Osage Bow Build Advice?

[osagearcher0406]

Hey guys, I have followed a lot of your forums before and just today took time to register. I am young and the last few years have really fell in love with traditional archery. I am currently working on some self backed osage bows for my younger brothers xmass. I am shooting for about 60# for them, we have all been shooting since we were young and I am 6ft2 200# they are both bigger than me! Any advice on dimensions? I have the back chased to one ring and have it pretty well roughed out. It will be 67 n2n (roughly) and I am attempting a rigid handle. The taper from the fades is where I could use some advice from a willing teacher? I greatly appreciate any and all help! Happy Hunting!

[osagearcher0406]

P.S. I can upload images after tonight, I intend on getting it to floor tiller and getting the limbs closer to a final dimension. Starting around two inches, tapering out and I plan on heat bending a recurve in the last 6 inches or so...

[glenbo]

I think if you post Ohio question on the Bowyers bench forum you will get some sound advice.

[glenbo]

I typed THIS, but Ohio came up. Sorry

[twitchstick]

X2 on bowyer's bench. Great bunch of guys!

[osagearcher0406]

Guys forgive my ignorance on this, but what do you mean on "ohio"?I have a pretty solid idea, have read everything I could get my hands on, own TBB, and watched every video on the web I could find that was relevant. Still nothing like real life experience! I have two failed bows, (they will both end up being kid bows). Fingers crossed here, I hope that the third time is the charm for me! This bow will be drawn to 30 inches, as both my younger brothers are 6ft4 and have very long draws. I want at least a semi rigid handle if possible to cut an arrow rest on the side. The bow stave has a really nice natural reflex on both sides, and one limb has some slight prop twist, I worked the design out to not include two knots I thought may be problematic. I intend on a "molgabet" style recurve on this current one. The next one is going to be a very snaky bend throught the handle bow at 50 - 60# (Hoping). I will have pics after tonight. Again, any and all advice is very very appreciated here, as I am still learning!

[Elkchaser]

Glenbo reposted. He meant to say post THIS on the Bowyers Bench Forum and you will get some sound advice from "guys in the know".
Good Lck with the project. Sounds like great gifts to me!    

[DVSHUNTER]

Make your fades 1 and a half inches long. And for a beginner id make my limbs  1 1/2 or even 1 5/8 wide at the widest point.

[monterey]

Originally posted by glenbo:
I typed THIS, but Ohio came up. Sorry

I have that problem with my mouth!  :confused:

[Eric Krewson]

Make yourself a tillering gizmo.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047#000000

[Jack Skinner]

As stated above 1) Bowers Bench section of this web site, 2) Get Bowers Bible 1 and follow the osage selfbow chapter, 3) Make an Eric Krewson tillering gizmo and use it. These three will help you along as a bowyer, and greatly increase your chances of not only making a bow but a well tillered and fine shooting one as well.

[osagearcher0406]

Thank! I will get some pics up this afternoon and will look into building a tiller stick. I was thinking of just making one with some scrap lumber. I need the bows to reach 29-30 inches perhaps, I understand you do not want to stress the bow beyond its final draw weight, and just tiller weight out until you reach draw desired? I will have something to share this evening. Again, thanks for the advice and tips it is sincerely appreciated!