My fourth bow (build-along), Crrrraaaaackkk

[Shaun]

Scrolling through this for the first time and when I got to the pic of the cut in shelves I winced. Not enough wood there unless it was really wide front to back. Take a look at a glass bow and the thickness at the shelf front to back - thickest part of the bow. The most force is applied near the handle at the end of the lever (limb) and that is where it needs to be strongest.

[Don Drake]

Shaun,

Good observation.  I have three other bows with this same design and I have shot hundreds of arrows with all three.  The difference here is, I got in a hurry and was not paying attention and reversed the bow.  I usually have a 3" fade starting at the cut in shelves which keeps the bow pretty thick at that point.  This time, I thought I was working on the lower limb and only cut in a one inch fade which made it way too weak at the shelf.

[Don Drake]

I am wondering if I can keep the lower limb, get another billet and use it for a take down bow.  What do you guys think?

[wildcat hunter]

Hey Nephi, why not make a steel bow!

[Don Drake]

Wildcat, I just can't find the right springs!!

[KellyG]

Don that wood would not be a complete waste you know. You could thin it or cut it with table saw or band saw, and make backing strips or belly lams. Just a brain storm.

[Don Drake]

KellyG,

Good suggestions, but I don't have any electrical tools other than a drill and a jig saw.  I was thinking about offering the pieces up if someone could use them.

 

 

The longest piece is about 33" and the shortest about 30".

The big piece is 1/2" wide at the tip and 1.5" at its widest point.  Its 1.5" thick at the tip and and begins tapering about 8" below the handle to about 3/4" thick.

The smaller piece is a fairly consistent .75" thick the entire length and is 1/2" wide at the tip and about 1 3/8" near the handle.

If anybody wants them, let me know and I will see about getting them to you.

[KellyG]

don,
use your jig saw too rip it the length. then sand it  down to the thickness you want. I am just brain storming.
Kelly

[Shaun]

I have made bows from broken pieces. Next time you break a bow you will have two limbs with handles and can make a "W" splice in the middle and have a good bow blank.

[George Tsoukalas]

Don,  I cut in a shelf with a saw years ago with the same results for the same reason yours broke. I stopped the practice. I'll use a leather shelf now or just let the arrow rest on my hand.  I don;t want my bows looking like FG bows anyway.    Jawge

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Looks like a good candidate for a handle splice and a backing to me.