It begins again...

Pointed_stick · January 26, 2022, 10:52:17 AM

Managed to score at the lumber yard today! So the next bow is about to begin. This time in IPE, and have 2 different types of back material coming. Got enough to build 4 bows in lumber. Dry, straight, and a nice tight grain pattern with basically zero run off. My last build is a great shooter, but draws 32# at 28", legal for large game in my state is 40#. My goal for this 1 is to try and land in the 50-55 range @ 28". I can see this bow building thing becoming very habit forming....should have a flemish string jig, and some spools of b55 arriving tomorrow so I can make every part of this project. Will be searching the archives here for various bits of info as I go.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oAQECSUsi2jhMocc8

Appalachian Hillbilly · January 26, 2022, 11:47:30 AM

Post up pics as you go! I got a nice piece of IPE for my next riser

Pointed_stick · January 26, 2022, 12:35:09 PM

Quote from: Appalachian Hillbilly on January 26, 2022, 11:47:30 AM
Post up pics as you go! I got a nice piece of IPE for my next riser

Will do! Never worked with IPE before, sounds like it's gonna be a good time. Same fire rating as concrete they say,lol

kennym · January 26, 2022, 01:34:32 PM

Use good dust collection, I've heard of some folks having a bad reaction to Ipe.

Coco and yew kick my butt...

Roy from Pa · January 26, 2022, 04:22:09 PM

Yup, IPE really tore me up.

Pointed_stick · January 26, 2022, 11:27:34 PM

Quote from: kennym on January 26, 2022, 01:34:32 PM
Use good dust collection, I've heard of some folks having a bad reaction to Ipe.

Coco and yew kick my butt...

Good tip, thank you. I use mostly old hand tools. Makes more shavings than dust which should be in my favor.

Pointed_stick · January 28, 2022, 12:20:01 PM

In the interest of saving the teeth on my better hand saws from needing sharpening again, I decided to try something. Turns out cutting Ipe to length with a hacksaw works perfect!

Longcruise · January 28, 2022, 02:21:12 PM

Hacksaw!! Yes, one of my main go-to tools.

Pointed_stick · February 01, 2022, 06:22:01 PM

Gluing up the riser section....Ipe so far is not gonna be my favorite wood to work with. Cuts better than expected. Does not plane well, which everything I read said it would. Same result working the grain from either direction.
[attachment=1,msg2990475]

Pointed_stick · February 04, 2022, 11:28:43 AM

Cutting limb tapers today. This Ipe stuff planes as nicely as described on the edge, but is still subject to some tear out if approached too aggressively. Takes on a super smooth finish. More progress to made tomorrow.

Mad Max · February 04, 2022, 02:59:40 PM

Is part of the Ipe the fades too?

Pointed_stick · February 04, 2022, 11:38:00 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on February 04, 2022, 02:59:40 PM
Is part of the Ipe the fades too?

Yes will be blended from the maple down into the Ipe

Mad Max · February 05, 2022, 08:38:15 AM

Pointed_stick · February 09, 2022, 01:00:11 PM

Bamboo flattened, rough shaped, and tillered with some pointers from a clay hayes bow build. Running out of time before work so that is gonna have to enough for 1 day.

Pointed_stick · February 11, 2022, 12:00:59 PM

Gluing on the backing, and adding about 1.5 inches of back set. No d-flex as I already have the riser in place. Space is limited here so had to glue and clamp outside then bring in. Trying a new epoxy. So far everything looks good. Nice squeeze out all the way around. Gonna give it 24 hours and pull them all off. I have made what I think are a couple rookie mistakes in this project, but nothing I think will ultimately cause me any major issues at the end. One of which was missing a small pin knot in the board. Overall, of the many woodworking projects I have involved myself with from pipe making, to boat building, bows are some of the most rewarding so far.
[attachment=1]

Pointed_stick · February 12, 2022, 02:58:08 PM

All the clamps are off. The glue up looks good. Fair amount of cleanup from epoxy running down to do. Maintained about 7/8" of back set after everything was released. All in all still on track.

Pointed_stick · February 20, 2022, 12:06:44 PM

String nocks cut in today getting ready for long string tillering. A little maple added to the belly side to reinforce the tips, you can see the small pin knot in the limb that made this decision for me.
[attachment=1]

Mad Max · February 20, 2022, 01:30:41 PM

How thick is that belly underlay?
You should make the fade end of the underlay at least 2" long. too steep of a angle

Pointed_stick · February 21, 2022, 08:10:05 AM

Quote from: Mad Max on February 20, 2022, 01:30:41 PM
How thick is that belly underlay?
You should make the fade end of the underlay at least 2" long. too steep of a angle

They are a hair under a 1/16 of in inch. I assume the fade you refer to is to prevent creating a hinge where the underlay ends? Thanks for the tip.

Mad Max · February 21, 2022, 08:39:14 AM