Board Bow Tiller?(pic)

[BMN]

The picture below is my first attempt at a selfbow. It's a red oak board bow I made last summer. Shortly after these pics where taken I took the bow out back and shot about 5 arrows from her before I heard the fatal "tic" sound that every bowyer hates to hear. I found a crack in one of the limbs and she's been hanging on the shop wall ever since. I had a great time making the bow and it definitely was a learning experience. I'm going to be starting another bow soon and just want to get some thoughts on how the tiller looked on this bow. I'm learning as I go so any comments would be appreciated.

Here she is braced.

 

And at full draw.

 

I'm hoping to get at least 10 shots out of this next bow    Just keep making progress and I'll get there eventually.

Bill

[John Scifres]

Looks pretty good to me.  Can you wrap the splinter?

[BMN]

It never ocurred to me that I might be able to wrap the crack. What's the best way to go about wrapping it?

[the Ferret]

Looks good to me too.

First, where's the crack? center of limb? edge? how you handle it depends on where it is, how deep, maybe it can be sanded out, limb thinned, or maybe it needs to be glued down and sinew wrapped.

[OkKeith]

Bill,

I build quite a few board bows, and have had similar things happen. I now back all my board bows with rawhide. It makes for a VERY durable bow and avoids any problems with grain run outs or the like. That way I don't have to spend quite so much time going through the lumber racks searching for the "perfect" piece. If the bow you mentioned hasn't formed a hinge at the bad spot you could still back it and see how it goes.

I sometimes get my rawhide from trad. archery suppliers, but recently have been getting good stuff for a great price from a local saddle maker (they use it to wrap the horns on ropping saddles). It is of a good consistant thickness and just right in width.

I size the back of the bow with titebond II and let it dry over night (an even coat is best). Next day I soak the rawhide till pliable, recoat the back of the bow with glue and apply the rawhide after "squeegeing" between my fingers to remove excess water. Get all the bubbles out and smoothed down, then I wrap the whole thing up in vetwrap and let it dry over night. I use a paint stir stick (free from Lowes, HD, etc) with sand paper stapled to it to take off the excess (a lot of books say use a rasp, but I tend to take off as much wood as rawhide that way) and round the edges. Finish up the bow as you like.

Good Luck,
OkKeith

[BMN]

If I remember correctly the crack was on the edge of the limb and was pretty deep. I'll see if I can get a picture of it tonight. Thanks for the help guys!

Bill

[BMN]

The bow was already backed with burlap. Maybe I should have used rawhide. Here is a pic of the crack.

 

[the Ferret]

Oooo looks bad. I think it is originating under the burlap. Can you feel it with your finger under the backing?

I'd try a glue and wrap but wouldn't hold out much hope.

[John Scifres]

I think it's fixable.  Here's a splinter fix I did a few years ago:    Wilt\\'s Bow - Page 2

[BMN]

Yeah, I can feel the crack under the backing. I think I'm going to write this one off to experience and move on to the next one. Keith, I'll give the rawhide a try next time. I wasn't reel thrilled with the way the burlap looked anyhow. Thanks for all the help guys, I do appreciate it.

Bill

John, just saw your post on the crack fix procedure. I may give it a try sometime down the road. If I do try to fix it, can I send the bow to you to draw it the first time    That was a daring move!

[Eric Krewson]

Don't give up so easily. Sand the burlap off, spread the crack and fill it with a good wood glue and clamp it closed to cure. Flatten the back and glue on a strip of hickory or bamboo and you will have a shooter and learn a lot in the process.

I fixed this one with some urac and a new strip of bamboo. It has changed hands a bunch of times and is still shooting.

 

My favorite bow has two of these crack repairs, one one each imb.

 

[BMN]

Wow Eric, that's impressive. I never would have thought that bow could be salvaged. Very nice work.

Bill

[Eric Krewson]

This is the same area after the repair.