Longbow build along (it's done)

[RGK]

After stringing the bow and having Josh draw it a few times, I asked him how the grip felt. He didn't like the bump in the center of his palm so I sanded it down a bit more and did all the finish sanding of the rest of the grip. While I was hand sanding, I looked up to see 3 young gals heading up the driveway to visit. I stopped sanding and grabbed the camera.

 

They didn't hang around long after I told them what I was making. With the sanding done (320 grit) I masked off the riser leaving the bloodwood exposed. I cleaned it with denatured alcohol in preparation for sealing the oily bloodwood with super glue.

 

I squeezed a line of glue on the wood and worked it in with my index finger using a circular motion and made sure not to stop long enough to become fused to the bow.

 

The Super glue gives a nice shiny acrylic finish and seals and files the pores.

 

After a 20 min. dry time, I peeled the tape and used 320 and the 400 grit sandpaper (including the glass) to take off the shine and smooth out the glue. The bloodwood is now sealed and now will accept the finish and dry at the same rate as the rest of the woods in the riser.

 

 

 

 

[suttoman]

Awesome job RGK - have really enjoyed this and feel much more condident to try it myself some day

Sutto

[RGK]

In between running my oldest Son all over the place in preparation for tonight's Senior prom, I had a chance to work on the bow. I wanted to add a medal to the bow's riser and I used a hat/lapel pin that I got at the last Wisconsin Bowhunter's Annual convention. Being that I am a Director for the WBH, I though it would be a nice touch.

I drilled a shallow hole for the medal so that it would sit below the surface of the riser.

 

It was a good fit.

 

I then masked off the riser and cut away the tape covering the hole. I used two layers of tape so that when I used a putty knife to level the epoxy, It would sit just higher than the riser and allow me material to sand away to make flush.

 

When the epoxy cured, I sanded it so the epoxy was level with the wood.

 

 

I kept on sanding until I had the whole bow smooth with 320 grit sandpaper.

 

[RGK]

I then cleaned the bow with a tack rag and then wiped it down with denatured alcohol. I masked off the glass because I want to finish the riser with tung oil.

 

I applied the Tung oil using the same "Brush" I used to apply the super glue to the bloodwood.

 

I rubbed in a healthy dose of the tung oil and after it cures, I will give it two more coats. I will then use 400 grit and steel wool to smooth out any lines and give it two more coats.

 

[sticshooter]

Super Job RGK. That is a fine bow. Congrats.<><

[bigcountry]

RGK, have you done this before?  How much experience did you have before tackling an advance project like this?  I have really enjoyed watching this buildalong.

[RGK]

I built a straight laminated longbow with supplies from Binghams 20 years ago. That was my first bow and this is my 2nd.

[bigcountry]

Well, this is very impressive for your 2nd bow.  I am intimidated just watching.

[SteveD]

Excellent. Great Job

[wislnwings]

Very impressive for a second bow.  I've learned a lot from following along.  Thank you for taking the time to post this.

[Pullonmylimb]

RGK it's obvious you have good woodworking skills that you can call upon but also the most important thing is patience.  I know I would have wanted to rush it so I could shoot it long ago.

Very inspiring.

[RGK]

Trust me, I have been itching to have mt son shoot this bow. I almost had him shoot it the day I finished the shelf but Thanks to the rain we didn't.

[RGK]

I have a lot of time in between coats of Tung oil so I am getting a head start on making some of the accessories Josh will need for the bow. The first thing he needs is a bow stringer.

I took an old bungee cord that I had removed the hooks from because I needed them for some other project and I cut off one end.

 

Then I trimmed off one side to create a flat surface. The flat is the surface that will contact the bow limb when being used. It took two cuts to get it where I wanted it.

 

The other end of the stringer will slip over the limb. This part, I made out of a piece of scrap leather.

 

I folded it in two and punched the stitching holes

 

Then sewed it using white, braided, waxed line.

 

Then I added a grommet for the rope to attach to.

 

Both ends were then connected using a strong nylon rope.

 

 

[RGK]

To use the string, On end is slipped over the lower limb tip.

 

And the rubber end is placed on the upper side of the other limb. The knot is tied far away from the rubber end to allow for clearance for the bow string to pass through.

 

I had Josh try it out on my old longbow since the Tung oil was still wet on his. One hand lifts the bow and the other hand slides the loop of the bow string into the string groove on the limb tip.

 

With the string finished, I moved on to a limb tip protector so that nice white antler limb tip won't become damaged when he sets the tip in the dirt.

I started with two thin pieces of suede leather and stitched them together to make a nice tight fit over the limb tip. I then cut a long slot in the back side for the bow string to pass through.

 

It is a tight fit and that will keep it from falling off.

 

I then trimmed away the extra leather around the outside and tried it with  the bow string in place.

 

 

I still need to make a string keeper, an arm guard, a finger tab and a case for the bow as well as a set of arrows.

[JEFF B]

well that is one awesome bow right there sir you have talent.        

[frassettor]

Fantactic skills you have there. Thanks for a great thread.

[Apex Predator]

I have really enjoyed your build-a-long, and could hardly stand myself to be critical at all, but...  That cheap Wally World parachute cord imitation is not good stuff.  Check the working load.  I doubt its more than 50 pounds.  Get you some real military spec cord.  It will be much safer.  Your skills are inspiring!

[RGK]

Thanks, I will do that.

[Shakes.602]

OUTSTANDING WORK!!!  

[Rob DiStefano]

ttt!