Coca Cola's Buildalong thread

[Coca Cola]

Ok I am planning on building a few bows in the next several months. I thought I would post them here. Give people an idea of what not to do . I am starting off with a 56" piece of hickory ( or so I am told). I have an osage core I am saving until I make a few more. I want to do Ipe but have to wait until a local shop starts to carry it and until when I can work outside.




Ok here is the piece of hickory I bought the other day. At least I was told it was hickory. The hardwood shop walked me to a pile of 1x2x 6,7,8's I asked him what he thought would be a strong piece with good grain. He just gave me a blank stare. I asked him a couple more questions he didnt answer. So I went with what I could find. Which was not alot. I dont even know if its hickory, Looks alot like my last piece of red oak.

I choose my boards payed for them and left. It cost me about 10$ for a 1x2x6 and a 1x2x8 ( havent actually mesured the longer board) On the way home the 1x2x6 cracked. That is why I have such a short board right now. The other board has quite a few knots in it. needless to say I will not be going back to that hardwood place.

Is there anyway I can definitavely tell its hickory. I asked for a hickory 1x2x6 and the guy led me to the pile of 1x2's it looks like my last red oak board ( maybe even darker) . If it helps identify the wood it STINKS, it smells terrible. Also is 56" too short for my DL of 27"? I thought I might to a relfex design with this board.

[BT]

Just a question....Have you ever considered just buying a stave?

[BT]

One more thing....when you finally get good enough.....could you make me something like this?

[BT]

cgi.ebay.com/HICKORY-bow-stave-staves-billits_W0QQitemZ180090879331QQihZ008QQcategoryZ20840QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Here is a very good one IMO but SMJ could tell you better than I as to it's true worth

[Coca Cola]

Hmm.. I have thought about cutting a log and making it into a bow. The property I hunt has a hickory/ash forest I am going to try ot camp there for a week in summer get things ready for hunting season. The thought of cutting a hickory tree has crossed my mind. We also have osage trees where I hunt.

When I am good enough to make a bow like that pigs will be flying, only after hell froze over. We will see though. I think making bows is something I will pursue for a long time. I wish I could help you out


Do you have any idea how that guy isnt falling out of the tree in the last picture?

[BT]

upthere said:

Do you have any idea how that guy isn't falling out of the tree in the last picture?

That's the big thing with big time traditional guys.

The idea is to use nothing while hunting pertaining to tree stands,ect..

The sneaky sake was the first traditionalist tree sling I believe but guys like this wouldn't use one if you threw a hundred of them in the back of their trucks ;D

He has the toe of his left foot under the tree limb while the other foot is on top of another.

Like a wrestling hold

The idea is to sit straddling the limb until the shot opportunity presents itself , then you swing down and shoot.

[michihunter]

Look at his left leg. Got it wrapped around one branch and the foot hooked to another.

[Coca Cola]

Risk life and limb just to say you did it 100% primate-ive? What a pun like monkeys in trees, primates . Get it? I am so hilairous.

I have to question their motives. I will keep my feet on the ground or in an evil high tech stand if I ever choose to hunt with one of my bows.


Anyway I just marked out the centerline and everything. Its straight as an arrow. Its about 55.5 inches long and 1.75 inches wide. That kinda suprised me my last one was 1.5 inches wide. Guess I am going to bring it down to 1.5 or even alittle narrower since I am aiming for a lower draw weight. I decided on about 40# for this one.

[smj]

His bow has an interesting "hinge" of sorts about mid limb on both limbs... I see some folks do things like that to bows, but I have yet to see where it makes a huge difference. I still prefer a good tillering job and as much energy storage as you can get in the limbs. Anybody have good insight on the dual-stage limb design? Usually I see this on glass bows... Of course, looking at the top picture this "hinge" is right where the limb thins... Maybe he thinned a bit much to quickly? (Had that happen on an early hickory bow of mine, made for great string follow!)The backing looks like snake skin with the sides sanded through to show the edge of the limb. I don't think that is all the hard to do... Hey Cedar - any comment?!!!

[smj]

upthere said:

The idea is to sit straddling the limb until the shot opportunity presents itself , then you swing down and shoot.

Yeah, I'd guess most of us would swing down and end up impaling ourselves the critters antlers!