First bow...did I ruin it?

[Dave Bowers]

Fellas I was cutting out my handle this morning and I think i cut a bit too much out. Do you think its ruined or does it still have a chance?
I have already started thinning the limbs more to try and alleviate any possible breakage issues.

What do you guys think?

Try not to look too much at the bad lines    
Back view
 

Front View
 

Side view
 

[Pat B]

It looks pretty narrow to me, especially where you dished out the belly side for your hand. How long is your bow?  You might be able to cut the stave at the handle and splice it back together.
  The handle and tips are always the last thing I mess with when building bows. These areas don't need to be done before final tiller. When it is time to shape the handle I draw it out and use a rasp to work to the lines then do final shaping and fitting with easy rasp work and sanding.

[Cody Roiter]

what kind of wood did u make it from...

[Dave Bowers]

Thanks Fellas, my bow measure 72 inches tip to tip and is made with Maple for the limbs and poplar for the riser. I shoulda went with my gut and did the handle last. But I had read that you could do either or. Worst case scenario it'll be a learning experience.

[Cody Roiter]

well my friend all u can do is keep working on it and see how she comes out....

Cody

[Dick in Seattle]

I don't have the bow experience of the other guys here, but I've worked wood a lot, and that looks awfully narrow for the force and leve***e you'll be applying.   Whatever else you do, wear a bike helmet when you string and draw it.  Getting conked on the head isn't a learning experience you need!

[Dave Bowers]

I put up some measurements of the thin parts that are in question.

[Roy Steele]

To narrow for my poundage.But a 35,40 pounds at 72"s should make it.Give it a try and see.

[Dave Bowers]

Originally posted by Roy Steele:
To narrow for my poundage.But a 35,40 pounds at 72"s should make it.Give it a try and see.

Hey, I could deal with that for my first as long as I could get it too work I would be happy.  

[Art B]

Do you still have you cut-out scrapes? If you do then just glue back in place and re-layout your handle. ART B

[Dave Bowers]

Thanks for the advice all. Believe it or not this bow started out as just a D shaped bow. But like most things I do I start to see how I can make thing s a bit better..kinda runin before walkin I did a bit more reshaping the limbs and some floor tillering. Things might be ok; the bow seems to be bending and I don't hear or feel any creeking or crack yet. I guess I'll just have to see what happens

[Eric Krewson]

Just start gluing in thin strips until you have enough to shape correctly.

 

Shaped

 

[Dave Bowers]

Originally posted by Eric Krewson:
Just start gluing in thin strips until you have enough to shape correctly.

Hey I didn't even think of that    I think I'll give that a whirl this week.

Thanks  

[Eric Krewson]

When I have an irregular spot to fill I cut an 1/8" strip, heat it with a heat gun and clamp in place. when it cools I remove the clamp, apply glue and re-clamp. I get a really nice fit this way. I only use urac in my bow making.

[Glenn Newell]

I would do as Eric suggested on the sides as this works very well and makes it stronger I think. I would just cut the glued on handle section off altogether and start again. I don't likr to use a block handle like that anymore, I much prefer to layer the handles on as I don't have any trouble with them wanting to pop off. I would doubt you would have any trouble saving that one, itmight turn out to be a happy mistake...Glenn...  
 

[tim-flood]

Glenn that is really nice looking!!!!

[Glenn Newell]

Thanks Tim. The timber is a eucalyptus from North Queensland. I just cut laminations of 50thou and glued laminations of vertical bamboo flooring 30thou between for contrast. Bow is in the rough state there but shooting...Glenn...
 

[Dave Bowers]

Thanks for the help all; I'm in the middle of repairing it now. So far so good.