The bad...
1) I've broken 3 ipe bows. 2 boo and 1 hickory backed
2) I'm now working on my 6th or 7th bow now, and only have one other shooter.
3) My lungs hurt
The good...
1) I can prep boo and work my bandsaw 200% better than I could when I started.
2) I FINALLY HAVE A BBI TILLERED TO DRAW AND WEIGHT...WITHIN 1 POUND OF TARGET!!!
3) The tiller isn't as perfect as you guys get...but I'm confident in saying it is the best I can at this point of my bow-building (my second successful bow).
4) I've learned from my mistakes. Carefully, carefully check the grain. No tillering on the best sander. Clamps very even on glue-up. Don't tiller the ends too much at first. Use the gizmo...dummy.
I would like to thank all those who've helped me. Although I won't make the due-date for the trade, I've gotten the hardest part behind me. Still ahead is cutting the shelf, shaping the handle, and final sanding and finishing. I'm jazzed. Like I said, tiller ain't perfect...but this is all I got at this point. I will continue to build more and keep getting better now that I got my mojo back! My goal is to make one of those treasures like was built for me. Heck...I might make another for the guy I'm trading to as I get better.
YEEHAW! My "bow for an ape" finally worked!!! Even pulled her 1" past draw length to make sure.
Take care...I will sleep well tonight.
Brad
Glad it worked out. I put you down as shipping late.
What happened to your first 3. Did the backs fail or was it the ipe belly?
As long as the "Good" outways the "Bad" you are on top. Learning form our mistakes makes them educational and not a loss.
This is why i ma a whimp and build glass lam bows... I am too impatient.. good for you man! Keep it up...
i think in one of the tbb not sure what volume "you will learn more from the bows you break then the bows you make" great job
maybe some red oak boards would have saved those bows lol
Congratulations on your shooters, Brad. 14 over the course of 3 years for me. But I finally go a shooter long about '93 and have managed to get a few more since then. :) Jawge
Good job, Brad. Karrow is right, TBB 1 says you'll learn more from your failures. I know I have.
Stan