to me... in my beginners mind... i think it was just to short for that wood and that draw length. the narrow limbs probably didn't help much either. tiller looks pretty good to my beginners eye

The tiller looks good to me too.  Glad you are sticking with it and making another one Zradix.  I had umpteen hours into a bamboo backed walnut (yeah, that was a bad choice) bow that fretted when I was doing the final tillering.  That is a sinking feeling.  It was a good trial run for the BBO I am finishing, though.  I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one.  Pine Hollow sells both hickory and osage boards if you are taking that direction for your next one.

I think the tiller looks pretty good too. Here's a question: Are the frets all along the belly on both limbs or are they localized to one or two areas?

The more spread out they are the better your tiller (i.e. very even tiller). If they're only in one spot, then it's a weak spot and an error in the tiller.

I think this is just the shortcoming of the material. Red-Oak is marginal at best. It will make a bow, but long draw nd short length are not meant for each other. My draw length is 25" and I will make a red oak bow, 62-66". I think you need to be thinking 70-72".

Also I'd find a hickory board for the next one if you wanna go cheap, or even better a bamboo backed osage or ipe blank.

You seem to have the patience and capacity to make a good bow, I think you need materials up to the task.

Thanks guys.

The frets are only in the top limb and start from a couple inches from the fades and go to about 6" from the tips.

I think you're right on with the material choice.
I mean, I know I could've made a decent bow from this piece of wood BUT I tried to force a design upon it that it couldn't take.

The fault is with me..
I'll just have to do some studying to find out which materials I need to make a bow designed the way I want.

Zradix,

You're right, I mean if you go wide enough and long enough anything will make a bow.

But who wants to shoot a 6" wide, 80" long bow made from radiata pine? Not me.

I'venot used osage personally, but 1000's of people cant be wrong. Ipe I have used and is also excellent. there are other hardwoods that are good, but if you don't already have materials, why settle for less. Get the best. Get ipe or osage.

Tenbrook will sell you bamboo and Ipe together, and they're reputed to be of very high quality. Think about it.

I will think about it...heck I HAVE been thinking about it.

I'm also tossing around the idea of bamboo backed yew..

I recommend a few more simple self bows before tackling more complex designs.

Well a scraped her down to 30# last night to see if I could get away from the chrysals.

They weren't there through the retillering.
Shot it about 30 times and they were there again.
Basically in the same spots.
Checked the tiller...looked and "gizmoed" fine.

So I said to heck with it..I finish sanded it..stained it..and just applied my first coat of wipe on poly.
..figured I could use the practice.
 

Don't give up.  My first bow was about 30# too  

I still have it.  It's ugly but it's mine.

that sucks. might have just been too narrow maybe?

I believe so.
Just bad design judgement on my part.
...there was a bow in there...I just cut through it..lol

thats a bleedin shame hope you were able to enjoy making it even if it didnt turn out as you wanted good luck with the next project

Oh I did.
Found a new hobby..obsession maybe..
Thanks for the luck!

I hope your endeavors go well also.

can't wait to see your next crack at it!

hahaha!

"Crack" at it

man..that's cruel...

But funny as hell...lol

awww man i didn't even mean it like that! pun not intended!    

sure...   :rolleyes:

We're good man..  

That was mean and nasty. I LMAO:)

definitly kicking a man when he's down but very good pun    

Nah guys..
He didn't really mean it that way..
I'm just playing