10-23-2009, 08:10 AM
Hi. First post here. I started trying to make bows a couple of years ago. I've been spending more time on the craft over the last two months. Lots of broken wood over the course of time.
I just finished a nice bow from a piece of locust - 62" and about 45/50 lbs at 26".
So far it has held together.
I am in the midst of making a similar bow from a cherry wood board that I got from a friend. Nice grain. It is 66" from nock to nock and two inches wide for most of the limb length.
The picture is with a small camera and about as good as I can do w/o a wide angle lens. [img]![[Image: CherryFlatbow.jpg]](http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr287/PeteDoyle/CherryFlatbow.jpg)
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So far the limbs are bending evenly. Using the tillering stick and a scale, I have not been able - for fear of breaking the thing - to get close to my desired weight (I'd like to get 45/50 lbs at 28 inches).
I'm afraid that if I keep pressing, the bow will crack - though, so far it is even. I'm afraid that, if I take off more so as to make it bend more, I will weaken it.
Is this the bowyer's dilemma or is there a sensible and easy way?
Or....am I missing something. (have read through the Bowyer's Bible).
Pete
I just finished a nice bow from a piece of locust - 62" and about 45/50 lbs at 26".
So far it has held together.
I am in the midst of making a similar bow from a cherry wood board that I got from a friend. Nice grain. It is 66" from nock to nock and two inches wide for most of the limb length.
The picture is with a small camera and about as good as I can do w/o a wide angle lens. [img]
[/img]So far the limbs are bending evenly. Using the tillering stick and a scale, I have not been able - for fear of breaking the thing - to get close to my desired weight (I'd like to get 45/50 lbs at 28 inches).
I'm afraid that if I keep pressing, the bow will crack - though, so far it is even. I'm afraid that, if I take off more so as to make it bend more, I will weaken it.
Is this the bowyer's dilemma or is there a sensible and easy way?
Or....am I missing something. (have read through the Bowyer's Bible).
Pete