El CheapO, the $4524 TD Longbow

[SOS]

El Cheapo was my first stab at a laminated bow, and I didn't want to throw away too much money if I screwed it up (that's confidence for you   :rolleyes:  ), so I attempted to make a workable bow for the least amount of money.  I was asked in the build-along what was the total cost to make this bow:

 

So here's the rundown, some serious, some not so serious!  (Sorry, but the tabs, bolding and spacing didn't transfer well from MSWord - sorry!    )

El Cheapo Bow costs

Materials
Binghams:
.050 black glass   2
.120 Coreflex taper   1
.060 Coreflex parallel   1
¼” 18x1 ½ black phenolic   1
¼” 5x1 ½ black phenolic   1
1 ½ x 48 metal strip      1
Smooth-On         1
Pronounced Plans and instruction book
Total right at $90

Riser Wood          Free

Lowes
¼” 1 1/2x 2’ poplar for wedge   1    $2
½ tube of Devcon epoxy      1   $2
5/`6 x 18 Threaded insert      2   $2

Local specialty bolt store
1 ½ x 5/16 flat head cap screws   2   $2
¼ x 1” steel pins         2   $1

Other SHTUFF I had but used:
WipeOn poly               $1
Sandpaper               $1
Strings (tiller and final – make own)      $4
Masking Tape               $1
Twine                  $1
Bow Total             approx $107

Additional Expenses
Materials for form from Lowes
¾ Particle board Shelving 8’      1   $8
2 Dowel rods            2   $1
Rubber carpet molding      1   $3
Wedges            2 pks   $3
Form Total               $15

Real additional expenses
Belt Sander               $100
Used bandsaw               $75
Harbor Freight Drill press and stand      $43
Sanding drums for press         $20
New large kit of bits            $20
Countersink bits            $10
Scotch                  $32
Penalty/late fees on bills to busy to pay   $17
Gas for umpteen trips to stores      $30
Plane ticket to Salt Lake City to save $6 S&H on Bingham’s order (actually I was on business
travel but it sounds good)  $1000
73 hours labor at $35            $2550
High Speed internet to share w/TradGang   $55
Hot box 1991 Volvo that doesn't run too good - $450
Divorce…….just kidding!         $0
Sub Total               $4402

GRAND TOTAL of El Cheapo…………   $4524


Bottom line, if you have some tools or good neighbors, and assuming another $20 or so for riser wood that I got from a friend (could probably glue up some Lowes/Home Depot red oak cheaper), you could make a take down longbow in the 45#-50# range for about $150.  I did and it's scary, but I love the way it shoots!  Cheers,  Steve

[kennym]

MAN-10 of those a year and you'll have ta get another job or somethin!!  Fun tho ain't it??  

[Jack Guard]

I love it, when can we expect the next $4500 bow to be made.

[mmgrode]

.....
High Speed internet to share w/TradGang $55
Hot box 1991 Volvo that doesn't run too good - $450
Divorce…….just kidding! $0
Sub Total $4402

GRAND TOTAL of El Cheapo………… $4524

Building your own bow...priceless    

[Falk]

posted by SOS:
Scotch   $32

 

Falk

[eagle feather]

What...no Band-Aids??
Great looking bow!

[Shakes.602]

VERY NICE!!      

[SOS]

Falk,  I like my scotch just like my bows...Cheap!

And only one bandaid...believe it or not, that was cleaning the sticky stuff off the scissors after cutting velcro for the rug and side plate when the bow was finished....ouch.  Did get a few fiberglass splinters, though.