So I've got a hazelnut stave down to a 61" bow.
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/bow32001-1.jpg)
I've got it bending into the handle at 21". I've been using Eric's "tiller gizmo" to achieve an even bending arch.
My question is how do you know if you are going to be able to achieve a 28" draw or if the length of the bow is not going to allow it to reach this draw length? I'm not sure where to stop with the tillering??? How far do I push it?
Just realized this is an older picture. This is when I had it bending to 19". Since then I have scraped wood off near the fades and out near the tips.
You can get it to a 32" draw if you tiller it out correctly, the question is what weight do you want at 28"? Are you checking weight with a scale at the length you draw it to now? Don't pull it past draw weight at any length and you will minimize string follow.
At 21" it is 35#'s. I'd like it to end up at 50#+.
I noticed that about the fades and tips being too stiff VB. I'll try and post an updated pic tonight. I would like to get some input after the reduced wood in the fades area.
Also, should the brace on a short string at this point be about 4"-5"????
Thanks,David
Thanks, more pics tonight......
I would draw it more in the center of the string, about 3" to the left. How much longer is the left limb than the right?
remember if you are getting about 3# per inch of draw,( an an average 50# bow) and you have 7 inches to go- that equates to about 21#- add that to your current 35#, youre sitting at about 56# as is- lose a few pounds to sanding, finishing and settling in, you are going to be pretty spot on 50#.
i usually work up to my max draw weight as soon as i can,on the short string- and as mr. coyete said never draw past your final draw weight.
and as mr. bear noted you are still on the long string- so my caculation above really only works when you have it strung at your desired brace height.
i always use the quick calculation just as a reassuring back up system, when trying to fix the odd thing.
what is the weight at any given length on the short string??
looking good
and these guys will help anyone and everyone so much
good luck.
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/bow32-1.jpg)
This is after taking more off near the fades and out near the tips.
id say left fade and left midlimb out.
lookin good though , keep it up.
-hov
How about the right mid to tip?
maybe a snatch by the tip itself , but it looks good.
my tip for using a gizmo is this : when you hit your fades , remove wood just like the rest of it...
-hov
Dave, I sent you a PM.
Get on the short string as fujimo suggested. :readit: You need to see how it bends at more draw length. Only take off small amounts and flex the bow 15 to 20 times between taking off. If you keep on taking wood off and thinning the bow down you are also dropping the weight. Get the limbs pulling evenly (looks like it now) and start pulling to 50#, then take off only where necessary, otherwise you will end up with a kids bow, 30# at 28" (Been there, Done that) :knothead:
Thanks guys. I will take it slow from here on. I have some sinew I might add to this bow later..?
Add it later if you really enjoy the tillering process, cuz that what you are going to have to do once you add the sinew, retiller.
I am just thinking that if I need more draw weight I might have to add some sinew or heat treat it. We'll see how it goes. Heck, it might just break before I get to that point!
Looks good Snag you just need to sneek up on at this point and excercise it plenty.
Stiks
Thanks for stirring me in the right direction guys. I will try and be mindful of all your advice.
Wait, snag. You want to draw a 61 inch bow 32 in? I'd be glad if I got 26 in. In fact I just bough a 60 in white oak sapling to 25 in and am pretty happy about that. Lord willing I'll ease it to 26 in as I shoot it. Drawing a stave more than 2 times its length is a recipe for disaster. IMHO. Jawge
George, Dave is looking to draw the bow 28", Wile E is the one who made the comment about 32".
You have built a lot more white wood bows then me so I defer to you regarding the length this bow (61") will safely draw. With Osage, I routinely make stiff handled bows that push your 2 time the length rule, but not by much. My favorite length is 58-60" for my 29 1/2" draw. However, I have successfully built them as short a 56".
32" draw length?! Wow, that sounds like Shaq's draw length...haha
I did a little more scraping on the right side near the tip. I am surprised at how thin the area is out near the tip on the right side and it still is a bit stiff. Also a little scraping on the fadeout of the left side. That helped with the hinge area mid limb. I'll try and post a pic tonight or tomorrow. I now have it on a short string and braced to about 4". Haven't checked the poundage after this morning's scraping.
Oh sorry. LOL. Walt, I don't push limits unless I have to with osage or whitewoods. Never saw the point but I am glad it works for you. Also, the condition of the wood-knots, etc-is important. Jawge
If you think it's getting too thin you can remove wood from the sides to preserve the thickness.
Thanks Pat. I was wondering about that.
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/654.jpg)
I tried taking wood off with the Gizmo to get the right limb to bend like the left limb. The last 6"-8" to the tip on the right limb is getting thin...a little less than 1/2". Still not bending enough..I think? So, I narrowed the limb like someone suggested. Still not enough bend. The poundage is down to 25# @ 19"...definitely a kids bow it looks like. What is frustrating is I started out with quite a bit of wood and now I'm down to a toothpick and still not tillered and under weight. What a rookie! I just guess I don't get it. Better stick to making arrows! haha I thought I was following instructions. Anyway, I hope the next attempts work out better. Don't know where to go from here with this bow.
You've put a good effort into it so don't feel bad. Most of us have had to make shavings a few times to get a bow were we want it.
Do you have a youth or a small woman nearby that would enjoy shooting it? That could be a great use for this pretty piece of wood.
Your other idea of heat treating or sinewing is something I would avoid. Heat treating as much as it would take to make your draw weight means a very charred stick and sinew is too time consuming to add as a bandaid. Save that application for a bow you will really be proud of. JMO.
Take care, Christopher.
I feel your pain. They dont always work out, at least not for me. I always have fun trying though and love shooting the ones that do work.
Heck at least you have a bending stick. Mine have not made it that far. Better luck next time.
Thanks for the input guys. I think you're right Bear about getting it on the short string earlier. I got it to bending to 21" today. I'll keep at it and see where it goes.
I'm already eyeballing the osage stave by my workbench...haha
got it lookin good snag whats the rest of the stave lookin like. ruddy