Suggestions for a fun build

[WVbowhunter]

Would like some suggestions for a fun (and relatively cheap) bow build. Will do a build along for whatever I pick so let's hear the ideas guys. Thanks    

[jsweka]

If you're looking for cheap, red oak board bow or PVC bow.

Or how about a hickory self bow.  I've had a hankerin' to try building one myself for a while.

[Pat B]

Can't get much cheaper than what jsweka suggested and any would be fun to build. I'm kind of partial to selfbows.

[Dan Landis]

James, What materials do you have?  Board bows are cheap if you can find a good board.  Staves will cost more, unless you have access to cut your own, but will take longer to dry.  I agree with Pat, kinda partial to selfbows.

[WVbowhunter]

I've got some black locust staves that I have had in the corner for a couple months as well as some hickory I've had for over a year.

[passion for knowledge]

I thought building a bow was, just for the sake of doing it, fun.

I'd have to say that even the ones that broke were fun - until they broke!

Not just bows - I try to make as much of what I use, myself, as I can.

Arrows, strings and what not.

I live near Lake Ontario and right now the geese are shedding wing feathers like crazy. I'm picking 'em up nearly as fast!

In the process of trying to make a new stringer for my new bow. If it works out, I'm taking photos.

I'll post if all goes well.

There's no better feeling than shooting arrows you've made off a bow of the same origin and hitting your target!

[WVbowhunter]

I love making bows, and have never made on that wasn't fun. In truth I was hoping that not only would I get some new ideas, but also maybe jump start the creativity of some of those who look at this forum without taking the leap and building their own. Plus I just love seeing what ideas everyone can come up with. And good luck with the stringer man, I look forward to seeing it when it's finished.

[mikkekeswick]

The easiest bow to make is  pyramid flatbow. Eg. one where the widest part is right out of the fades and then the width tapers in a straight line to the nocks. The reason being that bows like this need very little thickness tapering/tillering. I can make one in about 30 mins    The performance will be right up there too.

[passion for knowledge]

Nice thing about making bows is you don't need a lot of equipment, just patience.

Here are all the tools I used for my most recent bow these and sandpaper.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=013702

What part of UK, mikkekeswick? Is there a clue in the name?

I was born in Warrington. Went to Uni in Sheffield. Moved to Canada in '88

[passion for knowledge]

Curses, forgot to add the image!

 https://postimg.org/image/4gu9rzkjv/

[passion for knowledge]

Here's the stringer.

I cycle everywhere these days. I find all kinds of stuff by the side of the road! I've picked up 2 pairs of tin snips, dozens of bungies, wrenches. I found a pretty decent filleting knife close to a fishing spot car park last week.

I found one of those big rubber suspension stops off an unknown vehicle. As soon as I saw it, I knew what it was going to become.

I cut it with a coping saw, as the rubber tends to grip wider blades. Drilled a hole in the middle to accommodate a piece of metal tube, to spread the load, and pressed it in - made sure it didn't go completely to the edge so it wouldn't cut the paracord I used.

Sanded the overall shape. Started rough went smoother at the end, as usual with sandpaper.

The pouch is made from the thumb off a pair of pigskin work gloves from the local dollar store. The pouch only holds things in place, the cord takes all the strain. I twisted the cord over itself in the middle of the pouch so that it doesn't close up so easily.

Easy to adjust the length.

Works a treat.

It's not just that I's a cheap so and so. I enjoy making stuff.

   

   
   

   

   

   

[passion for knowledge]

Images didn't work.

 https://postimg.org/image/dxoocctsb/

 https://postimg.org/image/ovzxujidn/

 https://postimg.org/image/y2i8htnm3/

 https://postimg.org/image/wyy45v2yz/

 https://postimg.org/image/4xfhef8az/

 https://postimg.org/image/vtzgmqr4b/

[WVbowhunter]

Guys I promise the build is coming, but it will most likely be some time this winter as I am currently in college 6 hours from home and all my tools. Because I'm going to be on limited time its gonna be a red oak board bow. probably a pyramid bow because I enjoy those. Hopefully it will go pretty quick once I get started. Sorry its taking me so long to get started guys but college is kinda kicking my rear end and has been since back in the summer when I was filling out paperwork that seemed to multiply if I blinked. Best of luck to everyone this season

[monterey]

I have built a bunch of oak board pyramid bows and so far have had only one failure.

One thing I learned about oak and pyramid bows is that while you CAN apply equal thickness taper full length, it's best to have just a very little bit of extra thickness coming off the fades.  Just for a few inches.  That will give you a more even set (with oak boards there will be set!) And avoid the gull wing at the fades which is a huge performance thief.

[takefive]

If the air is much drier in winter where you live, I'd break out one of those hickory staves.  Hickory performs best at low RH.

[bigbob2]

X 2 pyramid bow.

[bckskin2]

How about an all bamboo bow? TBB IV has some pictures. One of the others TBB has some cord backed boo too.
Jerry

[EwokArcher]

If I didn't have an 8 week old baby and had plenty of free time I'd be working on a herters style form fg bow. I really want to make one of them shorties.

[YosemiteSam]

How about a sapling bow?  I've had my eye on some of my neighbor's mulberry branches...

[EwokArcher]

Also crepe myrtle self bow could be fun. Tons of ppl have been throwing out crepe around my area. I got a slightly crooked 6 ft piece about 1.5 inches diameter last week