Author Topic: Another billet question? (Read 839 times)

stringstretcher · « **on:** January 16, 2012, 02:47:00 PM »

When making a bow from billets, how many of you use billets that are not thick enough at the handle without gluing on a handle after the splice?

The reason I am asking is I have a lot of osage that can be made into billets, but some will only give me a back that is about 2" acorss with the height only be about 2" at most down to the v where it split. And I don't want to wast this osage if at all possible.

Pat B · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2012, 03:06:00 PM »

You have plenty enough thickness and width to buils a spliced bow with having to add a riser.

Art B · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2012, 03:51:00 PM »

Adding a handle piece is no big deal if needed Charles. It can be done before the splice or after.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2012, 04:01:00 PM »

Charlie, all that Osage is no good for bows. Just send it up to me:)

stringstretcher · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2012, 04:43:00 PM »

I got three boxes of shavings already packed for you roy. How about a compressed osage shaving bow

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2012, 04:48:00 PM »

Sounds good, send them and I'll build ole Arty a compressed Osage bow:)

stringstretcher · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2012, 05:18:00 PM »

On the way. This I have got to see... :eek:

Art B · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:05:00 PM »

Works for me Roy! I'll make one of my fancy strings and let Charles be the first to try it out. He's wanting one of my bows anyhow. Yes sir, works out real good!!!?

stringstretcher · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:10:00 PM »

OH no....I am on the hit list....lol

Art B · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:11:00 PM »

My strings are perfectly safe Charles, LOL!

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:13:00 PM »

And I'll use good glue, Charlie:)

stringstretcher · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:14:00 PM »

Well I have never had any "REASON" to doubt you yet

Art B · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:23:00 PM »

Good glue, good string, yep, you're in great hands

!

stringstretcher · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:24:00 PM »

Trying to read that fine print here... :eek: :eek:

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:01:00 PM »

I think he is skeered, Art:)

stringstretcher · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:08:00 PM »

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2012, 09:38:00 AM »

I always add a glued on handle to my billet bows. This way I can add some exotic wood with really interesting grain to enhance the bows look.

I leave 1" thickness in the handle area and glue another inch of wood to shape into the finished handle. I only use urac for gluing on handles and make sure I have a good fit on both pieces before I glue.

Here is an osage bow with an osage burl piece glued on ready for the leather. In this case I had less than a inch of billet wood to work with so I built up the handle area with two thin strips of osage that I feathered into the limb. The handle is less likely to pop off with the pieces feathered into the limb.

Another tip; if you glue on a rest, feather out the part that will be under the leather like the one in the picture so it won't show. I see a lot of big humps under the handle leather that serve no purpose, look ugly and don't need to be there.

One more thing and I will shut up; On this set of billets I was a little short on wood to make my typical bulbous handle. What you see on the handle in the middle is super glue and sawdust to build up the handle. One layer of super glue, a sprinkle of sawdust, more super glue, more sawdust etc. It hardens almost instantly and can be filed to any shape you want.

Finished.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2012, 03:40:00 PM »

Knock it off Eric..

I am trying to convince Charlie into sending me all of his Osage:) LOL

Very nice bow Eric..

stringstretcher · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2012, 04:36:00 PM »

Nope Roy. Eric just made my day. Now to get all that shavings boxed up. Might have to ship by boat...lol

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2012, 05:04:00 PM »

Well Charlie, just this past Sunday I had a rookie in my bow shop. Turned him loose on the band saw to cut out his Hickory stave. Well I should have paid closer attention to him, as he almost made a takedown:) So we got around it by gluing on a curly maple handle. I think it's gonna look cool.

News:

Author Topic: Another billet question? (Read 839 times)

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