A blast from the past...

[Pat B]

Back in 2000 I took a class from Vinson Minor for building bamboo backed bows. Vinson had us reduce the boo with hand planes to start with but later showed us how to reduce it on a bandsaw and table top belt sander. This was a 2 day class with about 6 of us taking the class. At the end of the class we all had completed, shootable bows. A couple of us had experience with selfbows but others had no experience at all. Anyway, here is my results...
Boo backed osage, 67" t/t, 4" handle, 2" fades, 1 1/4" at the fades and out 10" then a straight taper to 1/2" tips. The bottom limb is 1" longer than the top. Rattan cane handle wrap with hair on calf skin arrow pass, strike plate and dark hardwood tip overlays.  I don't remember the draw weight but I'n guessing 45# to 50# @26"...


the tiller looks off on the top limb but I think that is just the angle of the pic.

[Buggs]

Very cool! Looks like it still has all its reflex. I'll bet it's fun to shoot

[Mad Max]

Really nice pat

[Roy from Pa]

Awesome Pat....

[Pat B]

Thanks guys. I haven't shot it much lately but I took it out to maybe be my hunting bow this year or at least one of them.

[Kirkll]

22 years and still going!   that's very cool.

[Mad Max]

Back in 2000 I took a class from Vinson Minor for building bamboo backed bows. Vinson had us reduce the boo with hand planes to start with but later showed us how to reduce it on a bandsaw and table top belt sander.

I run mine threw the thickness sander until it's almost flat then I put some masking tape on the back and draw lines every 3 or 4" or so and write down the thickness measurements it needs to be at those lines, Hold it to the edge sander and keep checking the thickness, I can flex it away from the sanding belt with one hand and push on the area that needs to be thinner.  works real good that way. Did you know James back then?

[Mad Max]

Bamboo and Ipe makes a really nice bow, Bamboo and Horn makes one better, I guess it would need to be a Tri. lam.
I would like to try that one of these days. bucket list

[Longcruise]

Im wanting to do a maple cored ipe belly trilam with ???? Back.  Hickory??

[Pat B]

Yeah, Mark, I knew James them. This was at Vinson's family house and Becca, Vinson's sister was there and when James came over you could see that Becca had designs on him back then. She was probably 15.
 Mark, this bow in boo backed osage, not ipe. The osage just has some age on it. I love this color of old osage.
Mike, hickory makes a great backing and it is way easier to use than boo.

[Mad Max]

Yeah, Mark, I knew James them. This was at Vinson's family house and Becca, Vinson's sister was there and when James came over you could see that Becca had designs on him back then. She was probably 15.
 Mark, this bow in boo backed osage, not ipe. The osage just has some age on it. I love this color of old osage.
Mike, hickory makes a great backing and it is way easier to use than boo.

cool stuff

[Bee Trace Rambler]

Pat B, would you use the same dimensions as bamboo backing when using a hickory backing on Osage?

[Pat B]

BTR, Yes I would and as a matter of fact I prefer hickory backing over bamboo backing for ease of construction and durability. I've had boo backings lift splinters but the only hickory back bow that failed was due to rotten hickory.
I'm sure Roy would disagree.   

[Roy from Pa]

Yup. LOL

[Pat B]

    

[Roy from Pa]

Hey ole timer whad ya use rotten wood for?