2018 Annual Bow Swap Progress Thread

YosemiteSam · May 14, 2018, 04:25:46 PM

Thanks. Wasn't clear to me if that was the obligation of the giver or the receiver. But I'll do both.

canopyboy · May 14, 2018, 05:31:18 PM

Definitely an obligation for receiving party. Highly recommended for the sender too though. As was mentioned, definitely adds to the excitement.

Dannon · May 14, 2018, 10:18:42 PM

Question....I'm currently working on another bow for myself and it's really turning out nice! Can I use the one I'm currently building for my swap bow instead?

inksoup · May 15, 2018, 02:29:42 AM

Here is latest update....

this weekend i will be shooting some arrows. then it will be ready to ship.
i made some changes after taking pics.
added some leather on arrow rest, natural tree skin to side of arrow rest, 3d printed luminescent archery logo on one limb etc...

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best.

Roy from Pa · May 15, 2018, 06:14:34 AM

Not bad, Ink.

Are you leaving the tips that blocky?

inksoup · May 15, 2018, 06:46:45 AM

yes roy i will leave tips blocky. gives some weirdly looking and i like that...

canopyboy · May 15, 2018, 08:14:59 AM

Quote from: Dannon on May 14, 2018, 10:18:42 PM
Question....I'm currently working on another bow for myself and it's really turning out nice! Can I use the one I'm currently building for my swap bow instead?

Up to you. If it meets the specs, can be shipped on time, and you're happier with it then it seems like a no-brainer.

Roy from Pa · May 15, 2018, 08:34:14 AM

Ink, that's entirely up to you leaving them bulky.

I wouldn't though.

Distracts from performance and looks.

Dannon · May 15, 2018, 09:29:29 AM

Canopyboy, I'll post pics of the bow I'm working on now then. I done some things different on this bow that I like better. It'll be finished in time, just like some final sanding and spraying a finish. I shot it last night several times, shoots really good! I'll post some pics of it this afternoon.

BMorv · May 15, 2018, 09:38:55 AM

Nice job Ink. I like it.

I didn't want to jinx myself, but I'm gonna call this one finished. Got the finish on, and shot some more arrows through it. It's fast and fun to shoot.

Now I just need to build a crate and get it shipped off, somewhere....

Garman · May 15, 2018, 11:05:32 AM

Bmorv is that black glass on the belly? Then you just glued up handle over the top...? Sorry just new to all of this. Looks very nice

BMorv · May 15, 2018, 11:29:21 AM

Garman, it's an all wood tri lam. That's ipe on the belly that has that rich dark brown color. It's the best piece of ipe I've found in 3 years of looking.

Garman · May 15, 2018, 11:46:04 AM

Very cool looking, almost looks (from pics) like black glass.

BMorv · May 15, 2018, 12:41:01 PM

Thanks Garman

YosemiteSam · May 15, 2018, 03:08:03 PM

First Swap - Entry-level build
To be fair, I gave fair warning that I was building a board bow & that I should be paired with another entry-level builder out there. I attempted three different experimental builds before getting this one to work out. But with precious little time to get this thing done now, I can honestly say that I've done better finish work. But aesthetics aside, this bow is shooting better than I expected. My 20-yard gap is right around 7" with 600 grain arrows, which is better than I usually get with my homemade stuff. Arrows that were about 500 grains sounded much nicer coming off the bow & flew much faster. If I were to set this thing up, I'd drop to 4" fletching on a 500 grain arrow.

This is a simple hickory-backed maple. My son helped with the roughing out stage. I taught him a little about using a block plane. He often comes to hang out and chat when I work on archery gear.

I put in a couple inches of backset (perry reflex?) at the glue-up stage. After shooting in, the bow holds no set. It's 65" NTN. It's asymmetrical -- bottom limb is about 1.25" shorter. 1.5" at the fades, parallel for the first half and tapering to 1/2" nocks. There's a small knot in the belly in the upper third of the top limb so I left that part a little stiff, as well as the last 6" or so of each limb.

My wife ran over the scale I use on the tillering tree while I was scraping so I'm guessing it pulls about 45# at 28" but I wrote 40# expecting it to drop a little after a few hundred more arrows run through it. We'll call it 40+#. Hopefully, my victim can find a use for it or, if not, give it away to a newer archer out there. I'd be absolutely tickled if somebody were able to use this successfully on a hunt.

I'm pretty well humbled by the bows I'm seeing made on here. I'm not in the league of craftsmanship of most of you but I'll take this as an opportunity to learn what I can & appreciate the opportunity to participate. All constructive feedback is appreciated.

BMorv · May 15, 2018, 04:28:52 PM

Nice Yosemite. Your tiller looks great as far as I can see.

EvilDogBeast · May 15, 2018, 05:31:20 PM

Ok, I have this thing finish sanded and I'm taking it to work tomorrow to clear coat it. Here is what I have as of right now, final pictures to follow tomorrow.

monterey · May 15, 2018, 05:58:00 PM

Wow, that's a beauty. Hmmmm... beauty and the beast?

Well done.

Dannon · May 15, 2018, 06:50:49 PM

Evildogbeast, what riser wood is that. Very nice bow!

EvilDogBeast · May 15, 2018, 07:08:10 PM

Thanks guys. Dannon, it's Santos Rosewood.