RIP - Latest build-along - Hickory

[BillJ]

Started bow # 6 recently.  It's basically the same as my last hickory bow ("Twisted  Hickory"), made from another piece of the same hickory board.  This one has a walnut glewed on handle, and I'm trying for 60 lbs at 28 inches.  In its current state, it is pulling 60 lbs at 24 inches.  I'm hoping for some help from this brilliant group of archers / bowyers, though, so I'm pausing for your input.  

Here is the bow unstrung.  Before I began working on it today, it had relaxed down to about 1/2 inch of set on both limbs:

     

Here it is braced:

   

Here it is pulled to 24 inches:

   

And here it is pulled to 24 inches, but reversed on the tree:

   

NOW FOR SOME QUESTIONS:

The following pic shows a small knot that has a tiny crack in it.  This is just outside the fade, and the wood there is working a bit.  Should I be concerned with this?  

   

The following 2 shots show the grain on the back of the bow in the end third of each limb.  There is some runout on the one.  Should I be concerned about this?  I was hoping for an unbacked bow, but I'm thinking about backing it due to this.  Opinions?

   
   

Finally, here is a pic of the set after working it a bit at 24 inches.  As I said earlier this relaxes to about 1/2 inch after a while.  I'm guessing the set it due to moisture, and am in the process of building a hot box which should help with that issue.

   

If you made it this far reading this lengthy post, thank you for your patience.  Any advice / suggestions / criticisms are always appreciated!

Bill J

[Luke Vander Vennen]

Here's just my opinion

1. The right limb in the first pic is bending too much in the outer third, and not enough in the first third.

2. I wouldn't worry about that crack. If it does worry you, just fill it with superglue.

3. With those kind of runouts I would definitely back it. It could blow real soon without a backing.

4. That much set is expected. Actually I would say you are doing pretty good there.

Just my two cents

Nice work so far. Keep us updated  

[Randy Morin]

1.  I was thinking the right limb in the first pic was bending too far into the fade.  I would work the middle third on that limb.  The left limb looks good.

2. Super Glue.
3. Can you attach a pic of the grain on the limb edge or count the runouts on the edge?
4. Your not gonna reverse any set by drying it more.  2 inches or less is average I would think.

[BillJ]

Very interesting responses.  This is one of the reasons I like this forum... it makes me look at things from varying perspectives.  When I look at those pics of the bow drawn to 24 inches, I think the LEFT limb in the top photo (the RIGHT limb in the second photo) is the one that needs work, and it is not working ENOUGH at mid-limb.  Interesting.

Thanks for the help guys.  

Bill

[Tim Clark]

I think, personally, that most if not all of the confusion is from the "background distraction(s)."

Can you drop a sheet, and maybe that will let us (and you) just focus on the limbs? Just a thought, not criticizing at all, looking to help get you what you need as far as proper advice.

That said, I'll reserve comment until then!  

[Paul H]

I'll second what tim clark saide

[George Tsoukalas]

That's qute a bit of run up on the back. I'd throw on some silk. Super glue the crack. If it gets larger do a silk or siew wrap set in glue. Tiller looks super. Pic is crooked. Time to think about a rope and pulley. Jawge

[BillJ]

OK... are you guys implying that my workshop is messy?  I am cut to the quick!      

Actually, I've been thinking about some kind of backdrop for the shop.  I recently built a new shop and am just getting stuff moved in there.  I'll try and take some more pics with less "distractions"!

Thanks for the feedback!

Bill J

[Tim Clark]

No, Bill, as I said, no criticism. My point is that we're seeing multiple geometric shapes in various and manifold stages of confluence and congruence in proximity to each other and our human visual capacity cannot adequately separate them sufficient to enable discriminating cognition as they transition from a horizontal planar relationship into one of dual descending arcs, thereby further handicapping our limited abilities in ascertaining the most appropriate response to your question.

   

In other words, give us a damn sheet for a background. Or a board with defined squares so that we have a sense of proportion and perspective. And clamp the bow horizontal.

   

Oh, and one more thing -- DO WHAT JAWGE SAID ABOUT A ROPE AND PULLEY!!!! We'd kinda like to keep you around, with all your body parts intact. And besides, who'd finish the bow for ya if you shot your eye out?!?!  

[BillJ]

ROTFL!!!  Mr. Clark, that is some of the best manipulation of English verbocity I've ever read!

I shall endeavor to provide the proper backdrop tomorrow.  And the rope and pulley is on the list of things to add to the new shop.  

I appreciate the feedback... and I'll be chuckling at your turn of phrase for some time!

B

[Jim now in Kentucky]

Actually, if you use those items in the background as reference points, the limbs bend mighty evenly. They come to the same points on those water pump pliers and the little saw at right.

I would be concerned about those runouts, though I have hickory with that kind of runouts the length of the limb and it hasn't blown. (But I do worry about it!)

JIm

[Tim Clark]

Hello, BillJ - have you had a chance to work on that bow?

Just checkin' in on ya - hope you've had time to enjoy it.

[BillJ]

Actually, I've been buried at work the last few days and haven't had time to get back to it.    :(  

Hopefully, I can make some progress in the next couple of days.  I'm hoping to be in the woods on Saturday, but when I'm not doing that, I'll try and hang that sheet for you and get back to tillering!

Thanks for the interest!

B

[Dan Chamberlain]

My only observation is your shop is too clean.

Dan C

[RayMO]

Yeah, my shop is never the clean.

Seriously, get some backing on it soon..  :D

[tim-flood]

ya know that the tiller stick is not doing your bow any favors either.  and if you think that it is still wet DON'T bend it any more!!!

[Shakes.602]

Is that like the Old Saying "A Messy Cook, is a Good Cook", "A Messy Bowyer is a Good Bowyer!"     Makes sense to me, if yer gonna play, ya gotta make a Mess!  :D   Good Looking so far, I am following here, hopefully do the same soon!

[BillJ]

OK... no real updates on this, as I haven't had time to do anything with it.  However, I have a question.  I was at Lowes yesterday, and saw 2 inch wide strips of Oak veneer. I picked one up, thinking it might work as a backing on this bow.  

Has anybody tried these veneer strips as backings?  Anybody want to stop me before I give it a try on this hickory board bow?  My other thoughts were either brown paper bag, or drywall tape.  Trying to go as cheap as I can on this particular bow.

Thanks!
Bill J

[NorthShoreLB]

How thick those veneers ??

curious to hear what the experts have to say.


    Manny

[BillJ]

Manny,

They are very thin.  I don't have it in front of me to give you the exact measurement, but they are thin.  I figured it would be thicker than paper or drywall tape, but not a whole lot, and it would look so much nicer if it works.

Bill J