Been wanting to make and hunt with a selfbow for awhile now and just decided it was time to scratch that itch. I read "Making Indian Bows and Arrows..the old way" last winter and it gave me enough info to get some wood and begin tinkering. I cut some green ash and split it and put it in the garage until about a month ago. At that time I began watching Mark Keller's and Gary Davis' DVD's and I read "The Bent Stick".
Decided I would do a "practice" bow just to get the feel for all the tools and to build the tools I would need. Didn't want to waste a long stave so I decided to make a little short bow out of a short piece I had. I pretty much followed Mr. Davis plans other than the bow is only 46" long tip to tip.
Went through all the "steps" and I think I have it bending pretty good - but would like any advice from you guys on here that know much more than I! Since it is only 46" long I figured about a 18" draw or so. At that draw it is pulling about 35 lbs.
The pics are at about 11", 15" and 18" draw. Any suggestions before I start into my 68" stave would be greatly appreciated.
Also - I used the tillering gizmo shown on here by Eric Krewson. When using this how far down the limb do you go? Do you stop tillering when the gizmo hits the string (which would be about 3" from the string?
Thanks for any help - Mitch.
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/mosborn1007/BowBuilding2011015.jpg)
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/mosborn1007/BowBuilding2011016.jpg)
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/mosborn1007/BowBuilding2011017.jpg)
Looks pretty good. l'd leave midlimb out to the tips alone and get more bending from just past the fades to mid limb.Watch that fade area though it is bending quite a bit. That;s why I said work the area beyond the end of the fades. What is the green? Jawge
I have to say George nailed it. Looks pretty dang good for your first bow. Mine first few looked alot worse and became firewood LOL
Now your hooked for sure, Building bow is like tater chips... You can't stop at one.
Outer third on the left limb is bending too much. Work the area just outside the fades to midlimb a bit.
Right limb bends a bit too much from midlimb out. Work the inner half.
Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will play around with it a bit more for practice and try John's advice.
I also think Stiks is correct about the tarter chips - I am hooked and can't wait to get started on the next one. My wife thinks I am nuts - her quote: "Wouldn't it be easier just to buy another bow?"
Jawge - the green is some tape I used to hold the end of the tillering string out of the way. I just grabbed some painters tape that was laying on the bench.
Mitch