Ozbow

IMG_1257.jpg IMG_1265.jpg IMG_1264.jpg IMG_1258.jpg IMG_1263.jpg Hi guys, well, Bow no.1 is getting near to conclusion. The twisted limbs are a bit of a drag, but I'm guessing the snaking grain on the limbs (pictured) might be the reason. Would this be right? I'm fairly happy with the tiller, but s...

Steve - yes the thickness of the limbs is consistent across their width. I didn't think about the thin-ness of the limbs being an issue, although now you mention it... The bow is currently 33lb@16" and I've nominally set 20lb @20" as my finishing weight, so hopefully I'm on track. My limbs...

IMG_1254.jpg Hi Guys, well as you can see, I have hit a bit of a problem. I think I still have the limbs moving fairly well and evenly, but what has been a mild twist in the right limb today developed into a doozy of a twist in both limbs. The twist only becomes apparent when the bow is under tensi...

Thanks for the advice Steve, and for that link. Think i need a 'gizmo' before i go any further...
Darren

IMG_1242.jpg Well 'duh' I hear you all saying - but in my bowyering infancy, this is cause for excitement! I'm really interested at this point in how some of the more experienced eyes out there are seeing the curvature of these limbs. I'm thinking the handle section needs to start working a bit mor...

trick of the light, Dave. Check the image from my preceding post for a more literal representation of the rawhide's colour. While you're here mate, what would you use to eventually seal the raw hide and hickory at the bow's completion?
Darren

P.S. I meant to add to the last post -By adding a backing, I do know that it's not technically a selfbow i am building here. I guess I was initially a bit lazy with my terminology. Apologies to the sticklers!!!
Darren

IMG_1210.jpg Hi everyone, well I think this is pretty much it as far as preparation this ex-pickhandle goes- time to get it bending like a bow! I was pretty happy with how the raw hide has cleaned up - a nice and smooth matte finish, and, Daryl - paper thin! So in theory at least, it's going to tak...

Thanks very much for the positive comments everyone! Like I said, if any of you other 'crafties' would like one, give us a hoy. I'm looking forward to exploring this technique a bit, as well as the decorative possibilities the toggles present. I kept all of the ivory veneers from the same piano the ...

IMG_1205.jpg Hi guys, I'm bringing the vibe back to more elementary 'Bowyery1a' matters for a tic - Rawhide backing! Thanks for the input everybody, I'm hearing some interesting and varied viewpoints - love it! I unwrapped my stave tonight and was pleased to find the gluing job from last night seem...

IMG_1204.jpg Hi everyone, well, somewhere under every heavy piece of steel i could grab at a moment's notice is a bandage wrapped wet dog-chew-rawhide-titebond-hickory bowlimb sandwich! That was a little stressful- I hope the results are worth it! The rawhide is tricky stuff in dog chew form - all ...

Steve, thanks for the drawknife-as-scraper tip! You also use a cabinet scraper - does this work differently/slower/faster to using the drawknife? Also, that is an interesting set up for tillering you use - i haven't seen that anywhere else. thanks for the input! Daryl, thanks for your reply. I saw a...

IMG_1203.jpg Hi everyone! Well, work proceeds at glacial speed on my first bow, but like a glacier, nothing is going to stop me (eventually) getting there! I finally got my stave onto the tiller tree today, although the attached photo is a little underwhelming I admit! What do people find is the be...

IMG_1189.jpg Hi everyone, just thought I'd post this - fairly pleased for my first attempt. The toggles are ebony, made from reclaimed piano keys. The tooling took all of a few hours in front of the TV on friday night (although I think the resultant noise may have spoilt the show my partner was wat...

IMG_1186.jpg IMG_1185.jpg Hi everyone, well, I didn't exactly get the marathon session in that I thought I would today, didn't even get to shoot any arrows - but I have a tidier backyard, a (fairly) organized shed, and still got to learn some things about building a bow that I did not know 24 hours...

IMG_1183.jpg Hi guys, it's been a frustrating week having to go to work each day when there has been bow building time going begging! I just noticed that you included a link to a tiller stick build along Dave, I plunged on by myself and knocked one up - should do the job i hope. Also went to a seco...

Hey guys, thanks very much for the replies. I was guessing the colour difference in the timber may have been sapwood/heartwood - would I make the sapwood (dark) layer the back of the bow? Thanks for the ballpark dimensions to use as my starting point Dave - I have transferred them onto the stave and...

Hi Everyone, I've been 'lurking' behind the scenes for a while now and admiring the sense of community and willingness to share information with the other 'newies' that gravitate so often to this very good forum. I've been shooting a bow for only a bit over a year now, and only regret not starting a...