Another board bow

[Rich Evans]

OK, guys I haven't been on this site for a long time. Well the bug bit me again and I wannna start makin bows again. I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment now and lost my 2 car garage workshop. So I started working on some bows that don't require a lot of space to work on. I have also been going to the local park and using one of the picnic tables as a work area...get lots of attention and weird looks too.  So here are some pics. I live by myself so I don't have anyone to take a full draw pic. This bow is an oak board bow, 70" ntn, 50# @ 28".  It has a vinyl screen backing that I am trying for the first time.  I saw this stuff at Ace Hardware and I tried to rip and tear it. I couldn't. I bought a 1' x 6' piece for $2.99. I hope it works out and is a durable as I think it will be.  











Sorry for the blurry pics

[Rich Evans]

still gotta finish sand and stain and seal, haven't got to shoot it yet, but thinkin about going to an abandoned lot near my apartment this afternoon and givin her a try.

I also need to name her. I never have named a bow before, but I am gonna start. I think it gives them an identity.

[4est trekker]

Nice bow.  Is that vinyl anything akin to upholstery vinyl?  If so, I believe it stretches, which would mean that the backing is only going along for the ride.  Just my $0.02 worth    

[Dano]

Ahh life is good when you can build a bow again. Hi ya Rich, nice lookin bow buddy.

[Rich Evans]

its not like upholstery vinyl, it is like a spiderweb of small strands, i stretched it as i put it on the bow. it doesn't stretch anymore than rawhide or silk, which i have used both with good success.  i believe the backing just has to be strong to protect the back of the bow, in this case the oak did pop a small splinter about 8" up from the top of the handle.  i have pulled it about 25 times now with not a sound. i hope it holds for the long haul.  starting another board today and am gonna back it with burlap strands like doing sinew.

[4est trekker]

Cool!  Might have to look into that stuff.  Thanks, Rich!

[Innocente]

that backing looks really cool.  come  back and let us know when/if it detonates, rich, and if so after how many shots.

imma try me that burlap backing too, that just looks cool.

[Ricker]

Hy Rich....
Looks like not having a good place to build a bow didn't keep you down.  Great job and keep on keepin' on brother man.......

[Rich Evans]

ok, i shot it today, with carbon arrows, sorry its all i had, my woodies are in the storage unit, and haven't got a chance to dig them out.  it shot fast, but that was in the apartment at about 10 feet.  it spits the carbons with some authority. actually i think its the fastest 50 pounder I have made to date aside from the bamboo backed hickory that popped a handle off after 20 or so shots.  now i gotta final sand and rub on some dark walnut stain and wipe on poly.

Best of all the backing held up. remember i said it popped a small splinter while tillering at about 28".  Not a sound after the backing was glued on.  I let the bow sit for about 3 hours strung in the apartment to see how it would hold up also.

oh and immediately after unstrung it had 1/2" of string follow and settles out to no follow after rest.  i may talk to a buddy and see if he will take some pics of it at full draw.

[4est trekker]

Good work!      

[Rich Evans]

try this video  its not the best just tryin out the feature

[Bow-cephus]

Hey Looks Awesome Man, would you mind sharing your dimensions to another beginner board bow builder?

[Innocente]

hey i like this video posting thing.  i didn't realize you put such prominent nock overlays on that baby, it looks great in the video!

[Rich Evans]

Specs for the bow are as follows:

70.5" nock to nock
1.5" wide from fades to mid limb, which for this bow was 17" from center line of the handle. Tapers from 1.5" wide at mid limb to just under 1/2" nocks.  

Handle was left 3/4" thick and smoothly tapers into the limb thickness. I can just start to feel a bend in the handle through the built up leather handle material. Handle is built up leather strips soaked with super glue and filed to shape. Handle is only 1.25" wide, so not much narrower than the full width of the limbs.  

Sorry the video only shows the lower limb, i gotta do some adjusting of the camera and distance away so I can get more of the bows in the picture.  

This bow pulls 50# @ 28" and is ever so smooth getting there. I really like it.

[JEFF B]

thats real nice man well done  

[Bow-cephus]

Thanks alot and it really looks great, I was also curious what aplicator did you use to put on the backing strip?

[George Tsoukalas]

Very nice! Jawge

[SoNevada Archer]

way cool due!

[Rich Evans]

backing was glued with titebond III. cut the backing to just over bow width dimensions and sized the back a couple times with tb III and then laid down a good wet coat of TB III and laid the backing. worked it smooth with wet fingers and a rag.