Finally got the chance to start working on my first bow. I've decided to make a red oak pyramid bow based off of 4est trekker's tutorial from back in 2009.
Went down to Home Depot and got all the rest the tools I'll be needing (minus a jigsaw/ bandsaw that I now know would come in handy).
This is the only board I found. The grains are fairly straight and I'm pretty sure that the long growth is enough.
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab22/Alchir/IMG_20140324_200152_005_zps3c2fd489.jpg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/Alchir/media/IMG_20140324_200152_005_zps3c2fd489.jpg.html)
Next I drew out all my measurements and cutting lines. I cut out the riser and tip overlays. I'm hoping that tomorrow I can borrow the use of a jig or bandsaw to cut out the bow. Then I'll get to gluing and the real work can start. If not I'll have a slow go of it with a coping or handsaw.
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab22/Alchir/IMG_20140324_200205_185_zpse753b401.jpg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/Alchir/media/IMG_20140324_200205_185_zpse753b401.jpg.html)
Any tips as I progress are greatly appreciated! I'll continue to post as I progress.
My only tip is that you shouldn't follow 4est Trekker's buildlong...he didn't know what he was talking about. He really should redo that buildalong now that he's not such a bowbuilding dunce! :)
In all seriousness, take it slow and have some fun! :)
Hahaha! Well if he does make another one I'll follow that one as well!
I'm having a ton of fun so far and I've barely begun. My only hangup is the cutting out part. Soon I'll invest in a jigsaw, but for now it's lots of tired forearms for me! haha :D
I used my old Skil circular saw to cut the profile on the first couple of board bows I made. I free handed it staying well outside the line, but you could clamp a board to use as a fence if you have that kind of saw. Very first one was a pyramid following 4est's build along and amazingly, given my lack of skills, it decided to become a bow. I'm working on my 11th bow now. If I ever run into Mr. Trekker, I'm going to thank him and offer to buy him a cold one or two. :)
Can't really tell from the photos, but if you don't have a center line on the bow go ahead and check it with some string. If your measurement references are from the edge of the board and it is a little warped then your bow will be as well. The more time you spend in layout double checking everything, the better.
One of my first bows I built I didn't check the center line and ended up with tips about 0.5" off to one side... which I had no idea how to fix at the time.
Looks good and good luck!
Tips? Ditto the need for a dead on centerline. And, speaking of "tips", to my eye your tips may be a bit wide but it could be the camera angle or maybe just my personal preference
I always make tips wide and leave the handle area wide for future adjustments once the bow is braced. You don't need either to be shaped to tiller the bow anyway.