[High Desert Flipper]

Call it persistence pays? After a lot of effort I learned how to get a halfway respectable self bow made. Over the recent past I have been playing with more efficient limb shapes and heat treating the bellies. Along the way have added a few more "learning experiences" (failures) to the kindling pile, including three in the last two weeks.

But I think I am finally getting better with the more efficient limb shapes- less mass farther out on the limb, a couple inches of stiff non-bending lever at the tips. That and heat hardening the belly. Got one far enough along to take some test shots today and it did really well. Put about 35 shots through it including a few over the chronograph. With 9gpp arrows it was hitting 162-164 fps, which is a modest but solid step up from the other successful bows with regular limb tapers.

I also have some 1/8" hickory strips that just arrived. I think my next "learning experience" will be to try putting some reflex in while adding a hickory backing. I will probably go ahead and try it with this one since it came in a good bit under what I wanted for draw weight after correcting a few mistakes that I credit to impatience / acting before thinking things through all the way. This is currently pulling 34 lbs at my 26" draw length, I was going for ~45 but made a few errors while trying to get some twist out of the limbs and..... Will see if some backing and reflexing gets it back up around what I was hoping for.

I should also note the bow is sporting a really nice custom flemish twist string generously provided by Cromag! When the bow gets a little closer to final form I will add some of the fantastic yarn ball silencers he sent along too!

Nice to be back on a more productive track again after spending a bit of time on the learning curve.

 

[Tobor8Man]

Great to see your progress. Building a bow is nothing like building a slingshot frame.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

Great to see your progress. Building a bow is nothing like building a slingshot frame.

Yeah, absolutely. And after seeing all the skill, creativity, and quality craftsmanship in sling frames here, the bows seem easy. And I mean that in all seriousness. Will see if I get brave enough to try a sling frame someday.

 

[cromag]

Not hardly HDF , the "science" around bow making is light years above that of a frame. So much of the bow making comes from what you are experiencing , OJT , trial and error and raw innovation to get where you need to be. The frames made here are beautiful and a testament to true craftsmanship , making a serviceable bow from a stick requires a different combination of skill and knowledge. Being an archer as well , I always played with the idea of making my own but realized this late in the game the tires on this truck would probably go flat before the destination was reached.

BTW , 160s with 9gpp is doing very well. I have a custom type ASL at 47# that runs about there and probably has more hand shock than yours ,,,,,,,and its a glass lam bow.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

Well if trial and error counts (which I think it does, some at least) I am earning a bit. And having fun doing it!

 

[vince4242]

Great job, and the fun of it is why we do it. Cool to see someone making their own donuts take some skill.

 

[Reed Lukens]

Your time and effort on your bow making skills has sure been paying off Steve. That's some wonderful work filled with excellent craftsmanship :headbang: