1st (and maybe last) selfbow, need advice

[galadriel]

Hi,  I attended a bow making workshop  at Ojibwe bow jam in WI this past wknd.  I started a self bow made of red elm and managed to get it 75% completed.  My expectations were not realistic as I really wanted it to be shootable by the time we left on Sunday.  I’m in St. Paul MN and don’t know anyone around here who knows how to make selfbows.. My hunting friend can offer me some assistance but what I really need is a mentor who can help me finish it correctly. I don’t want to accidentally destroy it from sanding too much off here or there and making a weak spot. Is there anyone who knows of someone in the twin cities area that is knowledgeable about making/ tillering self bows?  My bow is  62” long, I have a 24” draw length and want the bow to be 40lbs.. last time I set it on the Tillering stick (Sunday) the bow bent to 27” at 40 lbs.  I know how to check for flat spots! w a straight edge & that’s about it.. .
It’s getting close to bending completely even on both sides-  before we left on Sunday one of the guys at the workshop said it’s still too heavy to put a string on- 
The bow will explode..

[Pat B]

Post pics of your bow...braced, unbraced, front profile and drawn as far as you've drawn it. We can help you finish your bow if you let us know your concerns and let us see the bow as it is now.

[Roy from Pa]

As Pat said, pictures will help us.

You said:
My bow is  62” long, I have a 24” draw length and want the bow to be 40lbs.. last time I set it on the Tillering stick (Sunday) the bow bent to 27” at 40 lbs.

Are you saying the bow's draw weight is 40 pounds at a 27" draw now?

[Bowjunkie]

Galadriel, one on one instruction is tough to beat, but like Pat said, there's plenty of help right here. The more pictures, details, and questions you give us, the better help you'll receive. There's not much else we'd rather talk about or do than help folks getting started.

By the way, are you sure the numbers are correct in your first post? It appears as though you've already pulled it 3" beyond your draw length.

[Eric Krewson]

You can count on about 3# per inch, if your measurements are correct you now have a bow that is around 31#@24".

[Mad Max]

Selfbow building is a challenge, not a easy thing to do, you should finish the bow and learn more.
DID you have fun while making it? That's what it's all about.
MoJam is in July at Marshall Mo. Come on and try again.
Never give up.
Post some Pic.