Back at it!

[bjansen]

I hope a few of you remember me from a while back - I was a bow making fool back them in my little 20x20 garage and about 8 years ago I got the itch to make a knife and basically spent all my time since then learning the craft and building knife making tools.  I went to the PBS banquet in March and had a chance to tour the Black Widow shop and the smell of fiberglass, smooth on and Thunderbird pulled me back in.  When I came home, I got all of my bow making supplies out of the basement, sorted it all out and figured I had enough lams, glass and risers to glue up 10+ bows (where did I get all that stuff from!). 

So I figured I would just grind out the lams and at least glue up all the bow stuff I had, get them roughed out and then I can store them for a later date to finish. I ordered some fresh epoxy and got to it.  I forgot how much fun this was and it brought back some great memories from back in the day.  I just finished a 58" osage/bocote bow for my son (now 10) today and attached are a few pics along the way. 

A few things I learned/forgot after all this time which I thought we be interesting to list:

1.  Smooth on smells great - I miss it....I do not miss the smell of thunderbird, or the feeling of that fiberglass all over me and my shop!
2.  I have more space now to work, but not enough bench space to work on bows.  I remember back In the day I had an old kitchen table top for a workbench, which I kept a roll of carpet on and a vise at one end. Working mostly on knives now, all my set up is much tighter and I really don't have any open space for working on a 5 ft bow
3.  A cheap random orbital sander is still the most used tool for making glass bows....I regret getting rid of that $200 Ridgid benchtop oscillating sander...that was really great for shaping handles
4. I still hate spraying the finish.
5. I take much more time prepping for the glue up, which results in much less epoxy on my clothes, tools, truck, door handles, and face.
6. My hot box sure takes much more time getting up to temp while in the basement.....never was an issue in the East Peoria, IL garage. 
7.  I am still allergic to Bocote!

[bjansen]

[bucknut]

Good to see you back at it.  Looks nice.

[Mad Max]

Good to see you back and It looks like you still got it, Nice bow

Try some VHT wheel paint Matte clear bomb can.
First time I used it laid down really good and looked like nothing was on it, Good stuff

[jess stuart]

Just like riding a bicycle.  Great looking bow glad your building again.  For those that might not know his knives look fantastic.

[bjansen]

Thanks guys. Good to hear from you again !!

[Flem]

Sweet looking Bow!  Nice looking shop also
I'm glad not to be the only one that likes the smell of epoxy. EA-40 has a kind of nutty aroma.

[Buemaker]

Hello. You are not forgotten and some nice bows you made.

[Jack Denbow]

I sure am glad to see you back making bows. Bows and knives, this going to be a good ride.
Jack

[kennym]

Lookin good Brad! Glad to see you back!

[JGR1269]

I was away from building bows for about 6 years and just got back into it in March. I had forgotten how much enjoyment and satisfaction I got from building bows. Good to have you back.

[beachbowhunter]

Funny post BJ. I hate spraying bows too! Not giving you any sympathy on the "small shop" stuff though.  You have acres compared to me!

[Thadbow]

That turned out great, excellent work Brad!

[bigbob2]

Your 'holiday' didn't do you any harm!. Very nice bow.

[Holm-Made]

Brad your just good at everything.

[jsweka]

Brad - You Sir, are a true craftsman whether it be knives or bows!

[bjansen]

Thanks gentlemen. I appreciate it!