What part do you hate/like the most in building a bow?

[critman]

Been turning 'em out like clockwork the past few months and that got me to thinking on what I like the most and what I don't like the most on building a bow. I like taking the first shot alot, but if it's someone else' bow its the look on their face when they shoot it. I really dislike filing/finishing nocks. Takes too long and I really just want to shoot it! How 'bout you?

[wood carver 2]

I like shaping the riser and launching the first arrow.
Dave.

[D]

I really like the first time I clean the glue off the sides of the riser and rub some denatured alcohol or acetone on it to bring out the color in the wood.  I like shaping the riser and tips but hate trying to blend the riser overlays.  Seems to take me so long.  I've never done a selfbow but I like the tillering part of a boo backed bow.  Until it lifts a splinter..lol that part I hate.

[darin putman]

Well I don't care much for splitting the trunk into staves, didn't realize all those years splitting firewood as a kid that I was in training. But love to see stave stash starting to grow. But I love to head out back and search for next tree to try, I do a lot more looking than cutting.

[Iron Eagle]

Debarking and hauling the fresh cut log out of the woods are my least favorite. Putting on the the finish and watching the grain come to life is the best for me.

[beachbowhunter]

Stringing a bow for the first time when the riser is still a block. It gives me the willies. You never know how heavy it will turn out, whether the tiller will be a mess or if a limb will blow!

[cunruhshoot]

Probably the most tedious process for me is getting my riser to match perfectly to my form with absolutely no light coming through. Back and forth from sander to form...sander to form until I get the perfect fit.

[takefive]

I like the anticipation of planning and laying the bow out, especially if it's a design I haven't tried.  If it works out and it's a nice shooter, then I love every part of the process.  But if it splinters or frets or takes a lot of set, well, that's the part I really hate.    :mad:      

[MoeM]

Likes are cleaning after glue up, first stringing and shaping riser
Hates are preparing the riser (fitting back and thinning fades) and finish sanding.

(I`m not a big fan of glueing and applying finish as well)

But the very best is shooting the first arrow...

[choochoou]

The worst for me is back and forth between the Sander and the form to get the riser just right the best is spraying the first coat and seeing all the colors pop! Joe

[Walt Francis]

By far, the part I dislike the most is spraying the finish.  I don't mind the sanding and prep work, but I suck at spraying the finish, seems it almost always takes several attempts, with lots of sanding between coats, before I get a passable finish.  Not a good finish, just barely passable.

I really enjoy most every other aspect of the bow building process but a couple stand out.  Chasing the last couple of growth rings on an Osage stave is super relaxing.  Watching the first time bowyer stalk the final tiller on their new bow and the look on their face when they shoot their first arrow with it.

[Bowjunkie]

No hate. Nothing but love... beginning to end. I'm having trouble even isolating a 'favorite' part.

[Bowjunkie]

No hate. Nothing but love... beginning to end. I'm having trouble even isolating a 'favorite' part.

[Ice Mike]

The part I hate the most is also the same part that I love. Tillering. I love it because you start seeing your bow come to life. I hate it because that's where it usually dies as well!!

[Troy D. Breeding]

Hate dealing with tapering the limb sides. Keeping everything matched and having those glass slivers sticking your fingers and hands is a pain.

Love the final sanding and applying finish. Seeing the final results come to life brings a smile.

[T Folts]

Not a fan of limb tips, mostly the string groves keeping them even. I like the shaping process of the riser and limbs. Putting on a finish that is flawless.(not often).

[cunruhshoot]

I just pulled one out of the oven this morning and was reminded of the clean up process and all the crazy sharp edges produced from the excess glue. I almost always get at least one irritating little cut...including this morning!

[canopyboy]

My favorite part is the final sanding before finish and after all tweeks to tiller are finished. The bow shoots sweet, there's a nice soft touch to freshly sanded wood, it's the part where I connect with the bow (or don't...)

Least favorite is hard to isolate, but some of the things that are in the running would include sanding the sides down on a glass bow, watching a self bow come in below weight again, waiting for wood to dry, waiting for the finish to dry, and making strings.

[canopyboy]

Ahh, now I remember my least favorite: the discussions with my wife about why I am making another bow, when I'm going to fit her projects in, etc.

[Drewster]

My least favorite part is harvesting a tree in summer and sweating like a hog......it's just plain old hard work.
I think my favorite part is putting on that first coat of finish and watching the wood come to life.  Shooting the finished product is pretty sweet top.