Osage first try (ding ding)

[SEMO_HUNTER]

That's great Kelly, at least you found some and you don't have to worry about returning them. I'd protect them like they were gold.

[KellyG]

Well I end up with 9 total, 4 with 10" gaps when fully open 4 with 8" and one 4.5" so I think I am in buisness. Like finding an oasis when your about to die of thurst.

[Pat B]

Your life just became a lot easier! d;^)

[KellyG]

lets hope so Pat now to make a caul to get some of that bend out.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Dude you got more clamps than I do!

He shoots.....He Scores!!  

[J. Holden]

I'm so excited for you Kelly.  I'm really happy to see your progress and ability to find the tools you need.  How cool is it gonna be to bring this bow home and kill something it?  I can't wait to see the finished project.  Keep it up Sarge!

-Jeremy  

[KellyG]

Thanks to the both of you. Well I still have 8 months to get it done. I think once it is done I will not shoot it much over the summer just to hot and dry for a selfbow. Then once it gets back to KS a week or so to get it back to hydration and check tiller.
Kelly

[hova]

lookin better every time i come in here .


funny you mention the Baghdad school of fly fishing , i read about it in a field and stream a while back , and always wanted to send some flies over. if i get back to tying , ill send you guys some.


-hov

[KellyG]

Hova if they only did only one article I am in it with the founder of BSFF he and I are holding a type of carp. Mine was really crooked, we caught them on chicken wing flies. My first and only invented fly.

[KellyG]

Ok to day I worked on trying to get the some more of that deflex out of the knotty limb.
Here is my score of clamps.
 
Here is the 4x4 I am using as form.
 
 I measured 30"  form the end and marked it, then measured to make the end 2" thick. Drew a straight line between the 30" mark and the 2" on and took the draw knife and took all the wood above that line off.  Here is the end result.
 
This just shows the tip and the 4" it will have to bend to get where I need it.
 
Heated and clamped, heck it is cooling now.
 
I will take it off some time tomorrow.
Thanks for looking,
Kelly

[Lee Slikkers]

Somehow I missed this thread over the past month or two, but just read it "cover to cover"...I really admire your resourcefulness and determination.  It really makes me think long and hard about "wishing" I had this tool or that tool or complaining that I don't have a decent enough work shop.

Very cool stuff...

[Pat B]

Dang Kelly you are uptown now! I wonder what the poor folks are doing? d;^)

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Yep it sure does Lee, makes you damn thankful to have what ya got.    

Keep up the good work Kelly!

[KellyG]

Ok I took it off the form and I don't see much improvement.  
Here it is on the tree remember this is after 5 heat treatments.
 
Here is the limb showing the previous marks and it is about the same when  I  compare the pics.
 
But here is a knot that is causing a dip in the limb. the knot is on one side and that side does not lay flat where as the other on does.
 
Ok do I try and go more on the drop say take another inch off on the end of my form to get the deflex out? I am unsure if I should try again maybe get for aggressive on the bend. I have to  get the tips closer  to center also but that can wait.
Oh it is not that bad,evertime I think man if only, I try to remember wath our primitive man had. Now granted he had the time but so do I.
Thanks for the help,
Kelly

[Pat B]

Kelly, get her on the tree and get her bending and see if each limb is bending evenly. Getting them to bend together will come next in this situation. Try to keep them somewhat together though. Once you have them bending well get her to a low brace if possible. If too much side to side themn you can concentrate on straightening that out.

[KellyG]

Ok Pat stop with the heat for now and leave that what is left of the natrual deflex in. Now I can make some curly wood. At least that is what I hopw you are saying.
Kelly

[Pat B]

Yeah Kelly. Once you get her bending nicely the wood will be thinner and should react better to heat bending. You just want to be sure you don't have any hinges in either limb.
  Make both limbs about the same thickness if you can. Your bow will be only as strong as the thinnest part of the limb so be careful.

[KellyG]

Will do pat thanks the knotty limb is weaker, so I will take less of it. So tomorrow I will make some curly wood.

[Pat B]

Get the stiffer limb pulling similar to the weaker one for now.

[KellyG]

Ok here is what I have done today I had 3 sessions of shaving and exercising the limbs. I took about 30 passes of the knotty one to get some movement out in the middle but that deflex area really makes it look like a bad hinge.
I took over 80 passes on the other limb it is the stiffer and still is. I am not taking any more of the knotty one.(for now)
*Note you may need sun glasses very white legs in the last PIC you have been warned*
Here is relaxed on the tree
 
First passes of about 30 on the twisted limb and 15 on the knotty
 
here it is after the last run, it is braced at about and 1"
 
Here I am Shaving some wood off
 
Is it ready for more heat or continue, oh it is about 12" draw right now. I will make a way to teast the weight later.
Thanks,
Kelly