Lets Build a Takedown Bow From Start To Finish

[Matt Moline]

Thanks! Guys please ask questions if you need more info.  We are all here to learn, so please let me know if you need me to elaborate in any section of this.

[Matt Moline]

Well, while one of the bow limbs are cooking lets move on to the riser.  I saw a design that I fell in love with a long time ago and always wanted a bow like it.  Well good thing I make bows, because I am going to be me making it!

I am going to be using Paduak and Rock Maple for the riser.  I am also going to be using some black and white phenolic for some added strength and for looks.        

 

I use 21 deg. angles on the limb pads and use a jig on the table saw so cut them out.  just square up saw blade before cutting and you will be good to go.

I cut out my pattern on the ban saw and made my blank where my maple will be going.  

 

 

Now that is done, I am going to be using this scrap piece and cut some 1/4" pieces for the decretive inlay I will be adding to the maple portion of the bow.

 

I went and stacked it before I glue it up so you can see where were are going with this project.  Alright time to get messy again.

 

Again I only have two hands so I glued each part with Smooth-On epoxy and clamped it with a couple of bar clamps.

[Matt Moline]

Alright once that part is all good and glued up its time to get it cut out roughly and make sure that it will be 1/4" off the part of the Paduak.  We need this 1/4" gap because we need to make room for the white and black 1/8" strips of phenolic that will be in the middle of the riser.

The way I do this is to first get my first part of the riser sanded up and looking good. Once this is done, you can take a 1/4" offset wheel and use it to offset your trace of the cut out section onto the maple block.  

You can buy these here
 http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=50272&cat=1,42936,50298&ap=1

 

You then can cut out your maple section and get it sanded to fit.

 


I already did a dry fit with my phenolic pieces but wanted to show you where I am going with this.

 

Alright some more glue and clamps and we will be ready to cut the limp pads!

[Matt Moline]

Alright I got it cleaned up a bit and this is starting to look good. There are two gaps just at the end of the riser but this is no worry as this will be cut off.

 


 


What is next is to cut the limb pads and then add some more phenolic to the pads.  I cut my riser limb pads to 21 degrees with a table saw jig that I use.  Sorry didn't take a photo of that.

 


I add some black phenolic to the limb pads and also some white to the bow limbs.  I like using phenolic like this because I have found that it makes a great mating surface for the two parts.

 

 


Once those are glued on I mask off the pads and find center of the riser.  I draw a line all the way down and make sure it is good and center.

Now comes the fun part. I always cringe when it comes to alining the holes but if you just take your time you will get it right.  

I always start with a small drill bit and work my way up.  This allows me to stay center and not have to worry about the drill bit from drifting off the center point.  I have used the Bingham's Drilling Jib but have found myself ready to throw it against the wall as I have never gotten it to aline right.

I just center up the drill bit and work my way up to larger bits until I get to where I need to be and this has worked well for me.

 

We then need to get the pins set and tap the holes for threads.  

 

 

[Matt Moline]

Like a said earlier I like to add phenolic to the limbs as well.  I just cut it to the same length as the pads on the riser and glue them on.  I just use my oven to let them set up quickly.

 

 

After we the the bushings and pins in its time to put this together and start getting it tillered. She is starting to look like a bow at this point and it is really easy to just rush and just try to get it finished.  As a rule I make sure that my limb twist and other limb issues are taken care of at this point so that I don't miss anything.


 


I use a string to line up my limbs and make sure that I am on center.  I am a little off on this side up some light sanding will bring this back into place.

 


Grab your tillering stick and check for any limb twist.  I had a little bit but was able to correct it with a little sanding.

 

Now I wanted to add some more phenolic to the front of my riser. I went ahead and cut it out and glued it up again.

 

Now were are getting somewhere!

 

[Matt Moline]

Next I went to town on the riser and forgot to take some photos of my shaping process.  But here are some photos to show you where I get at this point of a build.

 

 

 

 

[Matt Moline]

Now its time to get the limbs lightly sanded and get the tip overlays on.  Again sorry for the lack of photos!    :bang head:  

I then hand sand the bow down all the way down to 400 grit sandpaper and then seal it and then add about 5 to 6 coats of True Oil Finnish to it.  

Here are a few photos of it.

 

 

[MoeM]

Great, the woods go perfect together and the stripes are awesome- as I`m a bowyer myself and felt in love with it too I think I got another project on my list...
What do use as sealer/filler- the birchwood`s?

[Matt Moline]

The sealer is birch woods. as a filler I actually use CA glue aka super glue.  This has always been my go to with woods that have a little more oil in them.

[Matt Moline]

Well after that there is nothing left to do but get this thing assembled and shoot it!

Here are some finished photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Matt Moline]

 

 

 


And there you have it! Anyone have questions?

[carpin'mark]

Really nice job Matt, I like the riser, great concept with the accents.

[Draffish]

Wow awesome job you've got me twitching now to have a go at those strips lovely job well done    
What were the final specks for this bow if you don't mind me asking.

[Sam Harper]

Beautiful bow! Thanks for the build along.

[Dmaxshawn]

good looking bow. And fine job.  thanks

[chackworth3]

Good looking bow!  Cool riser accents

[Matt Moline]

Thanks guys! The bows final specks where 62" #53 lbs. @ 28".  Its a good little shooter.

[DeerBacon]

great job!!!!

[BMN]

Great bow and build along! Thanks for sharing.    

[bjansen]

Thanks for taking the time to do that.  Looks great!