54" Hybrid Build-Along

[bigbob2]

awesome work!

[chall]

thanks for posting , it is looking awesome . I really like the tips.

[JGR1269]

I went to work this morning on shaping the grip and blending the handle into the fadeout area. I did everything on the oscillating spindle sander with a 2" drum and some 50 grit sanding sleeves. When I first started using this sander I went through the 80 grit 4 1/2" sleeve that came with it pretty fast. So, I came up with the idea of using three 2" x 1 1/2" sleeves that I could stack instead of one 4 1/2" sleeve. This way I can rotate them around when they start to wear and utilize the full face of the sleeve. It has worked great and I have done several bows with these 3 sleeves.





I start out by matching the throat area up to the 2" drum. Remember, I started with a 1 5/8" hole that I bored with a Forstner bit.



I also took some material off the heel of the grip since I cut it big to start with.



Now I start taking the width down in the throat area on both sides of the grip.



Here's a shot of the shelf edge after I get the rough shape I want.



After some work I have the whole grip and the palm swell where it feels perfect for my hand.

[JGR1269]

Now I'll go to work on blending the transition from the grip area to the limbs. I lay it out with masking tape and start sanding.



I rough it in close and will finish it up with some 80 grit on a block before final sanding.



I have to do a little detail work on the belly side where the limb blends into the heel of the grip.



I do the same thing on the thumb side of the riser and blend the limbs into the offset in the handle.



I'm pretty much done with roughing in and now it's ready to be hit with a sanding block and lots of hand work.









Maybe later today I can get back on it and get the limb edges rounded. I don't want to take much off so I can keep the poundage close to where it's at right now. This is going to be one of my hunting bows for this season so I have something special planned for the finish on it. I've never tried it before but if it works out the way I plan, it will definitely change the way I put a finish on my bows. Stay tuned...

[chackworth3]

Tuned in

[chall]

  I look forward to this post every day. Thanks.

[BrushWolf]

Excellent build along. Great lookin bow to I really like the limb tips.

[choochoou]

Awesome job I'm so glad you're taking the time to do this post .Thanks .Joe

[JGR1269]

I peeled all the tape off the limbs and scaled it again prior to sanding the limb edges and final sanding. I'm curious to see how much I lose after sanding.





I went over it with some 80 grit on a rubber block and hand sanded all the sander marks out. Tomorrow night I'll go over it again with some 180 grit and sand the limb faces with 320 grit then I will be ready to seal up the wood with Deft.

[Mad Max]

Show us that Deft wood sealer   :confused:
 

[chackworth3]

Looking good Jon!

[MB_Sweden]

Great Build-Along
Alot of useful stuff!

Thanks for sharing!

[JGR1269]

Ok, all sanded with 320 then a Scotchbrite pad on the glass. I wipe it down with a damp lint-free shop towel and let it dry.



Here you go Mark, a shot of the Deft. After a wipe down with a tack cloth I sprayed 4 coats on the riser and limb edges then let it sit for 15 minutes or so. After it was dry I sprayed another wet coat on the whole bow. I'll let it dry overnight and wet sand the whole thing with 600 grit then apply several more coats. I repeat this until I have it perfect.

 







I plan on completing it this weekend if my new finish material shows up.

[Trux Turning]

It's really coming to life with some finish on it! Great job.

[jsweka]

Man that is a sharp looking bow and this has been one of the best build alongs I've seen!

[chall]

It looks great !

[JGR1269]

Thanks guys.

[Mad Max]

very nice
nice build along too

[chackworth3]

Looks great! Very good build along

[choochoou]

This has been awesome. this may be a stupid question but here goes.. When you wet sand what do you wet sand with is it water or something . Thanks again Joe