HH BUG GOT ME - Part Two!

[Rob DiStefano]

3 coats of massey finish (epoxy/acetone, 1:5 mix) with 0000 wooling 'tween coats, only on the riser, limb tips and limb sides. now a wipe of slightly thinned helmsman spar varnish (for uv protection).  getting there ...

 

 

[Bud B.]

Very nice Rob!

[Jim Picarelli]

My Schulz quiver and my Schulz Hill. These will definitely be spending some time with me in the deer woods this year
   

[lone hunter]

Thanks for the info Rob, your bow is looking excellent. I'll have to give this a try.

[Rob DiStefano]

i needed to amend my post above, on the finishing - the massey coats are only for the riser, limb tips and limb edges (bamboo).  some of the glass gets the massey finish, but that's incidental.  the massey epoxy is for sealing the open grain of the ipe, red oak and bamboo.  actually, only the ipe really needs the epoxy, so that the urethane clear coats will adhere well.

so, what i've done for finishing is to wick in water thin cya to the limb tip grooves and overlay, to strengthen and harden, then seal all the exposed wood with the massey finish, then perhaps 3 coats of minwax helmsman spar varnish (a urethane) over the entire bow.  all applied coats of cya, massey and varnish get 0000 steel wool light buffing for each coat.  i'll probably buff down the last coat to kill the shine, too.

hope this helps.

[jhk1]

Rob,

Looks great.  What do you use to thin the Helmsman Spar Urethane?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by jhk1:
Rob,

Looks great.  What do you use to thin the Helmsman Spar Urethane?

mineral spirits, about 5% to 10% cut.

[Jacquesbonin]

Jim, nice bow and quiver! You are styling! I have a Schultz, made Hill "Redman, reverse handle!! One I have had for twenty or more years! This has a yew core! Enjoy your Schultz! Later Jacques

[Bob B.]

Well, this page is near the bottom, so II will ask a question to the gang, what do you think about Jet longbows?   I have been talking with Joel about his Leopard, a, 3/4inch backset 68 inch bow with Yew limbs.  Has anyone had any experience with these bows?

Bob

[far rider]

Hey Bob,
I have no experience with them personally, but I looked around the site tonight Great looking bows. What's the limb cross section like?

Tim

[Rob DiStefano]

i got to see joel at this past april's whittingham shoot, and i handled (but not shot) some of his fine longbows.  beautiful craftsmanship and materials, for sure.

[Bob B.]

Tim,

The limbs on the one I have shot were nearly a 1/2 inch deep, with  4  Lams of Yew.  It looks like there is a very slight trap to the back.  The back and belly are nearly identical in width, about 1 1/16 at the fades  transitioning to about  1/2 inch at the tips.  The riser is about 13 1/2 inches from fade to fade.  I was surprised at how nicely the bow shot as I really do not care for backset bows.  However, my elbow did fine after a half day of shooting.  It was accurate and fast, with just an almost imperceptible buzz at the  end of the power stroke.  The bow felt good to shoot.  Both draw and release were very smooth.

Bob.

[far rider]

Bob,
Would you say they are very similar to Craig's Hills?

[Bob B.]

Tim,

Well, at a casual glance, I would say yes.  However, Joel's bows are unique unto himself.  His Leopard, even wih a little backset, is nearly dead in the hand.  I have never shot one of Craig's that was this gentle (and I love shooting the Cheetah ).

I don't really know how to compare them, sorry.

Bob

[far rider]

You did! Thanks!

Tim

[David Mitchell]

I shot one of Joel's bows at Baltimore last year--wouldn't trade any of my Hills for one. May have just been that particular bow--only lefty he had on the table. It had considerably more thump than any Hill I own or have owned. But the fit and finish are excellent. Just my opinion which is what was asked for.

[Rob DiStefano]

ok, as done as she's gonna be.  2 wipes of slightly thinned helmsman spar varnish w/light buffing 'tween coats, then 3 sprays of helmsman spar varnish with no buffing but each coat was applied within 12 hours.  after letting it set to at least surface cure in a 45% humidity room for nearly two dayze, i put on a velcro rest and ultra thin leather strike plate, took a few pix then this afternoon it was off to the backyard range.  it feels REAL good in the bow hand, but i will do a lace-up leather grip, once i find some Super Supple leather to conform to the locator grip.  shot real well at 16 yards, absolutely zero/nada/no hand shock, very smooth on the draw, and those 660 grain woodies did zip out pretty smartly.  final spex are 68" nock-to-nock, 46@29, ipe riser, string follow limb geometry, 4 action-boo lams under black glass, red oak back and tip overlays (i added those).  i'm really lovin' this  7 lakes carolina sf longbow .  :cool:

 

 

 

 

[far rider]

Very, Very nice Rob. Looks like it's a shooter too.

[Mudd]

Nice job Rob!

It made you a very handsome, good shooting bow.

   

[Green]

Well done!