St Jude Auction Bows are Underway

[Dan Bonner]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Dan Bonner]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The vasaline acts as a release agent. make sure you use it or your 3pc will become a 1pc.

[Dan Bonner]

then let it sit for at least 4 hours if it is real hot in the shop (it was)
 
remove bolt.
 
Karate chop to the back of the limb.
 
 
the limbs will only go on one way from now on. Perfectly straight!
 
 
Thats all for tonight.

[Dan Bonner]

then let it sit for at least 4 hours if it is real hot in the shop (it was)
 
remove bolt.
 
Karate chop to the back of the limb.
 
 
the limbs will only go on one way from now on. Perfectly straight!
 
 
Thats all for tonight.

[Dan Bonner]

sorry for the double post.

Bonner

[RedMan37]

I wish I never looked at this. I'm not worthy! This is absolutely mind blowing craftsmanship. I feel incredibly under talented and equally impressed. Even if I had all those different saws and attachments I don't think I would know how to do most of this! I love it! Truly inspirational!

[Dan Bonner]

Thanks Robert. I appreciate the kudos but don't know if it is really deserved. I hope that this BA helps some folks a little. I really don't have very sophisticated equipment just a tablesaw, bandsaw, cheap belt sander and drill press. The rest are all $30-40 harbor freight hand power tools. There are lots of professionals using bunches of jigs and CNC equipment that are much more precise than I am. I think that where I might be able to help other amateurs is with tricks to get good results with modest tools.

Bonner

[Horne Shooter]

Looks great Dan.  

I enjoyed helping out with the kids at St. Jude's but (I have to admit) this bow is a pretty nice bonus for doing so!

Having the bow will be great, getting to watch it come together is making it that much better.

If you donate another bow next year, I may not be able to afford it after everyone has seen your work!

[Dan Bonner]

Paul, I'm planning on doing this every year, Lord willing. I only hope the next bows go for a good price too. I finished my last case about 5 min ago. Headed to the shop to spray finish on your bow and do some experimenting to see what arrows it likes. I just have to pull to my normal draw and then stretch another 2 inches to mimic your draw.

Bonner

[Dan Bonner]

New bow needs a string. This one is 8125 with double padded loops. Red and black as per the eventual owner. Its a ten strand double with double padded loops.
 
 
 
 
This one came out right on the money. 1/2 inch over target brace height with only 10 twists. Rod Jenkins told me a few years back that a good string shouldnt require more than a dozen twists to make brace height. Keeps weight low.
 
Now it needs some serving. First I mark the lowest point where the string could contact the shooters arm. then I go 2.5" over square for the top of the serving. I like to keep the serving to the absolute minimum to save weight and noise.It really helps if you have a cookie made by Ellie Creps and her mama for the St Jude auction while you work.
 
This leather sewing needle is perfect for seperating the string bundles and keeping the string from twisting as you wrap a tight serving.
 
 

[Dan Bonner]

I believe fishermans wool yarn makes the absolute best silencers available. Very light too which makes the string more quiet and keeps it off the shooters arm. I have been using this $9.00 roll for 5 years now.
 
 
25 wraps around my fingers seems about right.
 
 
 
I measure down about a quarter of the way from each end and seperate each bundle rather than between them. This keeps the yarn from moving and gives it better contact with the string.
 
 
 

[Dan Bonner]

Have your lovely assistant and her assistant pluck the string a few times to fluff the yarn.
 
Tie on some nocks and go shoot a few arrows.
Wwhisper quiet!

[Dan Bonner]

There's my lovely assistant!
 
Will be spraying finish tomorrow.
Bonner

[Al Dean]

Thanks for sharing with us.  I feel I have learned a load of new ideas and techniques.  Excellent.

[Horne Shooter]

Good to see my girl Beth Ann in the pictures!

[Dan Bonner]

The shop had that new bow smell today.
 
 
 
 while the bow was drying I got started on Pauls arrows.
 
 
 
 
 

[Dan Bonner]

 
 
i sand off most of the first coat of finish to level out the wood grain
 
 
 
 
 

[Dan Bonner]

 
Pauls bow is done.
 
 
 
 
 
Aanother of my lovely assistants models the bow.
 

[TrainingWheelsOff]

The bow looks awesome and a great picture story.  A shout out to my friend Horne Shooter who has given me good advice as I've taken the training wheels off of my archery.  The Abowyers are flying like field points.  Deer season can't get here quick enough!

[TrainingWheelsOff]

The bow looks awesome and a great picture story.  A shout out to my friend Horne Shooter who has given me good advice as I've taken the training wheels off of my archery.  The Abowyers are flying like field points.  Deer season can't get here quick enough!