Hickory flatbow, maiden attempt

[Tvoskamp]

Howdy,

This is my first effort at bowmaking. Please let me know what you think. The bow is asymetrical, 60 pounds at 29" and the bow is 60" long

Thanks,

Travis

Unstrung Profile
 

Braced
 

Full draw on tree.
 

Full draw shooting.  

[Eric Krewson]

My first was much worse. That said, you have both limbs hinged about 10" out from you riser. This I why you have so much string follow.

Make a gizmo to check your tiller on your next bow. This will prevent the hinges.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=033419

[Tvoskamp]

Eric,

What do you mean by a tillering gizmo, and do you think this bow will remain shootable or do you think it will fail soon.  Thanks for your input

[Jack Denbow]

Check the link that Eric provided.

[Tvoskamp]

I am going to try to remove some wood from the fades and see if I can get this bow bending more in the handle. I will post some pics and keep you all updated. Eric thanks for your input.

Travis

[ChristopherO]

You are correct that it needs to bend more in the handle area.  That said you have already introduced the compression to the wood and the mid limbs will always have the set there is in them now.  
Like Eric said, it is better than my first, too, and you look like you are having fun shooting it, which is important.  Hickory needs to be real dry, 6% isn't too little I've found.  You have good wood working skills that show that it isn't just a hack job.  I've, yet to make a complete hickory bow that I am truely satisfied with but that is NOT the wood's fault.  When my bower's skills progress further I intend to possess a very fine hickory bow that should last for many years.

[Tvoskamp]

Christopher,

Thanks for your encouragement. It means alot and I am pumped to be apart of you fellow bowyers. I worked on my bow some and reduce the wood in the fades and the bow I think is bending nicer into the fades. Even though I put the set in the limbs earlier I think it is better and it shoots pretty sweet. It ended up at 52 pounds at 29" and is 62" in Length. I will post some finished pics later.

[Springbuck]

In fairness, , yes you have hinges, but you are putting that bow to work with the 29" draw, and the short length.

[Tvoskamp]

I am almost finished with the finishing process on this bow. After I get it all done I will post some pics. I am really excited as to how it is turned out. I stained it with a walnut stain and it has turned out looking like Whitetail tines. I will get some pics up soon.

Springbuck thanks for the good word.

[Tvoskamp]

Thanks springbuck

[Roy Steele]

It needs to be tiller a bit more down toward the handle.And alittle toward the tips.Stay back about 4 of 5"s keep them stiff.
 Don't give up,good start.

[Roy Steele]

It needs to be tiller a bit more down toward the handle.And alittle toward the tips.Stay back about 4 of 5"s keep them stiff.
 Don't give up,good start.