1st Tri Complete...Pretty Happy!

[Roy from Pa]

All that to stain a stupid bow?    LOL

[takefive]

Fine looking bow, John.  Really like the strung profile and the stain pattern on the back.  Don't listen to Roy, he's prob'ly just jealous.  

[Black Mockingbird]

Upper limb is stiffer and has a subtle flat spot mid limb

[Zradix]

It sure does look that way Blackmockingbird.

It followed the line on the tree.
I was lucky to be able to get it anywhere near a usable draw weight.
Got to the point of.."if I can get this thing to follow the line and not have any bad hinges I'll have to call it good"

From what I hear...if that line is followed, the limbs don't have to have the same bend..just no hinges...

Seems to shoot fine..maybe next time I'll do better.

[Zradix]

Thanks for the comments guys.

[fujimo]

very cool, that dye job looks so much like a curly wood pattern. very good job all  round.              
this 'following the line' technique sure has upped the game in bow making- i am scared to make another wood bow now   :D

[Roy from Pa]

It is fine, John.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by BCWV:
Nice one John! I really like that stain pattern. I attempted something like that on a BBO but ended up taking it all off, mine looked like crap. You nailed it      

bamboo is a whole lot harder to stain than the hickory.
...the osage is reluctant enough as it is...

[Roy from Pa]

Use an alcohol base aniline dye stain and you will notice a big difference.

 http://woodworker.com/alcohol-soluble-brt-yellow-golden-oak-aniline-dye-mssu-845-541.asp?search=aniline  dye&searchmode=2

[Zradix]

definitely!
I tried oil based on some boo..lol..basically nothing..
...doesn't do that much to osage either.

I found if you acetone the osage a few times in succession and quickly apply oil stain you can get more color.

I don't like pulling the oils out more than needed though...so it's alcohol stain for me.

[Roy from Pa]

Alcohol stain is sweet, it dries in seconds and can be touched up very easily. Blends in nicely. If you want a darker finish, just keep going over it. If you get it too dark, 0000 steel wool takes it right off.

[LittleBen]

That came out really nice. I especially liek the material usaed for the tips.

How does she shoot? You going to kill something with that?

[Zradix]

It shot really well...fast too.
I planned on killing something with it.
..but the hickory let go. I had a bit too much of a hinge in the upper limb a few inches from the fades.

I'm planning another of very similar design...maybe just a couple inches longer.

That bow looked soooo stressed to me.

[fujimo]

you know- just a teeny weeny bit of glass on the belly and back will solve all your problems     :D        :D    

jus a kiddin Roy!

[Zradix]

oh yeah...the thought did cross my mind..lol

I was thinking a THIN fiberglass back, whatever core, and osage belly could be interesting...someday..maybe..

[LittleBen]

John,

I actually had some problems with white oak backing on a similar design.

Thats one of the reasons I've been moving towards the R/D profile. It helps to reduce surface tension on the backing and surface compression on the backing. Should make the bow a bit safer at a given width, length, and draw weight.

I'll get the pics up soon of one like yours I just finished, I went 60" long and 1.75" wide for a draw of only 25" and 45#.

I figure the few FPS I'd lose going wider is well worth the gain in safety. Since a wider bow takes less set, it's probably almost a wash in terms of speed.

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by Zradix:
oh yeah...the thought did cross my mind..lol

I was thinking a THIN fiberglass back, whatever core, and osage belly could be interesting...someday..maybe..

John  did the bow explode or just lift a splinter?

if it just lifted a splinter you might be able to save it with a bit of flax fiber on the back.

[Zradix]

cracked across grain from almost the edge to 1/3 the limb width.

Thought it was shallow.
Opened it up a bit with a stringer.
Filled/pressed in super glue.
Relaxed the bow..lots of glue oozed out..so I figured I got it pretty good.

about 12 hrs later I gently started pulling it back a little and relaxing..little more ..relaxing..etc.

got about 1/2 draw and kapow..3-4" each way and down into the core..

..she's pretty much toast.

Good idea though Ben..Thank you.

[fujimo]

man!! you are one resilient SOG!!
ya just dont quit- do you...
good on ya!!!      

[Zradix]

won't quit till my wallet or hands give out..right now my hands are      outta my wallet..