

Scrappin it is probably a good idea. If you're gonna keep makin bows that one is not the only one you will break. Everyone who makes wood bows breaks one from time to time. Set it on a shelf or in the corner of your shop and you can look back at it one day and it will remind you of where you started. I have a whole shelf full of em in front of my workbench just to remind me to slow down and be patient.

Hickory is a much better bow wood than redoak but it can break too. You wont break near as many if you cut your own wood and build from staves. Straight-grained boards are pretty hard to come by.