I'm ready to enter the Trad Gang bow trade, Did I miss the deadline or has it even started?? Thanks Chuck PS is it a big problem living in Canada??
Thanks again, Crgibson
Sometime in January is I think is when it got kicked off.
Thanks Soopernate. Look forward to it... Crg
nope canada is fine.eh!
I'd like to put in one of my beaver handle osage selfbows..How do I do it ???
Jeff I dont know, You have to wait for someone else to pipe up or wait for a Trad Gang announcement.
Crg
The swap is over.
There will be another one so just keep an eye out.
Sign ups will be in early January and the deadline will be the first week in July just like the last two years.
Just keep an eye out for the signup thread in January. There will be a few rule changes that I think will solve the problem of someone not shipping a bow. Had one do it last year and one this year. But after many suggestions and alot of thought we figured out how to stop it from happening again. :readit:
Look for it, It will be here before you know it.
Thanks Guys,, I'll keep my eyes peeled
Crg
Oh I cant wait, I have the sister Osage stave, a hickory stave and a hikory bow blank. After watching last years I want a back up plan for my back up plan.
My new backup plan after last year is not to start the bow in June!
Is the selfbows only or is the guys making Glass bows
It is my understanding that this bow trade(like the others we've had) is for each of us that is participating to make a bow for our recipient and not just pick one of your already made bows. Find out what your recipient likes as far as bow length, draw length and weight, etc and custom make it for that person. It is probably a good idea to pick out the stave you will use now and even take it down to basic bow shape so when the starting gun goes off you can jump right in and begin your bow. From that point it really doesn't take long to reach the finished bow. Remember this trade runs from January until July. During that 7 month time period you can post pics of the progress of your bow and get help with problems you may run into. This is a team effort and can really be helpful to the newbies that want to join in but don't have the confidence to.
Also remember your skill level doesn't matter. By the time this trade is over you will be a better bowyer than before and it is a community project and not just a way to get a free bow. It was originally set up as a bow givaway, you making the best bow you can for your recipient. It is not about the bow you recieve. If you are only getting into this trade for what you will get out of it you are starting off on the wrong foot and may be dissatisfied with the bow you recieve. If we go into the trade as a learning/teaching experience we will all come out winners.
So, when the times comes lets all put our best foot forward and challenge ourselves to make the best bow ever. I don't mean for you to experiment with unproven methods and techniques that might or might not work out but make the best bow you can and push the envelope a little to help improve your own abilities.
QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B:
It is my understanding that this bow trade(like the others we've had) is for each of us that is participating to make a bow for our recipient and not just pick one of your already made bows. Find out what your recipient likes as far as bow length, draw length and weight, etc and custom make it for that person. It is probably a good idea to pick out the stave you will use now and even take it down to basic bow shape so when the starting gun goes off you can jump right in and begin your bow. From that point it really doesn't take long to reach the finished bow. Remember this trade runs from January until July. During that 7 month time period you can post pics of the progress of your bow and get help with problems you may run into. This is a team effort and can really be helpful to the newbies that want to join in but don't have the confidence to.
Also remember your skill level doesn't matter. By the time this trade is over you will be a better bowyer than before and it is a community project and not just a way to get a free bow. It was originally set up as a bow givaway, you making the best bow you can for your recipient. It is not about the bow you recieve. If you are only getting into this trade for what you will get out of it you are starting off on the wrong foot and may be dissatisfied with the bow you recieve. If we go into the trade as a learning/teaching experience we will all come out winners.
So, when the times comes lets all put our best foot forward and challenge ourselves to make the best bow ever. I don't mean for you to experiment with unproven methods and techniques that might or might not work out but make the best bow you can and push the envelope a little to help improve your own abilities.
Couldn't have put it any better than this.
Heck I will be really pushing the envelope this year let me tell you. I get to go from admin to a player. :)
Bout time ya do something Kelly:)
I know Roy I know. With any luck I draw your name so I can make a little sissy bow, cause lord knows them old men out in PA can't draw a mans bow. :)
Man I feel like I was busted. Sure was not my intent for the Trad Trade. My big reason is I'm getting too feel a little more confident in my bow building. But my biggest reason is I'm starting to develop some bad habits. Going to fast and getting sloppy so I figure if I commit to building a bow for the bow trade I will slow down and get my head on right. And like Pat said challenge yourself.
Good point to get your stave picked out and start a rough shape early
Thanks, Chuck
Chuck, IMO that is exactly what these bow trades are all about...helping upcoming bowyers over the rough areas so they can help the next group coming behind them.
The one lesson I learned that changed my bows to real BOWS is learning to slow down. From floor tiller on I only use a scraper. That alone slowed me way down.
Also, it you feel yourself getting frustrated or angry, put it down and walk away. Come back later when your mind is clear.
Post any problems you have here and we will walk you through it.
Thanks Pat,
I never get to upset during a build. My problem is I get in a hurry cant wait to get that string on and shoot it, You hit it right on the head I have been just making bows not real bows But getting closer. Thanks again your friend, Chuck
OH Kelly, don't make me take a road trip to Kansas:)
Chuck that is the hardest thing I had to learn was to slow down and know when to quit trying to tweak it just a little more.
Pat finally beat it into my head after many discussions and good laughs.
I had a time for sure this past swap and I already got three or four floor tillered and ready to go for next year. I actually am setting a goal to have mine done next year in March. We'll see :D
Thanks Kris,
Man you said it, Knowing when to Quit tweaking it. Somewhere's along the line I got it into my head After I get my first low brace with the short string I had to get both limbs just right, perfect at half weight. I'd spend so much time here and I would finley get it BUT I'v made a lot of underweight bows. I did Figure it out on my own just recently. So this last bow I'm finishing up is a lot better a little Hickory D-Belly its coming in at 48-50# at 25".. Thanks again Kris for helping me see the light
Your friend, chuck
i'm really excited for this and cant wait for January to get here for this reason
Love this place!!! Even a green bean like me can participate :)
Much looking forward to participating this year as well. I've watched several Trag Gang swaps from the bleachers and finally feel confident enough to ask someone to send me their hard work in exchange for my own.
Pat,
Well said!
Kelly & Kris,
Thanks for the time & effort both of you donate to make the trade happen; it is appreciated!
Kris,
I'm curious as to how the new rules will make the bow exchanges foolproof? I'm not being negative, I just can't think of a surefire way in my tiny little pea brain!
PatB, you hit the nail on the head! I still consider myself a neophyte bowyer but making headway. Your comments are always helpful.
LittleBen, I felt the same way last year. I didn't think I could produce a bow worthy of sending to anyone else. But I'll tell you, bud, the experience of the bow swap really helps improve your skills.
Right now I'm working hard to harvest a deer with my ambush bow provided by Keenan. Not having much luck these days but the season is still a long way from over.
Kansan,
Next year anyone that did not ship on time or is new I will have their builder hold their bow until they ship. This will include myself. I will also require that they provide a tracking # as proof of shipment, only cost like .70 cents extra or so.
I know nothing is fool proof but I think this is as close at we can get.
The best part of the swap for me is learning new stuff and seeing everybody else get a bow from the one of the guys here on the bench. Love some of the post after guys and gals get a new bow.
Stiks
I have not seen any mention of whether this is only self bows or are glass/wood lams included? I'd like to play but so far the few self bows I've made are very un-remarkable! :biglaugh:
OTOH, my flatbows are getting there and I actually liked the last few completed.
Its ANY trad bow. You basically put in what you CAN make and the "organiser" tries to match it up with someones request.
I for one will make a take-down glass laminate for the next trade. This time round international shipping caught me unawares. A single loooong package is far too expensive to ship. :)
I built a selfbow for my recipient this year..a couple years ago it was a BBI...next year it will be glass. I like to try new things
Hope they are over 40 pounds, Nate:)
If I draw you next year I will make sure that YOURS is precisely 41...
So, how do I get in on this?
MW, signups will be sometime in the new year. Stick's will put up a post with the rules and instructions for signing up. Check out the begining of this years thread, though I don't think you want to read the one that is up to 178 pages, that is after the start. there is another one that will tell you how this works.
if you use the search feature you can find all info on the swap if you type in bow swap or bow build
Here's the 2011 sign up thread with the rules. There will be a few minor changes.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=004806#000000