Originally posted by Dry Bones
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Thanks Ben! There are some good looking bows in this thread. Sure is nice to see so many that enjoy making their own!
I was lucky last year and was gifted a Winged Elm stave from Bluegoose who had cut/split some on his property in ETx. I recently carved out a nice pyramid design that shoots really well. The mass weight of the bow is more than Osage, and the limbs had to be wider/thicker to achieve 46# of DW at 28", but the bow shoots really well!
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That is a fine looking bow Corey!
Rob, I agree, I didn't realize how many folks are making their own bows. It is pretty awesome.
I'll come clean with my motivation for the thread. I've been getting this itch to build a bow. I've read up on it and watched videos in the past, but I didn't have enough motivation at the time to pursue it beyond just idle curiosity. Well the itch got so bad that I couldn't really take it any longer and I went to home depot and picked up a red oak board (1 out of 50) and started on a board bow. Spent a couple hours on Saturday and Sunday roughing it out. Last night, I built my tillering tree. I don't have very high expectations for my first bow since I am doing this somewhat blind... but I am hoping to one day be able to build a nice selfbow out of a stave with osage, etc.
Would be cool to make my little girl her first wooden bow, my son a bow he can chase rabbits with, etc.
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Brother im gonna be honest...if you want a good chance of making a useable bow first time out....it would be better to find a nice osage stave and go at it...it is waaaay more forgiving than redoak...you can make a decent bow that has a better potential with osage...if ya need a stave ...might be able to help ya out....it might be quicker with a plank but you wont learn near as much for when you tackle bow #2 and believe me ...there will be a #2...lol
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Originally posted by 4dog View PostBrother im gonna be honest...if you want a good chance of making a useable bow first time out....it would be better to find a nice osage stave and go at it...it is waaaay more forgiving than redoak...you can make a decent bow that has a better potential with osage...if ya need a stave ...might be able to help ya out....it might be quicker with a plank but you wont learn near as much for when you tackle bow #2 and believe me ...there will be a #2...lol
What is different now is that I know it will most likely break, but I want to do it anyways. I'm kinda tired of just reading about making bows. Might sound crazy, but I reached a point where I was willing to run to the hardware store on a mission to fail.
But at least I am getting something out of it. I've enjoyed working with the wood. Shaping it into something that at least resembles a bow. I thought I might get frustrated with scraping so much instead of using a bandsaw... but I found it strangely rewarding. I built a tillering tree last night. That won't be a complete waste for the next times.
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I agree on the tools list. There are a few other things like a clear ruler, sand paper from 60 grit to at least 320. Two of my favorite tools are my Nicholson 49 & 50 rasps. Also....learning how to properly setup your cabinet scraper(s) is a big help.
Clay Hayes has three great first time bowyer videos on YT, and you can learn a lot about forms, tillering, and bandsaw use from Gary Davis' video "Rattlestick".
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You can also read the Traditional Boyers Bible. Clay Hayes is very informative. Also check out primitive archer. Com. Osage orange or " Bodark" is by far the best. They always say pacific yew but I don't believe it. Osage is a hard *** wood but it is more forgiving. Beginners are best suited to hickory so I'm told. I haven't used it. Bow making is more addictive than anything. Prepare for something to consume your thoughts all day every day. Best advice- go slow.
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