First R/D longbow out of the oven! UPDATE

[Apex Predator]

I glued up my first R/D longbow last nite.  Just thought I would share part of the journey with you folks.  This one is being built for a friend with his help.  He wanted to have a part in it's construction.  He was by my side as we glued her up and tucked her away in the oven for the night.  We are shooting for 66" and 45-50@28.  The riser is osage and grenadillo.  The limbs have a boo core and zebra on the faces.  She cooked for 4 hours last night and this is what I found after unclamping.  I'm excited!

 

 

 

 

 

[Apex Predator]

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't build a great bow with this simple type of form with rubber innertubes for clamping.  I have been very pleased with the results.  Perfect glue lines and not a single air bubble on this one!

Stay tuned for more progress tonight.

 

 

 

 

[TNstickn]

Lookin really good Marty!! Thanks for your pics and post, they really fire me up! Great looking profile, cant wait for more.

How do you like the fuller plast, was it easy to spray through the air brush? Does it really dry in 15-30 mins?! We have similar weather as you do and I hate waiting so long on everything to dry because of the humidity. Im kinda rough on stuff hunting. I do alot of walking through really thick stuff and scratch up everything I have tried. I hear the FP is virtually bullet proof as far as wear and tear goes. Thanks-Greg

[Apex Predator]

The fullerplast is wonderful.  I can re-coat within 30 min every time.  It feels dry after 15-20 min, but I want to make sure.  I have sanded it after 30 minutes.  No problem.  I spray four coats with it thinned 50% on the riser, tips, and limb edges.  After a few hours I sand it mostly off.  This fills the pores of the wood nicely.  Four coats of finish after that, with the last coat holding the sprayer far enough away that it leaves a really nice matte frosted finish.  I'll try a close-up photo, but it may be too large.

 

[kennym]

Looks great Marty,you're kickin serious butt on these bows. Tell us how ya like the r/d vs strait when you get it done!!

[TNstickn]

Sweet! That looks awesome! I'm gonna give it a try. Thanks Bro. I'm waiting on dyed boo to dry then I'm gonna lay it up in the form today.

Kenny, I know your ready!!! Just a couple weeks left! I think I'm going to Laurel Hill WMA on the 20th. They open bow, (9 pts or better) a week before the regular season here in TN. I'm soooo ready I can't hardly stand it!!

You guys are great!  

[Bjorn]

Way to go Apex! Beautiful job!!

[ChristopherO]

Marty,
That is just great!  Hey, I think I recognize that riser design, too!  That idea of using washers to keep everything lined up is a stroke of genius.  What a time saver.  
I made my first full weight BBOO tri-lam bow this past week.  Still have to finish up the handle area and such but the lack of hand shock with this design is so different from the Martin Pioneer relex longbow I'm used to shooting.  Like Kenny said above, let us know your thoughts on the straight vs R/D.

[vermonster13]

Excellent so far!

[Bowferd]

Marty, Another excellent job. Keep rolling them out like this and you won't have any time for your other job.
Fred

[TroyH]

I may give a form like that a try.  I made a form to use with a firehose, but it has certain drawbacks.  Your form looks so simple and appears to have worked well.

[Apex Predator]

Here are some updated photos for you folks.  This morning my buddy Scott came over and we did quite a bit of work.  I profiled the limbs while I was waiting for him.  Max width is 1 3/8".  I drew a straight line from a point 3" outside the fades to 3/4" tips.  I then measured half way down the working limb and drew another line from there to 1/2" tips.  I like the profile.  I cut in some rough side nocks and put a string on her.  I expected more of a "D" shape, but like the strung profile.  This string is a little short and the brace was just over 7".  I expect it should be closer to 6 3/4", but tuning will find the sweet spot.  Here are some photos of Scott and the bow, and a couple more with the grip shaping that we did.

 

 

 

 

 

She shoots like a dream!  She is a real screamer and I still have to trap the belly!  I have the tip overlays cooking now.  I should have some updates tomorrow evening.

[buckhuck]

Cool bow, tks for sharing.
BH

[kennym]

Looks great Marty!!  

[Apex Predator]

Kenny, he really likes the zebra lams!

[kennym]

I thought they had super contrast! Glad you guys like em!

[TNstickn]

Great lookin bow, cant wait to see some finished pics. I know your buddy is gonna be real proud of that bow! Whats the draw weight comeing in at?

[JEFF B]

awesome dude!!

[Apex Predator]

Last night I finished cutting the string grooves and trapped the belly slightly.  This morning I sanding everything through 220.  I will spray the sealing coat on tonight.

 

 

 

[b.glass]

Beautiful Apex!!