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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: hormoan on July 07, 2007, 12:09:00 PM

Title: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: hormoan on July 07, 2007, 12:09:00 PM
No not litterally. I'm wimpy   :D  

You talented ones have my mind a buzz with attempting to make a bow. I'm thinking that I would start with limbs only for one of my risers for a start. Not having any forms for the limbs and, I know I can make them. My thoughts keep going back to seeing nice long big truck leaf springs that look like they would make a awesome form. For longbow style limbs. Then again with my gas axe and some heat and the proper application of torque presto maybe recurve style.

So my question is do any of you use them? Or has my mind sprung? Could have happened back in the 70's    :knothead:  

               Brent
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on July 07, 2007, 01:06:00 PM
You been drinking the Moose Drool again.  :p    :wavey:
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: kennym on July 07, 2007, 01:14:00 PM
I like your thinkin! Keep us posted on this project!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: hormoan on July 07, 2007, 01:25:00 PM
Dang Ron must be something else, I never did get one of those Moose Drools. The name just kind of scared me off. And thats doing something considering it was COLD BEER?   :D  

                Brent
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on July 07, 2007, 01:29:00 PM
LOL You be sure to take pics when you get it laid out. Sounds interesting.    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: kctreeman on July 07, 2007, 04:27:00 PM
I'm sure they would work.  We are building bows not watches.  It's not as complicated as people make it out to be.
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: Starkman on July 07, 2007, 04:44:00 PM
I was speaking with Jerry Fisk, a very well known bladesmith and told me he wants to make a damascus bow.  I thought he was joking...maybe not after all.
Bob
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: SOS on July 07, 2007, 11:44:00 PM
I LOVE it....that's Moose Drool.  Don't be afraid...good stuff!
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: dachba on July 07, 2007, 11:46:00 PM
I have a Navajo knife made from a truck leaf spring... (grin)

Dave in Ft. Collins, CO
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: Jason Jelinek on July 08, 2007, 12:08:00 AM
Some Indian bows (Asia) were made of tempered steel.  They looked like recurves and were used for ceremonies/war/hunting.  I think a truck leaf spring would be a little thick, but using tempered high carbon steel (spring steel) would make a nice bow if you kept the mass down.

Jason
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on July 08, 2007, 05:36:00 AM
Brent is talking about using the springs to make a form guys., not actual limbs...LOL
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: uncowboy on July 08, 2007, 06:16:00 AM
I have seen them used in home made X bows. They were very sucessfull. J.Michael
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: Osagetree on July 08, 2007, 09:10:00 AM
I got what you mean hormoan. It does sound like it would be possible.

That is what I really like about this site. New ideas, thinking out of the box, originality, cost effective ideas.

Keep us posted if you try it out and I don't beat you to it!
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: hormoan on July 08, 2007, 02:16:00 PM
Osagetree I'd be proud if you gett'r done first, you have a head start having done a lot of limb work already. And I have NONE!!!!


Thanks for the replies, I have had more than one chuckle out of it all. I know it sounds kind of crazy, BUT I keep seeing those same limb flowing lines in old truck leaf springs. Taking two of them contoured in the same lines, length is no issue for 3pc takedown designs. They can be clamped together for a form, and should be plenty heavy enough. And with proper clamps and the right amount of heat, bent at your desire. Not so sure you could not lay up both limbs side by side on some models. So much for crazy random thoughts!


                                                       Brent
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: R.W. on July 08, 2007, 05:21:00 PM
The truck spring form idea has possibilities. Most of these springs are 3-5 inches wide, so wouldn't you have to cut them length wise, also? If you didn't, wouldn't your lams slide around a lot, allowing them to end up out of alignment?

R.W.
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: bayoulongbowman on July 08, 2007, 05:23:00 PM
if that works??? cool idea!!! :)
Title: Re: Bow limbs outta truck springs? Don't be afraid to look!
Post by: Crooked Stic on July 08, 2007, 10:07:00 PM
I think you might be on to something here.