Newbie!!

[baby_bowyer]

Here is my first attempt at carving a bow.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2a6fdKH-o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I started out with a 4 inch white oak sapling, and now I have it BASICALLY floor tillered.  I'm going to let it dry at this point, even though it has a bit of twist at one end.  Once I finish it up, I'll post a pic.

I'm doing this to practice and get ready for a sweet looking hickory tree that fell.  THAT'S about 14 inches in diameter and I may be able to get 2-3 logs to split from it.

Question:  at this point, how long do I need to wait to dry, so I can finish?

[Osagetree]

When was it cut? You might want to seal the back and let it set for 6 months if it was recently cut. If that is the case,,, it may check (drying cracks)through as it dries!

[baby_bowyer]

I cut it on Monday, 2 days ago & left the bark on.

As I have understood, you could leave the bark on the back until you were ready to finish, thereby skirting the need to seal it.

Oh well, I did spray a bunch of Paint on the nock ends.

[baby_bowyer]

Lesson 1:

Even on a sapling bow, once you have the basic shape down, IMMEDIATELY seal the thing and let it slowly dry.

After 1 day under my bed, the handle section has split almost all the way down to the limbs.  

I'm going to let it finish drying, then remove the cracked section, finish shaping and tillering then work on planing the middle section to take some wood for a handle.  If the limbs survive this lesson, it's going to be a sort of hybrid D bow.

[Osagetree]

You should really let that hickory dry after splitting it. It'll take a year or so but the wait is worth it.  
Do some searching and reading here on TG about how to make a selfbow. All the info you need is right here! If you try on trial and error alone, it's gonna take you a long time to figure it out.

[baby_bowyer]

Oh, I had already planned on taking care of the hickory.  I was just getting a feel for the axe, how to do the shaping, etc.

Luckily, I work from home most days.  I am constantly in and out, watching the computer, taking meetings.  It's Wednesday, and I've only got one log cut and haven't even split it yet for sealing.  Would it work just to seal the ends, or is it better to split then seal everything?

[Osagetree]

An un-sealed log can check in a day or two!

Split it, peel off the bark and then seal the ends and back only. Leave the belly open to let it dry out. Store in a cool, dry place for a year or so. You might even apply a little insect spray on it to keep out the wood borer bugs that can turn it into swiss cheese in no time.

You gotta get a draw knife unless you're just dead set on using an axe alone. Most refer to those made with only an axe as a hatchet bow; very primitive indeed!

[baby_bowyer]

I'm hitting PA Dutch country on Monday!  And it's payday, too!

Any recommendations for forgers in ********* area?  Or antique shops that deal with tools?

[baby_bowyer]

Ugh!  Privacy screens!

Let's try "Lank" "A$ter"

[baby_bowyer]

If anyone knows, I could use an answer:

On the hatchet bow I started, the handle has cracked while drying.  The crack has not entered the limbs, in fact, it runs lengthwise down the handle, such that the part that woul have been carved to fit my palm, with a little work, could be popped off, creating more of a D bow.  About a half inch to 3/4 still rises above te limbs for an obvious handle.

Should I take that cracked piece off, or just leave it on for a sacrificial chunk, while the limbs are still drying?

[Roy from Pa]

For your first bow I would start with a board bow of red oak. You can get that at a lumber yard. Here is a very good link to help you with your first bow build.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000122

[baby_bowyer]

Eh, I'm already committed.  I've got a hatchet bow, drying and just got some cheapy wood rasps today.

I decided to give it till next Saturday before I hit it again, at which point I will have a draw knife to shape and can rasp it down afterwards.

This is just to practice with the tools anyway.  Next weekend I will be processing a (roughly) 25 foot hickory log into staves and will set them aside for next year.  14 in diameter at the top of the log:  how many staves could I expect out of three 8 footers?  Or 4  6's?

Between that point and next year I'm planning board bows and more sapling bows (1 of my girls wants to learn).

[Roy from Pa]

I would go for the 6 footers and you will get many. 40 at least I would guess. Take the bark off them right away, it will peel right off now and that will be the back of your bow.

[baby_bowyer]

Well, for my hatchet bow, I can already tell I made the tip on one side too thin.  It bends both ways.

Looks like it might be a horse now when I get done with it because of the tip.  I've already seen what a good all around cross section would be.  One limb tillers REAL nice.

Tomorrow after apple pickIng, I'm going to measure how far that hingy part is from the center and see how short I will need
To make the other limb.

[baby_bowyer]

Oh, yeah.  I removed the split in the handle, but it still looks pretty good.  Video lInk tomorrow-ish.

[baby_bowyer]

Decided to forego the video for now.  Had to cut 3 inches from each limb due to a reduction accident.  Still going thru with it.

Leaving the bark on for tillering, but will have to back it with fiberglass later.

[baby_bowyer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgRHUwheLcI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I just couldn't resist!  Got some more shaping to do...