Selfbow Buildalong Challenge

[John Scifres]

OK guys and girls.  It's time to step up and start posting buildalongs.  We have a new Traditional Bowyer's Bible and I'm seeing a little more chatter out there.  But where the heck are the buildalongs?  All you new guys need to do 'em.  Us old guys did our bit.  We've said all we can and are set in our ways.  Our buildalongs are boring anyway.  We need some youth here.  Challenge us and our doctrine.  

Cut a tree and see if it can really be seasoned and tillered as fast as that pot stirrer Tim Baker says it can.  Use different woods, even the ones that used to not be bow wood but now are.  Burn some bow bellies up and show us how that heat tempering works.

Come on, wake us old guys up.  Have you ever read the kid's book "Verdi" by Jannell Cannon?  I'm one of those big fat green snakes laying on a branch waiting for one of you whippersnappers to wake me up.

Please.

[onemississipp]

I have yet to get  TBB vol 4.
I would love to see some build alongs also.

[mjc]

I just cut a big mulberry last week when it gets dry I may give it a go. Nothing like failing in public.
Matt

[robtattoo]

I'd do one if I had a stave to play with.....

[jared s]

I've been considering doing a "poor mans" buildalong for awhile, catering to those (like me)who don't have a shop or a lot of tools. Something for beginners or people (like me) who have found themselves stuck in a city without a lot of space. All I need is a bow that doesn't blow up in my face.  

[John Scifres]

Dustin, buy it, you'll like it.

Matt, Get that mulberry roughed out.  I think Baker says you can dry it in 9 days or something equally preposterous. You know you could hurt yourself going that fast.  Better to just take it slow and easy [grumbled the old fat snake].

Dang Rob, that hurt.  I actally have your piece roughed out as of last night.  I might even finish this weekend.

Jared, now that is what I'm talking about.  My first 5 bows or so were made with a hatchet, a 4 way rasp, and a butcher knife in my back yard or in a spare bedroom upstairs in my first house.  I bet there's still yellow dust up there.  

I remember a foolish use of a grinder to shape a bow in there when it was too cold to work outside.  Not a smart move.  That and sinewing in my kitchen rank right up there.  Here's my very first (and maybe the very first ever internet) buildalong.  I learned a lot and got free advice from some of the greatest bowyers alive.    Stalking Tiller Live I

[bowmaker07]

I was just on the phone this morning trying to get a couple logs from a friend(oak,walnut).They've been cut for two years and left outside so I don't know what shape they're in.I want to do a self-bow because I've built 10 board bows in the last couple months(laid-off).If I come up with something maybe I'll do a build-a-long but there won't be anything new and earth shaking,I'm still new at this.

[robtattoo]

Sorry John, only pokin' fun!  :D

[dino]

Hey Rob, if you drop by the house there is an ash stave in the barn that you can have  

[BryanB]

I just cut some new exparimental woods (for me).  I have a nice holly wood stave and a "straigt" english Ivy stave drying.  I have a photinia stave ready and have my eye on a very large scotch broom bush that should yeild two billets.  When I finish my service-berrry bow I'm working on, I'll start with some of the wierd wood.
Bryan

[Osagetree]

I love the build alongs even if it was done before. Never know when you'll pick up on something that may save time or you could spot something interesting laying on the work bench.

 Cured bow wood in 9 days? What ta  :eek:

[soopernate]

I might try to put together a red oak board bow buildalong....??? I have pretty limited skills but might like having everyone help me out with the process. Kind of ashamed of my work area though lol.....

[wingnut]

Now John, don't be stirring up the new guys.  They are probably sitting back and waiting for you and the rest of us to do another one.  Don't really see that happening soon though.  

BTW where did you find a branch big enough to lay on?  Is it bow wood?

LOL

Mike

[Linc]

My bow making has become to sperodic to even think about doing a build-a-long.My latest bow has been in the works for 9 months.    

[mike hall]

bernie had one going.......... is that one killing stuff yet? looked like a good one

[shawn]

I just finished laying out a hickory stave I got from Linc. I will try to get out and take photos as I go. Been having trouble getting motivated.

Shawn

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by dino:
Hey Rob, if you drop by the house there is an ash stave in the barn that you can have    

You at home on Saturday morning Dino? I'll pop on over & pick 'er up!  

[horatio1226]

I took my drawknives to a sharpening service to be sharpened and he ground them on the top and bottom. Needless to say, I had to buy a new one.
Well it came and then realized that I needed a bandsaw blade. Finding one 77" was a bit of a challenge but I finally found one and they should be here this week. I have had this beautiful, seasoned black walnut sitting on my bench for months. I have some nice bamboo slats waiting to be glued to it. I'm in. I'll do a build along. I could use the help. I've done a couple but really am a novice. I am dying to see this black walnut in a bow. Give me a couple days to get started. Any advice on laying out and starting a boo backed black walnut? Thanks
Brian

[bowmaker07]

What is everyone's opinion on walnut for a self-bow?I see horatio is going to back his with boo.With limbs 1 3/4 wide and 66 long it should be fine w/o backing right?A looker too!

[dosbow56]

Where the heck do ya get that osage stuff anyway.....LOL