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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Balding Kansan on November 30, 2011, 07:47:00 PM

Title: Static tip questions.....
Post by: Balding Kansan on November 30, 2011, 07:47:00 PM
Just a few questions for the bowyer bench pros. I'd like to try a static tip recurve. It'll be out of good ol' sage. I'm looking for around 50 @ 29"

What dimensions should I shoot for? Wide limbs i'm guessing?

How does a guy keep the tips stable? By that I mean, "rolling" to one side or the other during the draw.

That's all for now, i'm still chasing a ring so i've got plenty of time to plan. Thanks!
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on November 30, 2011, 08:21:00 PM
Rigid or working handle? I finished a working handle static in October. Its 58" ntn,  1 1/8" at the widest. My taper starts about 2/3 limb and goes down to 1/2" wide tips. It pulls 57# @ 28", but I tillered it to 29". Its backed with thin rawhide even though the stave was spotless.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: Balding Kansan on November 30, 2011, 08:39:00 PM
Rigid handle. Are you satisfied with it's performance?
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: Art B on December 01, 2011, 08:03:00 AM
Osage is certainly the right choice for this design IMO. With Osage, even a rigid hanlde will work to a certain extent. That's a plus here.

Any reflex, flipped tips or recurves must be accounted for in limb design. Pearly has his right. Gotta beef up inner limbs which he did. A true pyramid design would hender this design unless the handle works.

Another option is to parallel (a more elliptical braced profile) your limbs to mid-limb and then taper to 1/2" tips. This will provide greater stability/width at the point of recurve.

Stability/non-twisting of the tips is achieved first by selecting the best clear/straight grained osage possible for a clean/aligned bend.
From there minor alignment can be corrected by heat/twisting of the limb (not the tip) and/or wood removal to provide/take out curve lean.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 01, 2011, 08:31:00 AM
I love that bow Tyler. Once you feel that "thud" from a recurve you built, will want to build many more. As we have all heard many times before, it doesnt take much osage to make a bow. It amazes me how thin the limbs are even at 1 1/8" wide, 57# and so short. I used a quart paint can to make my static form for this bow. The tips where about 5/8 x 3/4 when I steamed and bent them. One hour steam per tip.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: 4est trekker on December 01, 2011, 11:08:00 AM
I have found that underlays help not only keep a tip static, but keep it stable from lateral movement.  Also, if you happen to pop a splinter while bending them, you can always correct the error by thinning the tip and sandwiching the area beneath an underlay.  Here's some pictures:

 (http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Trade%20Bow%20for%20Eric%20Thieman/HPIM5318.jpg)

 (http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Static%20Recurve%20for%20Maggie/HPIM3726.jpg)

 (http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Maple%20Static%20Recurve/HPIM3653.jpg)

 (http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/2011%20TG%20Trade%20Bow/HPIM4924.jpg)


Also, I'm kind of a "one trick dog."  I like to use the pyramid design as much as possible, adapting it for the particular tendencies of the bow being built (short, long, recurved, reflexed, etc.).  Below is a 62" static tipped osage bow I built using a straight pyramid design that, when all was said an done, took about 1.25" of set at a 28" draw, but didn't follow the string.  I go SLOW in the tillering and get it bending to about four inches shy of the intended draw length.  That also gives me a good idea of what the final draw weight will be.  (That is, I plot it out on a force-draw curve and then assume it will loose 5#-8# in finishing/shooting in, but gain at least that much back when I bend the tips.)  Then I heat treat the belly into a gentle reflex, bending the tips, and retiller out to the intended draw length and bow hand grip (i.e. low heel, high heel, etc.).  I find this method to be accurate, easy to replicate, and a fast shooter.  The laminate and/or unlayed tips really allow you to keep them narrow with suffering from lateral twisting.  Hope that all helps!

 (http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Trade%20Bow%20for%20Eric%20Thieman/HPIM5291.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Trade%20Bow%20for%20Eric%20Thieman/HPIM5327-Version2.jpg)

 (http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Trade%20Bow%20for%20Eric%20Thieman/HPIM5288.jpg)
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: Stiks-n-Strings on December 01, 2011, 11:42:00 AM
4est I love those tips every time I see them.

I'll be watching this thread. Curved tips have been my arch nemesis so I'm sure I'll learn something here.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: Balding Kansan on December 01, 2011, 07:20:00 PM
I love that bow 4est.

Alright fellas. I've still got prep work to do so this thread will probably fade away for a short while.

So to simplify...you start out tillering the bow like a regular longbow, then flip the tips and re-tiller? Sound right?

Art B....I haven't ever came across a clean/straight grained piece of 'sage yet!! However, there is a beautiful stovepipe straight tree that fell over next to the creek....after deer season it's coming home with me!
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 01, 2011, 09:48:00 PM
Rough the bow out close to size, steam the tips and bend in your curves. Then shape and tiller.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: 4est trekker on December 02, 2011, 12:10:00 AM
Yes, I really like to get the bow bending nicely before I recurve the tips.  I leave the tips/outer third a tad stiffer than I normally would, though. Not the only way to do it, just what works for me.   :)
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 06, 2011, 03:50:00 PM
Curt do you notice any extra thump in that Grumley style tip? I was curious how the extra weight felt. I have never fully shot one. I have drew (a few times) a REALLY old one I shouldnt have......sorry Chuck.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: 2treks on December 06, 2011, 03:58:00 PM
:scared:    :saywhat:  
It WAS your bow.

I think that a well tillered bow will not thump the hand,no matter the design. All of the statics that I have shot,be they asian or Grumley in style, have been a joy.
That one 4est posted is a sweet looker. Judging by the tips and tiller I bet she is a joy.
Great looking bow Curt.

CTT
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 06, 2011, 04:39:00 PM
Kind of figured so. Otherwise they wouldnt have made so many and still make so many.
Title: Re: Static tip questions.....
Post by: AZStickman on December 12, 2011, 03:57:00 PM
This one turned our to be a real shooter.... Terry
 Osage Static Recurve (http://www.bowyersworkshop.com/ppbcombo1.htm)