Christmas - 5 bow build along.. Dare you to keep up...LOL

[1oldbowguy]

I' am new to the site and still learning all about it.  I love the build along and yours was one of the best I have ever seen.  I' am sure that the young ones are very proud of the bows.  The bows were great and your comments were to say the least on line.  I love the print on the template, Red would be proud of you.

[Bradford]

Thanks to everyone for following along and the great input and compliments!  It makes it all worth while.

I hope I was able to show a few folks some tricks and how to's.. hope some of you where able to learn from my mistakes so you don't make them.  And hope all in all I was able to inspire someone.  Inspiration can crush depression, improve self worth and over all make you feel like you have a mission in life.  So everyone get out there a build!  I think I do it more for the idea that I might not have use of my hands in years to come due to my arthritis, but until that day comes, I will build, I will create, I will dream and keep moving forward.  Happy Holidays to all of you!

A few more pics from today after the rain stopped..







Poor Foxy.. got an ear piercing on this one.  My youngest nailed him square in between the eyes.. had a good laugh on that one!



And, took the time to clean the humble little shed where all the magic happens!  Ready to make some more!

[Bradford]

My personal learning experience from this....

Again this was a new bow design for me, so....

1.  I like the air hose system better than bands.  I feel, for me, I get a tighter glue line and it takes less time.  So I will build a new form for air hose.

2.  Doing more than one is actually kind of nice.  You can be working on one while the other is curing.

3.  Take the time to make sure your wood and form are all lined up and square.. makes less work later.

4.  The mouse sander by Black and Decker is one of the best tools ever!...LOL.  Saves time.

5.  Stay away from oily woods if possible.  They gum up the sand paper and make it hard for the clear coats to dry.

6.  I really like making one piece recurves!  I am going to make lot's more!  

That, I think, sums up the important points.

[razorback]

Bradford, you are an inspiration to those of us who procrastinate and are somewhat lazy. Great job and a great looking bunch of kids.
Merry Christmas

[Dmaxshawn]

Congrats you get my vote for awesomest dad of the year.  

Shawn

[fedora]

Thanks for the build along.  Awesome job and I am sure the kids loved it.

[Ricky Wallace]

Wow! I have enjoyed this build along!! You also get my vote for cool dad for the year! Now I just got to build me one of those!  Good work Bradford!!

[Greg Szalewski]

Very nice job Bradford!!!!!!Your ambition is wearing off on me. Thanks

[red hill]

Great build-a-long, Bradford! Your kids look thrilled with their gifts.  Good job.
Stan

[camoman]

Awesome buildalong!

[Bradford]

Thanks everyone!  Was lots of fun.  Getting ready to finish up the take down I started for my dad.  I will start a seperate build along for that one next week when I get back to it!

The kids love the bows!  They don't even take them to their rooms.. they stand them up next to each other in the living room so everyone can see them!  To COOL!