Oliver Stacy's Cumberland build-a-long! FINISHED

[Swissbow]

WOW, you knocked me off my feet. Marty that bow is just looking AWESOME !!!! Fantastic wood combo. I can see there's still a lot to learn for me.  

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Andy

[Apex Predator]

I rough up the glass under the overlays with 80 grit by hand, then clean all the pieces with acetone.  Do a dry run here to make sure everything mates well!  Sometimes you have to get creative in your clamping.  Overlays want to slide all over the place.  When using two pieces it's even worse.  Then it's on to the smooth-on.  Like always, I use too much!  









My three headed monster supplies a little heat.  I just want to keep everything nice and warm for several hours while the epoxy cures.

[metsastaja]

I see a run on the Ebony market. Seeing this build and having shot a recurve recently with an ebony riser I am impressed by the beauty of the wood and the additional weight.

Marty how much heavier will this bow be compared to your other cumberlands. I could not believe the difference between my zebrawood riser vs the ebony riser.

[Apex Predator]

In a straight longbow riser, which is pretty small, the difference is noticeable, but not very much.  The following is a specific gravity list of some favorite riser woods.

Kingwood 1.20, cocobolo 1.10, gaboon ebony 1.03, bloodwood .96, bubinga .88, wenge .88, granadillo .79, osage .76, zebra .74, hard maple .72, walnut .64.

Anything higher than 1.00 will sink in water.

[Oliverstacy]

I'm going to have my wife print this when it's finished so I can always go back and look at it.

The Ebony will help stabilize the bow along with a quiver full of arrows.

Looking great!

Josh

[Apex Predator]

Today I cleaned up the edge of the riser and tip overlays first.  Then I start to work on the tips.  I carry my string groove across the overlay on the tip.  Then I start to shape them.  First I have to narrow the tips, being carefull not to sand all my groove away.  I continue to deepen them as the tips width narrows.  Here are some photos.



I got on a roll and forgot to take some photos!  I used my free standing belt sander for most of the tip shaping.  Then I carefully sanded the joint with a dremel and then sandpaper by hand.  Here are the tips 80 percent complete.







Now to work on the riser overlay.   I use my 1" belt sander to thin the bevel some, then I tape the glass and dremel up to the tape.  Hand sanding finishes them out.  The joint on the tips get the same treatment.

Here are some before and after photos.

[Apex Predator]

I got some work done on the riser as well!  I'm gonna hate to put a piece of leather on this one.  I'm really diggin' it!

[Dmaxshawn]

Simply.   WOW!!!!!

[Oliverstacy]

No leather ...I agree to cover it up would be a shame!

It is simply too nice!

Josh

[ChristopherO]

Marty, this last page has shown me that I am not too far off in my methods in smoothing out the overlays.  But, you expertise definetly shows through!
I agree, some risers just don't need a leather grip glued to them.  If a grip is necessary at all for hunting then pull over a section of bike innertube, inside out, for traction and peel it off when you want to admire the beautiful work.
Again, great job.

[Over&Under]

Goodness Marty, that is some fine work!  Your glue lines are simply flawless!!

Really likeing this so far!

[juneauhunt]

I'm spinning in my chair like a school kid! Simply masterful. And I agree; ix-nay on the eather-lay.

[gudspelr]

Another vote for no leather-WAY too cool looking as is.  Great job

[steadman]

Great lookin bow Marty. Can you say checkered grip  

[ron w]

Very,Very nice Marty, of course you know the Cumberland you built for me was prettier...lol! Oliverstacy you got a nice one there!!!!!

[SteveD]

Wow great lookin bow Marty. Nice work

[Bob L.]

Excellent!

[Apex Predator]

Bear with my folks!  Not much to see right now.  Lots of hand sanding.

[Apex Predator]

Not a lot to show right now.  I've got her hand sanded down through 150 grit.  After 220 grit I will fill the pores in the riser, then time to spray.

[Lamey]

man.... thats some nice work!   cant wait to see the finished bow.   Great post,  makes me want to put my order in.