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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: snag on February 12, 2011, 01:10:00 PM

Title: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 12, 2011, 01:10:00 PM
I have hazelnut (filbert) trees available to me. I have seen some talk about it being a good wood for selfbows so I gave it a try.
This is a 62" bow with laminated limb tips. Unstrung the right limb is slightly reflexed and the left has taken on some string set. With the knot in the right limb a lot of what looks like string set was from the knot in the limb though.

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/bow3001.jpg)

At the fades it is 1.5" wide tapering to .5" at the tips.

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/bow3002.jpg)

I am going to do some light scraping on the right limb at the fade and then call it good. It is 45#@27.5" at this point.

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/bow3003.jpg)

I may heat treat the belly to try and bring up the poundage. While I am at it probably try and straighten the left limb a bit too....?  Still have to finish the string grooves, sand and steel wool, put a handle wrap on with an arrow shelf (might use a shaped muley antler tip), stain and seal it.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: razorback on February 12, 2011, 02:17:00 PM
Looks great for a first effort. Wish my first one looked that good.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: 1oldbowguy on February 12, 2011, 02:21:00 PM
Looks very nice to me, congrats.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: ranger 3 on February 12, 2011, 03:06:00 PM
If you heat treat the belly and doesn't give you enough weight maybe flip the tips a little.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 12, 2011, 03:50:00 PM
Does hazelnut take to flippin' the tips? I thought that might be too much stress for this type of wood...?
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: John Scifres on February 12, 2011, 04:35:00 PM
Man, I think I'd leave it be.  If you want to do anything, give that left limb a few more scrapes.  It's nearly perfect though so don't get crazy.  Great job!
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: 4est trekker on February 12, 2011, 05:38:00 PM
You've achieved a VERY nice full draw tiller.  Leave that baby alone and go shoot it...then start another'n!
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 12, 2011, 06:03:00 PM
hahaha....4est trekker, I have two others already started! Got it bad!
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: broketooth on February 12, 2011, 06:08:00 PM
that looks awesom snag. first one leaves ya guessin doesnt it. im workin on towo others also and yes i know what ya mean by " i got it bad" ruddy
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Dave Bowers on February 12, 2011, 06:19:00 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Osagetree on February 12, 2011, 06:38:00 PM
:clapper:
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 12, 2011, 07:31:00 PM
Thanks guys. Yep, this is too much fun...even if at times it felt like going down stream without a paddle....kind of like a duck in water, on top he looks pretty calm, but under water he's swimming like all get out!    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: CaptainJ on February 12, 2011, 07:45:00 PM
Very nice snag!

That looks like a great shooter.
Love the knot. Like a beauty mark on a starlet.

CJ
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Walt Francis on February 13, 2011, 12:55:00 AM
David,
You done good...real good.  :thumbsup:   Especially considering where it was at when you put it on the short string.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Stiks-n-Strings on February 13, 2011, 01:08:00 AM
Snag, I know how hard it is to leave well enough alone but as hard as it is I would leave be.

If you absolutlely have to do soething to it try heat tempering the belly on a reflex caul. It will pick up a little weight and reduce set.

Looks great bud keepmit and come back next year for the annual TG bow swap.

Stiks
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 13, 2011, 08:28:00 AM
Looks nice, don't mess with it:)
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: GO Rogers on February 13, 2011, 09:17:00 AM
NICE, GOOD WORK..........
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Ghost Dog on February 13, 2011, 12:19:00 PM
Very nice. Now do it again.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: KellyG on February 13, 2011, 12:32:00 PM
hope mine looks that good when she is done
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: Pat B on February 13, 2011, 01:40:00 PM
Thats as nice as it gets tillerwise. Very well done Snag. If you want to build a bow with flipped tips, plan on it from the start.
 Lots of nice character in her too.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 14, 2011, 02:00:00 PM
Thanks for the comments guys. Now when I go to put finish on this bow I was thinking of using Minwax stain with TruOil as a sealant. Any other suggestions?  
Thanks, David
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: JamesKerr on February 14, 2011, 05:48:00 PM
Thats a very nice tiller you have there I say leave it as it is and enjoy shooting it
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: rover brewer on February 14, 2011, 05:57:00 PM
like some of the others have said,looks great to me put the finish on it and go to shooting,nice job.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on February 14, 2011, 06:01:00 PM
It looks nice to me David, like others have already said......I'd leave it alone.
Great job, now make me one from Osage.......I know you got some.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 14, 2011, 06:26:00 PM
It's already roughed out and starting to tiller Semo! haha
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on February 14, 2011, 09:43:00 PM
Boy you have been busy!

I got one in just about the same stage myself.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: snag on February 15, 2011, 10:20:00 AM
I'm heat treating the limbs to line them up and put a little reflex in them...another first for me!
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: twitchstick on February 15, 2011, 10:22:00 AM
Looks good! You give me hope to get one done myself.
Title: Re: First selfbow
Post by: fish n chicks on February 15, 2011, 09:28:00 PM
Curves like that should only exist in centerfolds. Excellent work. Don't scrape anything.

As far as finish goes, I have trouble staining bows. I'm not saying it shouldn't be done, but if you want to see your bow's natural beauty really shine, try rubbing boiled linseed oil on her about 4 times, with about 20 minutes between coats. Then give it about a week to really dry, and finally you can finish with your tru-oil. I haven't used linseed oil on osage before tho, but from what i've seen at the lumber store, it looks like it would react much like yellow heart. And if that's true, you won't be disappointed.