I have made a few board bows so far. They have been from either oak or hickory boards and I have a few rookie laws I would like to pass on. Feel free to add some if I have missed any.
1) That perfect board you looked thru about 200 to find will either be destroyed by your expert hand or tiller out to about 10 pounds less than you target weight.
2) The bow that turns out perfect with great looks, tiller and dead on poundage will be a dud shooter.
3) No matter how much measuring you do with the calipers before you stick her on the tree, one limb will be WAY to heavy, with very little bend.
4) The bow that finishes up at weight will surely lose about 10 pounds after a few days shooting it.
5) If a bow is looking good and tillering out good, stand away when tillering because something is going to happen.
6)Keep trying, because one day, you will get one that looks good, shoots good and you can be proud of.
Printed and posted on the wall in the garage
Tru'dat... :readit:
Shawn...
Don, those were true of all my rookie bows whether they were made from board or log. Jawge
7) Don't go back to home depot to get a refund on the money you spent on the wood after it breaks on ya!
sorry couldn't help maself lol
8) This is not a RACE, tiller slowly
That's some good stuff right there.
here's one i sometime forget even after about 30 bows.
9. make sure your power tool blades are square. Table saw, bandsaw, table top sander. Can make for some unusual problems.