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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 08:50:39 AM

Title: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 08:50:39 AM

...or first successful one, anyway.  Oak belly, bamboo backing, the handle is Brazilian cedar.  I'm disappointed with the handle...I expected a smoother transition and a cleaner seam, but it didn't work in my favor...I'll likely be wrapping it in leather.  Best shooting bow I've made...or, best shooting for me, anyway.  I can actually hold a 10" pattern at about 60ft.  66" nock to nock....pulls 58lbs at 28".  I've flown about 75 arrows in the last two days with it...also the first arrows I've shot in three or four years...my fingers are killing me.

(http://kaleesphotography.com/bow/bamboooak1.JPG)

(http://kaleesphotography.com/bow/bamboooak2.JPG)

(http://kaleesphotography.com/bow/bamboooak3.JPG)

It was fun.  I can't wait to start the...it'll be real similar but I'll be make a bigger effort to keep set lower.
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: scottpA_GS on November 14, 2009, 10:41:50 AM

You make some cool stuff Mak  :icon_mrgreen:


Nice work... Again  :cheers:
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 10:46:53 AM
Thanks Scott!
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: trumpetguy on November 14, 2009, 10:55:52 AM
Damn!
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: PuddleJumper on November 14, 2009, 04:11:29 PM
Wow, Imagine meeting a fellow Bowyer on a motorcycle forum.

I have one made out of Hedge Apple.

They are fun to build but can be tricky.

pj
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 04:21:12 PM
Got any pics?  What style?  Did you build it?

I want to try just about any wood that has "apple" in it (hedge, crab, horse, hard, etc).
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: The Buddha on November 14, 2009, 07:56:24 PM
Well ... cant you use a leaf spring off some type of caboose. Yea ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 08:06:01 PM
For a small ballista.
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: Alphamazing on November 14, 2009, 08:37:03 PM
Quote from: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 08:06:01 PM
For a small ballista.

Scrounge up some Corvette springs and DO IT.
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 09:28:22 PM
I've built a small ballista before...and a couple trebuchet.  It's not as fun as might be though. Actually pretty hard.
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: DoD#i on November 14, 2009, 09:58:34 PM
Quote from: PuddleJumper on November 14, 2009, 04:11:29 PM
I have one made out of Hedge Apple.

AKA Osage Orange, AKA Bodark, AKA Bois d' Arc

- just possibly a good choice, yep.
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2009, 10:27:13 PM
Forgot horse apple.

Bodark is one of my favorite woods but it's so hard to work.
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: PuddleJumper on November 16, 2009, 12:23:43 AM
Yes, I made it. As far as style, not sure I really followed one. I just did what seemed right.

It is my first successful bow. I made it about 10 years ago. I've made quit a few more since

then, but it is my favorite. black locust is good too. It's a close cousin to the hedge apple.

I'll try to get pics of it and post them.

I still have several staves I need to make into bows. I guess it will do for a winter project.

If you haven't already done so, check out "The Bowyers Bible" series by Jim Hamm.

PJ
Title: Re: First bow in a couple years...
Post by: brickerenator on November 16, 2009, 04:50:27 AM
nice!

I've always wanted to make a bow (have all the wood and tools required), just can't find the time.