First One Is Started

[D.A. Davis]

Jason,
It's only about 1/16" deep, and only the glass is lifted.  I'm thinking that after removing the excess material from the limbs, and then sanding it down to where it should be, most of this will be gone.  I agree I made my fades to short.  Since this is my first, I was hoping for no problems, but was expecting to find blemishes that would require me getting help from the more experienced bowyers.  It's a learning experience.  I would like to shoot the bow for awhile, though.

D.A.

[Trux Turning]

Fill the gap and finish- it may work out ok- the only experiance I have with that type of fade is from other posts I've read.  http://www.piratesofarchery.net/bb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9744

[Apex Predator]

I think you have something trapped under the glass, or between the lams.  Maybe a fly?  

[Robertfishes]

Like Trux I try to make a long thin fades. this is a pic of bow I built in March..bottom pic is the next build, I mades fades a little longer    

[D.A. Davis]

Here are some pictures. As you can see by comparing the screwdriver point that the gap is only about 1/16", or less, deep. You can also see the amount of lift there is compared to the other side.

 

 

 

 

 

[D.A. Davis]

Also, I see that I missed a flat spot on my form. As you can see in the pictures, the lower limb has a flat spot and doesn't curve as smoothly as the upper. I'm hoping that after the excess limb material has been cut away, the flat spot won't be as bad.

 

 

 

 

 

[D.A. Davis]

And one last thing, I worked real hard at finding the center of the riser and used that to determine the center line thru the limbs. It appears that my limbs have a little run out on them, but there's plenty of limb material to finish the bow.

 

 

[D.A. Davis]

Well, I can see enough mistakes in this bow that most any respectable bowyer would probably use it for firewood, but since it's my first, I think I'll finish it, and see what of the problems I can fix.

I do have a question about the limbs. How far down toward the fades can you go when tapering the limbs? Do you go as far as the taper will take you? If I can do that, the bad spot on my limb would be part of the removed material.

Anyway, give me all the input you can. Looks like it's supposed to rain all weekend here, so I'll have three full days, except when I grilling burgers and dogs at both my Mother's and Mother-in-law's houses on Monday. I guess I better make that two full days.

Oh, at least my glue lines look good. You can give me that, can't you.

D.A.

[michbowhunter]

I would finish it...at least you will get the practice in for the next one!  Shaping the bow itself is an art, and you may want to change a few things on the next one.  Good luck

[Apex Predator]

Wear some good personal protective equipment when drawing that one.  I'd bet she will blow at the end of that one fade, or maybe both fades.  You need to make your fadeouts longer and thinner.  

 

[D.A. Davis]

Thanks for the advice Apex.  I plan on taking on my next build.  In my own defense, I was using a Bingham's plan. and the pattern was for the fades I have.  I'll have to revise my pattern.

D.A.

[Apex Predator]

I'm sure Binghams intends you to thin the fades.  I have riser patterns I have made, and you can't even cut them to final shape or they would break.  Here is my pattern traced on a riser.  

 

[bjansen]

I would get some thin superglue and keep dropping it in on your fade until it is filled in...(and keep that screwdriver out of there..haha).  It does seem like something got caught in there during the glue up but hopefully you never find out for sure.

[Robertfishes]

could he add a power lam to belly to add strength to the limb at fade??

[D.A. Davis]

Well, my bows coming right along. The bad spot on the upper limb at the tip of the fade has gotten considerably smaller. Now it's a small hole that's less than 1/8" long and about 1/16", or less, deep. I don't know whether to try a get some Smooth-On down into it, or some thin Super Glue. It would be considerably easier to get the thin Super Glue down into it. I think it's going to be near impossible to get the Smooth-On down into it. I've been working on the riser. I plan on putting a leather wrap on the riser, so I'm trying to get the riser down to where it'll be just the right size for me with the leather on it. I think since my fades came out short, my grip and shelf came out long.

I need to put the riser accents and limb accents at the riser on next, and then I'll be ready to begin the tillering process.

Here's some pictures of my progress so far.

 

 

 

 

 

[walkabout]

love the grip on this bow, hope it turns out ok for you, itll sure be a beauty.

[Robertfishes]

to make super glue flow better I have let the tube sit in hot water with top above waterline for a few minutes, then apply to crack slowly so it wicks in by capillary action

[D.A. Davis]

Well, I've added some accents to the riser.  I decided to use Smooth-On.  I've had the bow riser under heat curing the Smooth-On.  The heats off now.  I'm just waiting for it to cool down, so I can start working on it again.  I made a make-shift heat box for the riser.  All it is is two 125W Heat lamps surrounded by reflective insulation.  It kept the riser at a toasty 130 degrees.  Here's a couple pics.

 

 

[D.A. Davis]

Well, I've got my accents on the riser, and now the only thing left to do is tiller the bow.  This will be a real learning experience for me.  On my accents, I put some linen phenolic behind a layer of Osage Orange on the back of the riser.  Then I put a layer of Osage Orange behind a layer Of Walnut on the limbs on the belly of the riser.  I'm afraid that my linen phenolic is probably a little too thick, but it's all I had.  After I get it tillered, I'll put some more linen phenolic with walnut and Osage on the limb tips.  Here's some pics of my riser with the accents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[eman614]

it is turning into a very nice looking bow. i hate the the glue lines at the fade are not better than they are. i would definately take the others advice, and fill that little hole in with super glue. on the next one i would do like apex suggested and thin the fade.  it makes for a better all around bow (looks and durability) i hope she works out for you when you get ready to shoot.

eric