First (successful) bow, though it's still kinda rough...

[halfseminole]

This is a horse bow I knocked together using Youtube videos and sheer Southern doggedness.  Siyahs (which I'm still tuning thinner) are highly figured red oak (I knew I'd come up with a use for it) and the bow is 3/4" schedule 40 PVC.  String bridges were heat shaped and glued on using regular PVC glue, the arrow rest (kinda hard to see) is under the electrical tape so I can move it as need be.  

 

It may not be pretty, but that's a comfortable 35" draw there.  I'm realizing that getting used to my own geometry because of my condition is paramount.  I try to draw to where it feels comfortable, and this bow doesn't care how far I draw to do it.  And, if I get stronger, it'll change with it up to a point.  PVC will bend with heat, of course.

It needs a real string, and a tuning of the bottom limb so the string bridge sits right.  But that arrow smacks things with impunity when I loose it.  And I think that's the point.  It feels like a bow.

I know it's nothing against some of the creations I see around here, but I made it, and it doesn't blow up in my face, and it hits targets when I actually aim properly.  Thus far, that'll do for me.  We'll try for better with the next one.

[Bowjunkie]

It's not a competition... at least with me it isn't. Travel your own journey at your own pace. It's all good.

[John Scifres]

Cool!

[mwosborn]

Congrats on a shooter!  That is a long draw.  I think mine is only about 1/2 that - wish I could draw further.

[D]

That's really creative.  I agree with bowjunkie its not a competition at all.  Its a cool looking bow and if you like it that's all that matters.  I bet it does shoot hard with that PVC.

[scars]

Hey, That is awesome. I don't know what your condition is But your form is almost perfect for a recurve. Your arrow lines up with your lead shoulder and if you draw a line from the tip of the arrow to the center of your pull elbow it passes your shoulder, your wrist, shoulder  and then elbow.

PVC is a great material to learn basic physics of bow construction. heating and flatting the pipe with heat to get the correct tiller arc, the care to use the heat without scorching the pipe. The heat gun is your draw knife, and scraper. A few of the PVC bows under your belt and you will get a better understanding of what you want wood to do when you feel ready to try wood bows again.

I use 3 draws 28" if I use the front of my chin. 30.5" if I use my cheek behind the corner of my lip and 34" if I use the thumb ring and pull to my ear.

Yep, you are making me want to make one of those. Great job.

Joe

[bigbob2]

agree with all the above comments. Well done, and you have a bow that suits you for the time being at least . Cant ask for much more          

[MoeM]

Hard to believe that those bends work with PVC...
But if it shoots it`s a bow- so if it shoots good I guess it`s a good bow^^
And yes motivation shall not be a competition!

[JEFF B]

hey Buddy i have made a couple of those and they are awesome to shoot. as long as ya having fun go for it.      

[LittleBen]

Thats a long draw. Like asian style thumb ring draw.

If you used an anchor point with your finger roughly at the conrner of the mouth, you'd probably be drawing 31". That'd make it easier to find a bow to your draw length. Although not having used a thumb ring I don't really know much about it.

[Dan Bonner]

Nice job man! That thing has some very cool curves. I like it!

Bonner

[goobersan]

I think that is pretty d@mn cool. makes me want to play with PVC. Nice job