A few years ago a guy sent me a nice lemonwood stave(3/4x2x72) and a hickory backing strip to go with it.Today I decided to do a build along making an ALB, 68"n/n, 1 1/2" at the widest and straight out 12" before tapering to 1" tips(for now). The final tips will be about 3/8" at the string nocks.
I started out by drawing out the outline on the lemonwood, cutting it out and sanding it square.


...the stave as I received it, and the bow's outline drawn out...


...and cut out...


...detail of handle layout drawn out. I will wait until first low brace before reducing the handle shape and the tips in case I need to make corrections...


...here I've traced out the bow shape on the hickory backing strip...

...and finally today when I seperated the lemonwood from the backing strip(from when it was mailed to me a few years ago) I noticed this coloration and pattern. I don't know if the sender did this or it happened while the two pieces were taped together but I like it and will try to keep is as a decoration on the back.
I will have to sand it smooth so I don't know how it will turn out. I guess we'll see.


Anyway, this will take a while, especially with the glue up so please be patient.
I will add some reflex at glue up.

Perfect timing for me. I think I will be silent and follow along.

Thanks Pat

Looks nice, Pat. Looking forward to the build.

Bookmarked! Class in session

OK guys, please be patient with me. I'll get her done as soon as I can but that could be a while.

I've got a few more pics for you guys. I cut the backing strip to a rough shape slightly wider than the belly. Hard to see in this pic...
 

...lined the back and belly up together and camped them in place...
 

...then, a little secret that Pearl Drums told me about a few years ago...after being sure everything is lined up well and well clamped I drilled 2, 1/8" holes about 5/8" deep through the backing and into the belly but not all the way through. These will hold 2, 1/8" dowels that will act as alignment pins to keep the backing and belly in place while gluing it all together. These are the 3rd hand we always needed when messing with slimy glue. I've used this trick a few times now and it works like a champ.



I'm at a stopping point again while I get glue and bicycle tubes for the glue up. I'm going with Weldwood Plastic Resin, a urea type wood glue for this project. I've used it before with good results. The bicycle tubes won't be a problem since Brevard has become a mountain and road bike Mecca. We have 3 or 4 bicycle shops and they are always willing to give me as many punctured tubes as I want.
My next step is the glue up. I will first pre-tiller the belly some so I get a nice even reflex bend at glue up. I'll take pics of all this and post as soon as I do so til then....

Pat, what type of hickory is that? Looks different than any I've used. Cool on the dowel pins. I always use toothpicks at both tips and bow center to keep it straight for glue up.

Pat a good tip is to make the backing the same width as the belly or else you can get cupping on the backing when using tubes. It pulls more on the edges than the center. Forcing the exposed edges downwards and inwards.

Roy, I don't know which hickory it is. The coloration on the one side I think was added by the sender. I'd like to keep that color but after sanding it smooth I'm not sure how much will be left.
Mike, I'll make the back and belly the same size plus I may use a pressure strip to insure even clamping.
I usually add a small clamp to each tip even with the inner tube wrap and a couple of clamps at the handle to hold the handle area down while reflexing. Not sure if I'll add the riser at the glue up, before or after.

Neat stuff......I enjoy watching the progress.

Good point, Mike.

See, even an old dog can learn.    :D

LOL

Good stuff so far!  I also can't wait to see how that color and pattern on the hickory will look after it's all done.

Yeah, I'm hoping the coloration and pattern also remain in good shape after sanding.

I'm looking forward to seeing this one.  Thanks!

I'm having a hard time finding Weldwood Plastic Resin. I've checked all my local options and gone on line. I can find it on line but the stuff with the normal price($6.95-$8.95 for 1# tub) is not available and where it is available they want almost $30 plus shipping(about $15).
I do have Urac185 but the last time I used it was 4 or 5 years ago and it was 3 or 4 years old then. Even though it has been in the frig since I still don't think I can trust it.
I can and may use TBIII if I can't find the Weldwood Plastic Resin.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=+Weldwood+Plastic+Resin

It went up in price.  I bought the Weldwood plastic resin based on Pat's recommendation a couple months for $9 on amazon.  I just glued up a tri-lam with it 2 days ago.  I'll provide a review of it after I finish tillering it.  I'm impressed with it so far.