Okay.. so part of this was in the Christmas 5 bow build a long.. but moved it here.
I actually started the handle in the Spring, and then it just sat.. you know, other stuff to do. At the time, it was just something to do, but now that my Dad's birthday is in a few weeks, figure... why not!
So gathered the materials..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1477.jpg)
When I went down to Woodcraft, picked up a few sticks for making goodies. Yellow Heart, Paduk, Purple Heart and some Bocate. On this bow will be using the Yellow Heart, Paduk and Maple.
Cutting up my lams..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1483.jpg)
Grinding the lams to thickness...
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1694.jpg)
Getting the handle woods cut up..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1487.jpg)
Gluing up side one..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1486.jpg)
Gluing up side two..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1489.jpg)
Got the handle cut up into shape and somewhat sanded..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1512.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1692.jpg)
Then got my wedges cut up and sanded..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1993.jpg)
Got the limb lams all set up..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1983.jpg)
Glued up the limbs on my form..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1485.jpg)
Here is the two limbs sitting next to the riser..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1996.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_1994.jpg)
Then today.. center lined it and sanded the limbs down to shape.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2054.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2055.jpg)
Next thing to do today is to work on the handle some more.. it is way to bulky.. and get the other accent pieces and tip pieces together for glue up.
looking good like the color choice for ur handel brock
I like how you used your padauk. It's a pretty tough wood to work with as a veneer. You're going to love that yellow heart when it finishes. It's a great wood to work with when you don't burn it.
Looking forward to the finals. Nice work man.
You've got this bow building down pat. Good looking work to this point. Waiting for the final product and the full draw picture.
Ooooh another one. You keep this up and all of callie will be armed with bows.
I find I have not burned the yellow heart as much as I burn purple heart? Maybe just not as dense?
Well, that would work for me.. lot's of people in Cali.. I could make this a full time job =)
So, did not get as far as I wanted yesterday.. but did a lot of work on the riser. Would cut and sand some... then take in the house and hold it.. stare at it... and go back out and do some more.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2057.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2056.jpg)
A little more to go on it, then I can final sand it. I will try to get the tips glues up tonight.
I did a temp string up.. it pulls 45# at 28" right now. So by the time I am done, should pull around 43# or so. Which should be good for Dad.
i just got a semi...that is a gorgeous TD
-hov
Cool.. finally got a little more done.
I got some tip material cut up and glued on last night. Tried something a little ornamental..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2058.jpg)
I will get that all trimmed up tonight and sanded. Should look really cool next to the black glass.
And did some more work to the riser. I trimmed up the back of the window some. The riser was very heavy, now it is starting to lighten up.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2059.jpg)
Just about there. Will probably stain the maple with a light wood stain. Just something to darken it a hair and to bring out the grain. Originally was going to do a black, but I like the grain in the maple and don't want to loose it.
Thanks everyone for the compliments. This one is turning out really nice. Will almost be hard to let it go! LOL
It is look great so far. at least your father will have it so you can always go shoot it.
Kelly
LOL... That's true Kelly! "Hey Dad, bring up your bow... now give it to me!". I like it.
Can't wait to get the sanding done and some stain on it.. love the finishing part of bow building.
You make it look easy Bradford.
Thanks for sharing.
When I read your threads, I keep getting one step closer to diving in.
I foresee a surprised & happy dad!
Okay.. got the tips roughed in.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2060.jpg)
Just got to finish sand them up.
Took the tape off the limbs and started doing some sanding. Starting to look good.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2061.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2062.jpg)
If nothing pops up this weekend, should have it done. Need to do a bit more sanding on the riser, then do the final sand. Throw a little stain on the maple and clear coat!
Cant wait to shoot this one. I still have a couple of weeks before his birthday, so I can 'break it in' real good :)
I bet you can. It is looking real good.
Cool bow, Bradford:) I also like your lamsander. Works great?
Moen.. my main man from Norway! Glad you found this site like I did after the other quite on us.
Yes.. the lam sander works good. I am looking into building a drum thickness sander. Since the cheapest one to buy seems to be around 500 bucks (us dollars).. I might try to make one.
I still have those riser desings you emailed me back about 2 years ago when I first got into this bow making! Thanks for that! you got me on my way.
Your welcome. Fun to see your progress, Brad. I have a year off bowbuilding, but now i`m hungry for more fun. I have sold my old shop, so i must start from zero. pm u tomorrow.
-Moen
Got the riser final sanded down today. Then taped it up for stain. This question came up on my last build along so here is a pic..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2063.jpg)
I just use 1" blue masking tape and tape off the accent and the other wood. Then I stained this one.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2065.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2066.jpg)
Kind of a different look.. almost old skool. I think my dad will like it. The color of the stain reminds me of some bows from the 70's. So the stain will dry over night and tomorrow I can start the tung oil.
Also got the limbs ready to go. Here is another question I have seen pop up on here. Yes, you can sand your fiberglass and it will still come out glossy when done.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2064.jpg)
Bow will be close to finished tomorrow!
:clapper: Sure is looking good, love the contrast and colors. :clapper: :clapper:
Alright.. got 2 coats of tung oil on it. Starting to look real good.
I sat down in front of the fire and sanded all un stained parts with 320 grit.. marked the limbs and riser and started the tung oil.
Should be done by Tuesday.
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2068.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2067.jpg)
looks great. the stain looks like it lighten up a bite and with the tung oil the yellow is coming out more. I bet your dad's jaw is going to hit the floor.
Kelly
Thanks guys.. the stain actually darkened just a hair.. It was just the pic. But I like it. I will bet better photos when I am done.
The funny thing is, I got lazy on the limbs.. so I just stained over the Paduk.. really darkened up the red.. I like it!
Good looking bow.
OkKeith
Youre Dad will be proud and pretty happy.
Is tung oil all you use to finish it with?
Also what did you use to put your brand on the side of the riser?
Yeah.. tung oil is it. I love the stuff. First coat you just watch go into the wood.. absorbs it. Then the second coat starts to fill in the voids... third coat gets shiny.. rub it down with fine steel wool and buff, do two more coats and buff with rag. It seems to hold up well and is easy to fix or add to it later.
Sharpie oil paint pen. I picked it up at the local craft store.. then used a circle stencil and freehanded the rest.
I would like to make something more permenate.. like a "brand" or full stencil. But down the road.
Should be 100% done tonight.. I added one more coat of tung oil last night.. just looks sweet. Will do the rub down and pic it tonight.
Thanks for the tip. Nice looking bow. Was it one of Binghams kits or our own design?
Loosly based off of binghams.. I changed the riser and the overall limb curve.. but the binghams design has been my start guide.
Here it is all strung up and looking pretty:
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2069.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2079.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2076.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2074.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2073.jpg)
Still need to put some fur on the shelf, but all done. Pulls 45# @ 28". It is a 60" bow.
You did a really good job. Can you give a close up on your brand?
I see a smiling dad in your future. Good job.
Yeah the thread wouldn't be complete without a pic of the new owner drilling the target. Hahaha. Great looking bow.
Well... I need to put it thru it's paces this weekend. Unfortunatly, I don't get home till after dark, so this weekend I can give her a test run.
My dad's birthday is next weekend, so plenty of time.
your dad is going to be very happy
Another beautiful piece of art Bradford!!
Thanks guys! I might not be able to wait for his birthday! LOL
I just put in an insert on the handle so you can screw in a stabilizer or handle strap. I will get pics tomorrow!
Looks good; can't waite to see what you will do next.
way cool Bradford :clapper:
Thanks guys.. man.. got paid today so bought some goodies for the bow...
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2094.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2090.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2093.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2091.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2095.jpg)
Now she looks bad-a$$... I LOVE it.. don't want to give it away....LOL
I could not help it.. it's dark, but took it out anyway.. man does she fling an arrow. All my bows are below 30# because of my arthritis... So firing away a 45# bow is SWEET.. hurts a bit.. but SWEET!
It's funny I only pull about 26".. so probably only getting 35 to 40#.. but still a big difference..
I pulled back.. aimed.... and ZIPPPPPPPPPP!
NO hand shock! It is balanced well, but also the limb savers, string silencers and the small stabilizer really help.
It is shooting high, but all the arrows in the same spot in the center.. so no torque. Just need to adjust the nock tomorrow!
TOTALLY AWESOME DUDES! Love it when a plan comes together.
Did have a little scare.. heard a faint crack when I put the new string on it.. did not give it to much thought..
Shot two arrows.. adjusted the nock a bit, pulled back and heard another crack.. oh boy... took into the house and got the string off. Took the limbs off.. examined everything.. can't find any cracks or seperations.. so I did not put on limb pads yet. Cut some sticky felt.. and put it on the limb attaching area... put it back together.. no more noise. Been sitting on the couch pulling it back over and over and nothing.
So went out and fired a few more arrows.. all seem well. I think the limbs where just setting in place.
Thanks all for watching! and the great feed back.
Ready to build the next one.. oh yeah, got to do the bow swap bow! Cool.
You do good work Bradford! I think after this board bow im working on is done im going to move up a step and try one of those! 8 board bows under my belt so its time to graduate!
Finally got it tuned up and put quite a few arrows thru it..
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2098.jpg)
(http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo273/timberwolf177/dads%20recurve/100_2097.jpg)
Hate posing for that picture...LOL
Nice work! It is like she came out like a dream.