2021 what did you do today?

[Flem]

Sorry Roy. Its the curse of living a long life, you outlive all your friends and loved ones.
My 98yr old Dad can attest to that.

[mmattockx]

Sorry Roy. Its the curse of living a long life, you outlive all your friends and loved ones.

+1. Years ago I had a boss in his 80's and he went a lot of funerals as he outlived many of his contemporaries.

Sorry for your loss, Roy.


Mark

[Longcruise]

Sorry to hear this Roy.  If he had children of any age they may need you.  None of us ever outgrow the occasional need for the counsel of someone older and wiser.

[Carpdaddy]

Sorry for your loss Roy.

[wood carver 2]

Sorry for your loss Roy. Hopefully you have a bunch of good memories.
Dave.

[Longcruise]

The recurve is off the form and so far it's looking good.  Got it de-buggered and ready for lay out.  That's not the full riser.  I'll add another piece.   I've never layed out a center on a blank with this muc reflex.  Open to all suggestions on any aspect!

[attachment=1]

[attachment=2]

Just in time!  Major thunderstorms and rain on the shop floor 🙄

[attachment=3]

More to come of course.

[wood carver 2]

If the edges are parallel, you can lay it on it's side and use a pencil on a spacer to mark the centre line along the bow.
Dave.

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks guys..

[Crooked Stic]

Well catching up here this morning.
Sorry to hear of your loss Roy.
For you recurve handle belly overlays saw a 2x6 to fit the front of your riser shape. Put your bow on it to give a flat surface for your C clamps. You can then shape a piece to fit or I use pieces about .120 to overlay to the right thickness then shape the riser.

[Bowjunkie]

Longcruise, one method I use is to put it in a vise, back facing up, string side down. Level it as precisely as possible. I use a little machinist level, but any good level will do.

Then stretch a weighted string from one end to the other, centered on the ends of the blank, and 'drop plumb lines down' from the string to find the center of the handle area, and various places along the limbs. A few more marks are generally beneficial in the area with the most recurve.

Instead of an actual plumb bob, I've found it easier to use a good combination square with a level in it to mark the limb center directly below/plumb off the string. I make 5 or 6 marks on each limb then double check them by holding the square on the opposite side of the string at each mark, and when it all checks out... connect the dots with a flexible straightedge. A full length piece of fiberglass clamped down with spring clamps works well.

This is a good method to use in the absence of a big perfectly flat bench and will tell you if both limbs are in the same lateral plane, how well the riser and limbs are all aligned off the press... and perhaps how well your press is constructed.

If I didn't describe that well enough and a picture would help, just say so.

[Roy from Pa]

SO:)

[kennym]

Same as Jeff here ...

[Longcruise]

Wish I had a trustworthy flat surface and a way to perfect at least one side of the blank.  I got neither 😕

Jeff, on my simpler (less reflexed designs) I use pretty much the system you described.  I'm going to try that and study carefully before committing to it!

Thanks, once again the Bench knowledge pool provides excellent support. 👌

Roy, hope all is going well for your family.

[wood carver 2]

A lot of homes these days have granite or quartz countertops in the kitchen. That's about as flat as you need it to be for centre lining a bow.
I'm sure that the wife won't mind... 😉
Dave.

[Shredd]

  Those granite tops are not always flat... Check it first with a straight edge...

[Flem]

You don't necessarily have to have a dedicated table, which would have a large footprint. A chunk of salvage synthetic countertop with a backsplash still attached for rigidity, would make a good knock down table that could be stored standing on edge out of the way. Throw it on some sawhorses and check it with a straight edge.

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks Mike, things are as well as can be expected.

Just takes some time.

[onetone]

Long Cruise - One option is to build a portable dead-flat surface. A few years back I made one in the form of a long box for stability. Used MDF cause that is what I had on hand. Box has five partitions inside, vent holes on two sides of each compartment to equalize ambient humidity and several coats of poly on the exterior. Stored on the end it has remained true. BTW HF has 6' levels for under $30 which offer a great straight edge for checking flat surfaces.

My condolences to you Roy. It's never easy ...

[Longcruise]

All of these flat surface ideas are great and appreciated but I am plumb out of storage space!  I'm due for a roll off but the negotiations with my better half will leave little improvement.  😀

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks Joel..

Got this one done today.