First Thread... Fiberglass Build Along

[Patrick McCormick]

Howdy folks I'm just a fly fisherman from Alaska who builds fly rods and ties flies, so I figure the next step in my bowhunting is to build a bow... Here goes...

Step one:  The Riser Glue up
Got some scrap chestnut down at the local woodworkers and some red oak for a little bit of accent.
     

cheers!
   

[razorsharptokill]

1st.. welcome. All you'll ever want to know about bows can probably be learned here on Tradgang with the collective knowledge of its many members. Do some searches and ask lots of questions.. the truth is out there! LOL!

[Patrick McCormick]

Step two, cut out riser, sand sharp, then I clamped it to a peice of oak for storage to protect the tips
 

and got some cuttings that will become tip overlays
 

next up I gotta build a form and get my glass and tapers together

[Jason Jelinek]

You might want to feather those riser ends a bit more.  I've gotten mine so I could see light through the last 1/8".  They transition much better that way.  That is if you are going to run the glass up the dips of the riser.

[Patrick McCormick]

glass is gonna go under the riser for this first bow, I'm keeping it as simple as I can, I'm not very good at building stuff...

Can you get walnut so you can see light through it?

[Koko Bow]

I use black wlanut on the kids bows and yes you can get it that thin.  Good planning to protect those fade outs by clamping to another board until you are ready to use.  I knocked one off the work bench and busted the fades on one.

[Osagetree]

A live build along is stressful on a man. Take your time,, we'de rather see you take your time than rush through just cause we want to see more. Go slow take lots of pics and keep us posted. Good luck!

[Dick in Seattle]

Patrick... Osagetree's advice is good.  Believe me, I know.   I just finished my first solo run.  I web posted it all on my site.  I didn't call it a build along, but a "worry and agonize along".  There may be a couple of major screw ups I didn't make, but I can't think of them.  It was primarily meant as a log for my own future reference.  It's long and the pix don't start till well into it, but if you want to see my errors, you're welcome to do so.  I'll put a link in...   Good luck with your efforts.  I'll be looking for end result pix...

 http://dickwightman.com/archery/bowyering/beginningbowyerlog/beginningbowyerlog.html