I know everybody likes a good build a long, but I thought I'd do this one anyhow. :D We are shooting for a bow that's 62" long 52-55 lbs at 27". Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the layout, but it is basically a tad over 1 1/4" at the fades,12" shy of the tip it tappers to 5/8" tips for now. This stave has a major whoop de doo in one limb as you can see in this photo.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow005.jpg)
So I decided to steam it out.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow007.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow006.jpg)
I steamed it for roughly 45 minutes and then clamped it to my caul.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow008.jpg)
After a day I took it off the caul, and as you can see I got most of the dip out,
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow011.jpg)
I will work more on that later, after I get the fascets cut.
Here's some more shots of the back of the bow as it is now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow010.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002.jpg)
More to come in the next few weeks.
Chuck be patient man.
Looking good. I like your steam set-up.
You never cease to amaze!! Keep it comin!
Thanks Clint, you can only fry so many turkey. :bigsmyl:
Well thanks Kenny, more to come tomarra.
This will be fun! looking forward to your progress.
Thanks Pat, no laughing now. :saywhat:
No laughing here my friend. At least you are building bows. More than I can say for myself!!!!! d;^)
Get busy Pat!!
Here's the next installment. I like to use Dean Torges' method of using facets to shape the limbs. It is a very organized and efficient way of getting the limbs tapered. First I start by scribing the side of the limbs, about 3/8".
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002-1.jpg)
Then scribe the belly down the center.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow003-1.jpg)
Then the work begins, rasping to the lines and forming the facets. Once I get the first two facets cut forming a V shape to the belly.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow007-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow006-1.jpg)
I form the last facet and knock the peak of the belly off to form the limb taper.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow009-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow010-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow013-Copy2.jpg)
I hope I have made this step clear, if not give me Heck. :D
Nice and smart!
Dano: Where did you purchase your shop? My shop always has sawdust on the floor...! lol
Thanks Moen, go to CLEANSHOP.COM :biglaugh:
I suppose I am pretty sick when it comes to keeping a shop clean, just the way I was brought up you know. It helps having a new shop too, I haven't had long to mess this one up.
im gonna pay real close attention to this,so far your a little ahead of me in a current build.im ready to learn some new stuff pleazzzzzz keep 'em comin
Double dang Dano...I saw that pot of boiling water and thought SHRIMP BOIL !!!! Being the consumate camp chef you are. Great pics, awesome shop .
We be talkin now!! I love shrimp!!! That pot is good for lots of stuff, got a bigger one if that won't do. ;)
Good timing for a build-along Dano. Kinda nice to see something like this while cooped up in a motel room. Looks good........as usual :thumbsup:
Dennis
OH Man!! Dennis they got you outa town now too, they are workin you to death son.
Today, I cleaned the edges of the bow up, removed any tool marks and rounded the back edges over and sanded with 100 grit paper. This way I don't worry about lifting any splinters on the back when I start work on the limbs. I put some heat to the whoop de doo and clamped it to the caul. I got it looking pretty good now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/chucksbow014.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/chucksbow016.jpg)
I also took a little twist out of the other limb, It wasn't much, but I like to start with nice straight limbs when I can. A bucket of water and a monkey wrench do the trick.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-1.jpg)
That's all for the day, when the shop gets to 95 degs, it's time to quit.
Aw, shucks, Dano, you ought to come to my shop when the dust really gets flying. It must be a whoppin 15 degrees in that unheated room. Keeps the persperation at bay, I can tell you that!
Looks very good, shop and the bow. Thanks for the build along.
Thanks Chris, I remember very well what it was like when I lived in Illinois. I guess I'll take the heat ;)
Looks Great Dano. It's going to be a really nice bow.
Thanks
Great job Dano. I have not built a self bow with the Torges faceting method but have read about it and this brings everything into perspective. Thanks Flint
Thanks guy's, if one person gets something from this I am happy.
Today I put the bow on the tree with a long string, I do very little floor tiller, just enough to get the limbs bending a tad. My long string is made up of two leather boots I made, with some para cord attached. I like to keep the string as short as possible and still be able to put the boots on easily.
Here's a close up of one of the boots.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002-2.jpg)
Relaxed
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-2.jpg)
Here it is pulled a few inches.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow003-2.jpg)
Here's where I feel the bow needs some work before we go to a short string. That whoop de doo wants to hindge so I'll take it a little slow in this area. Hopefully we don't loose too much weight in this limb. But hey kids need bows too. :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow003-3.jpg)
Well we might have lucked out Chuck!! Here's a shot of her pulled 8"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-3.jpg)
I think we are ready to put a short string on her. I like to use an adjustable square to mark the tips for groves.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow005-2.jpg)
Then set my square for 35 degs, mark both sides of the limb and cut with a Nicholeson rasp.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow004-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow006-2.jpg)
Now for the string, I made up a FF string 80" long with a loop on one end and twisted and tied the other. Here's a little pictorial on the timber hitch I use.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow008-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow009-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow010-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow011-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow012.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow013.jpg)
I make sure I snug the knot in back as well as on the belly.
The bow doesn't look too bad at a 3" brace, the string tracks the handle nicely. Still a little stiff in the outer third of that right limb.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow007-2.jpg)
This is a great build along Dano. I had always thought 45 degrees for the nocks, 35 degrees is also the correct spur angle for atlatls.
Let this be a lesson to me, :rolleyes: Let a bow re-hydrate when I use a lot of heat to correct a problem area. We had one heck of a spectacular disassembly. No one was hurt in the filming of this event. :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow014-1.jpg)
On the bright side I got rid of that problem limb, probably should have used billets in the first place. And now we get to do a splice. :D
The first thing to do is get both mating billets a flat square working surface.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow017.jpg)
Get some center lines on each to help line up the template.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow017.jpg)
Usually I like to use a 4" splice, but with this handle I was forced to go to 3". These are 1" increments.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow018.jpg)
Then I like to use contact cement to stick em on.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow019.jpg)
Cut them very carefully makeing sure to keep the billet flat while cutting.
The two mated very well, so I mixed up some Urac 185 and clamped her up.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow020.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow021.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow022.jpg)
I'm mainly a lurker here, as I don't know enough to add anything useful, so this kind of build along is very useful to me. I thank you for it, HOWEVER, I wonder if you didn't have a blowout on purpose so newbies like me can learn from your "mistakes". :) I've read a LOT on here and other places about how to build a bow, but not a lot on catastrophic failures such as this. I would have just chucked out the pieces and tried another chunk of wood. With 3 staves hitting my shop tomorrow, I feel good knowing that I have lots of help here in this group and from your posts. Thanks again
Leonard
Your welcome Leonard, I use to just use these mistakes to heat the shop, :rolleyes: but with the price of Osage these days a guy has to be frugal. I'm just passin' on what some good people passed on to me a few years back.
Man, I gotta get me a pair of them shoes :)
I have been watching and then got a suprized.
Nice save.I've had to do that a time or 2 myself.
Keep us updated on how it comes along.
Pappy
Wow Dano, I thought that would have happened any how with my 30" draw. nice job on the "splice- along". OH! maybe I am the wrong Chuck.
Also, I am confused. do you have nice cabinets in your shop? or some cool benches in your kitchen? Looks awesome.
Waitin for more.
Chuck
Shane, wally world $10 plus tax :D
Thanks Pappy, we do what we gotta do huh?
Nice try Chuck, as if you need some one to build you a bow.
Guy's I have to admit this build a long is getting to be a comedy of errors, I guess I'm going to fast for my little brain to handle. :knothead:
The splice came out nice, BUT, this dummy laid out the handle off center from the splice, so it may bow up in the tiller tree anyhow, we shall see. This will be a pretty good experiment.
You can see in this picture I used the end of the splice as center of the handle in stead of the center of the splice.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow004-2.jpg)
SO!!!, Back to the layout, I started by using a weighted string to establish a new center line.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-4.jpg)
I like to use a circle template to do the layout, I use an 1 3/8" for the limbs and 1" for the handle fades.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow007-3.jpg)
Then I connect the dots. I like to use a french curve at the fades. Here's the handle cut to shape.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow012-1.jpg)
Here's some pictures of the limb layout. When I have a snakey limb I like to use a few more circles, it helps follow the center line better.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow008-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow009-3.jpg)
The bow cut to the lines.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow013-1.jpg)
Then I scribe a line to cut the limb thickness.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow010-3.jpg)
Next I have to cut facets in the new limb as I did earlier, and get this new limb bending.
Thanks for watching
The splices in this really intrigue me. I had always mistakenly assumed they ran against the direction the bow would be bent (i.e. belly to back as opposed to side to side), but it appears in your picture that the splice is set up to be strong enough to bear the weight of the bow being drawn?
Did I explain my question/statement well enough?
Anyhow, thanks for the build along!
Hate you had a blow out Dano. But it ain't over till YOU say it's over. Don't take no lip offa no stick 'o bow wood.
Sometimes it ain't easy, other times seems like a fellar can get away with murder. Must be Karma or something.
Chris if the splice was done with the grain or growth rings, it would surely break. This way is the strongest provided the handle doesn't bend. The fish tail splice offers the most gluing surface as well.
It is Karma David, you know it. I tortured that limb, it just got back at me. :D
Dano,
That makes a ton of sense! Thanks for explaining it.
You the sain one mking the crop circles! Ilove tea in a mason jar!
Tea in a mason jar is good. ;)
Dano, why do V shape the belly? Is it easier to start the tillering?
Howard
You need to read "Hunting the Osage Bow" by Dean Torges. It's a method of shaping the belly and removing wood during tiller. The V is just two of the facets, the third facet knocks the point of the V off, as your tillering you work the belly and keep adjusting the facets you end up after tiller with an oval belly. The book explaind it much better than I can.
Today has been good, I got the new limb worked down pretty well, and put on a short string at a low brace height. She's still a tad stiff and the new limb had quite a bit of reflex, but all in all it's looking good I'd say. I'll have to even up that reflex later.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002-4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-5.jpg)
I put the bow handle in my vice and flexed it separately so I wouldn't put too much strain on the old limb, that worked out well.
There's still hope Chuck!!
More.....we want more :)
"There's still hope Chuck!!"
Aw heck Dano...things happen for reasons, even though we don't always understand at the time. The bow is looking great and the build a long is a wonderful demonstration of your great craftsmanship with Osage.
Looking good so far,where there is a will there
is USUALLY a way. ;)
Pappy
Your WAY to kind Chuck, Relax Shane!!!, You know it Pappy. Thanks for following along guy's, these build a longs are ton of work.
Getting real close to final tiller, so at this point I like to shape the handle glue on the tip overlays, make up a good string, then start shooting it in. Today I got the handle shaped and the tips are dring as we speak. Here's how I like to shape the handle.
First I round over the entire belly of the handle.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow004-3.jpg)
Then chamfer the edges.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow006-3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow009-4.jpg)
Then round them over with a rasp, scrape the rasp marks and sand with 60 grit paper, then 100 grit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow012-2.jpg)
Now for the tips. The first thing I do is plane the back of the bow with a Stanley #90, making sure I have a good flat mating surface.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow013-2.jpg)
Then cut a few pieces of Cocobolo, double stick tape them together, and sand the edges.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow014-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow015-2.jpg)
Check the fit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow016-2.jpg)
Then glue them up with Tite Bond III.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow017-1.jpg)
Then set back, have a cold one and watch the glue dry :bigsmyl:
m I glad i popped in here. I love watching this stuff. You go dano.<><
Hi ya Frank, say hello to Shell for me.
Today I got the tips done. I like to do some of this work on the spindle sander. First I form the belly of the knock, and the top of the overlay.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/ChucksBow021-1.jpg)
Then form the sides to a point.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/ChucksBow020-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/ChucksBow019-1.jpg)
Then rasp and sand the overlay.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002-5.jpg)
Then I cut the groove as before, about 35 degs and open up the groove almost back to 90 degs for the string at full draw.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow003-6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow005-3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow004-4.jpg)
:clapper: looking great
It's looking good Dano. One question I have is. are the overlays critical? I know they help strengthen the tip, but are they really needed? Or is it mainly for show?
Leonard
Tips turned out beautiful, nice classy look.
Thanks ya'all. Tip overlays aren't all that necessary, but I think they help reduce string wear. You end up with a more well rounded string knock and they look good too.
Well as I said this build a long has been a comedy of errors. I spent so much time trying to match up the two limbs I lost some weight. The bow is 40# @ 26", which might make a young man or woman very happy, but not Chuck. Here's a picture of the bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-7.jpg)
I hate build a longs. :mad:
Very nice bow Dano
Dano,
Great tiller regardless of the missed weight. I like to see that I am not the only one to run into unexpected issues with selfbows. You handled it with style, so do you have another stave in mind yet?
Sean
Bummer dude, at least we get to watch you build another bow :)
I'll put some finish on this one, but I won't be building another bow for a while. Takes away from my other duties, like fishin and swimmin and other important stuff. ;)
Did a great job on pulling a bow out of it all Dano. let me see... 40#@26"+(3#/"x4"=12#)12#=52#@30"PERFECT!(I know, but I gotta play)
Anyhow, are the tips coco or bacote? looks like bacote.(now I'm getting pesty)(sorry)
Great looking bow, looks like a 'beaut. Good Job.
CHUCK.
Thanks Chuck, :bigsmyl: Chuck's got a son Cal, that this bow might just be perfect for. I believe it's cocobolo, heck I don't know I forget. :rolleyes:
That Kiddo will love it I am sure. My 'puter screen play tricks on me with colors sometimes, Great looking bow and tips just the same. I need to get my osage out and make some chips and curls.
Chuck
I have a hard time with exotic woods, if it ain't osage I don't know. :bigsmyl:
The plan as it stands is to finish this bow for Chuck's girlfriend. So I'll lighten it up a tad and make it purty. Stay tuned. I just have to build Chuck a bow down the line some time.
Been a while since I've been here...working on knives these days.
Heck Dano that build-a-long was great!
If you don't have someone in mind for sure for that bow, I know someone it would fit! :D :D
Hey stranger!! I figured you were tied up with your other hobby. Thanks Ron.
Dano, old friend, broketooth told me about your build-along. I said, "Are you sure it's the REAL DANO? Dano doesn't do build-alongs! :scared: I speak from experience - also from a personal habit I've never been able to break ;) :biglaugh:
Good job, brother
Semper Fi
Well thank you Brother, Semper Fi!! I'm glad you getting the hang of that old bow. I hope you have a good season with her this year. Sorry to hear about "It", sometimes they break, huh.
I haven't done a build a long in a few years, I figured I was due. I hope some body got something out of it.
I got this bow tillered to 28# @ 22", now I can draw this bow, ;) I'd put up a picture but I put some skins on the bow today, sorry no pictures of this task. I'll post some pictures of how I finish up the skins tomorrow, maybe.
Good to see Bernie looking in !
As I posted before, things happen for reasons, My girlfriend, Lexi, has been wanting to start learning to shoot and this bow will get her going. Now I gotta' get some light spine cane arrows made up.
Thank you Dano, you have now got another traditional archer shooting....primitive, the way it should be !
COOL!! :goldtooth:
That bow has always shot well (and well for me), Dano. I just have finally improved some of my "Last minute focus" behaviors - LOL. Looking forward to seeing the pics of the bow with skins.
I was glad to see you were the "Chuck" Dano was building for, Chuck, and glad to hear you say that about "Primitive" - not that I have anything at all against other trad bows - just know you will make a good primitive shooter and supporter. Especially after seeing the pics of your primitive arrows. Also glad to hear you have a lady friend in your life these days, and that she is interested in archery. Keep on keepin' on, my friend.
OK here's today's installment. I like to use a sanding block and 100 grit paper to clean up the edges of the skins, then follow that up with 220, then 320 for the whole bow. She's ready for finish but I think I'm going to let it dry for a few days yet before I put some Tru-Oil on her.
These snake skins are a couple of Zambezi Water Vipors, they have a different look too em kinda dark, but once the osage darkens they oughta look great.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-8.jpg)
I use the sanding block at an angle to clean up the edges.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002-6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow003-7.jpg)
When I have short skins, I like to do this or wrap the short end with thread.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow005-4.jpg)
Stay tuned.
Sweet !
and neat!
This bow is done. I put some Tru-Oil on her, sanded with 320 between coats, just using the sandpaper to gently wipe the skins once or twice, too much you'll sand through. After a few coats and the grain is filled, I'll switch to 4/O steel wool. I put 7 thin coats on, the last few coats should be real thin, or this stuff will run on ya.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow002-7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow006-5.jpg)
Put a nice wrap over the stacked leather rest and she's ready for Miss. Lexi. :bigsmyl:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow004-5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/Archery/Bows/Chucksbow001-9.jpg)
Thanks for bearin with me.
Excellent work. But, what are we going to have to look at tomorrow?
GADZOOKS Dano !!!!!! She's really going to like that. We will post some pics when she gets it.
Great Work. Looks great
Nice job!
:notworthy: