Strange question

[umm!]

Hi guys just wondering how I go about determining my draw length?

I have done a little archery before many years ago but was pretty much just handed a bow
and told that will do for now.

I have always been interested in archery but was unable to afford any gear
or when I could there were no clubs in my area.

These days I could probably scrape together enough for a entry level bow but I really dislike the
look of the modern fiberglass things.

So I wish to make a board bow for starters which is another thing I have wanted to do for a long time
(I have had the TBB vol1 for 10+ years now and read it a number of times.)

Also I am of average strength is 40lb a reasonable weight to be aiming for.

I know this seems quite weird for me to be jumping right in the deep end with no real experience in the sport but this is
something I have been dreaming of for 20+ years.

Thanks for any and all help
Justin

[longbow steve]

Hi Umm, pretty hard to determine your draw length without a bow but if you can tell us your height and arm span we can guesstimate. You can limit your draw length somewhat from there.
You may be able to get Massaranduba flooring or decking at a Bunnings up your way which is a good timber apparently.
40# sounds quite reasonable for your first bow.
I was the same and jumped straight in at about the same age as you are now and 7 years on I feel pretty good about where I am at with my bow making but wouldn't swap the journey that it has given me for anything. Steve

[umm!]

Hi steve my height is 178cm
arm span finger tip to finger tip is approx. 184cm
(kinda hard to measure that by yourself)

Thanks for being supportive of my jumping right in
I was expecting to be told to go join a club and do some shooting first
(in a nice way of course as I have not seen a bad word uttered to anyone on this site)

Thanks again
Justin

[longbow steve]

Hi steve my height is 178cm
arm span finger tip to finger tip is approx. 184cm
(kinda hard to measure that by yourself)

Thanks for being supportive of my jumping right in
I was expecting to be told to go join a club and do some shooting first
(in a nice way of course as I have not seen a bad word uttered to anyone on this site)

Thanks again
Justin

I advise those who want to hunt to join a club and learn to shoot first but bow making you just have to do it so get on your bike to Bunnings .
Read in the Bowyers Bible you have about selecting a grain in a board. The other option is to get some Vertical bamboo flooring. I reckon once you get bitten by the bow making bug you are going to want to get your license .
Your draw length I would perhaps tiller your first bow to 28" and mark an arrow so you don't over draw and see whether that is comfortable. You could over build your first bow length wise to accommodate a longer draw option.
What tools have you got for bow making? Steve

[umm!]

I have:
a number of files and rasps
a few hand saws
a wood plane
a square and a marking guage
a cheap dremel knock off
chisels
a drill and some bits

plus an assortment of various other bits and pieces

thanks
Justin

[umm!]

Also I'm looking at doing something like the one in the link below which Dennis provides the schematic for.

http://www.ozbow.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=12641

is that a god design for a first bow?
From what I read it seems to be but would like to double check

Thanks
Justin

[longbow steve]

Dennis' schematic should be fine for you.
Get a card/cabinet scraper and a chainsaw file for nock grooves. Also google "tillering Gizmo" or go to Trad gang "Bowyers Bench" and there is a build along for one of them.
You will also need a way of holding the stave, you can use a vice with soft jaws or a clamp to clamp to a bench. Steve

[yeoman]

Yep. That schematic would make you a fine first bow.

I reckon you've got all the tools you need to get cracking on your first bow. I wrote a short article about what I think the bare essentials would be, and you seem to have pretty much all of it. You could probably cut string grooves with the dremel knock-off if you have the right bit. Practice on scrap first though, eh?

Here's the write-up:

http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... re-minimum

As has been said: a bit hard to guesstimate your draw length. I'd say make your first bow pretty long, and experiment.

Dave

[yeoman]

I just had a look at what a tillering gizmo is. I think that'd only be really useful in marking areas for wood removal if tillering a bow with perfectly circular tiller.

[umm!]

Thanks yeoman

So when you say make the bow longer should I then adjust all other lenghth measurements by the same percentage
when using the schematic?

Or should I just lengthen the outer section that tapers in width?

Or lengthen the section near the handle that is parallel?

Sorry just not sure how to go about lengthening the bow

Thanks
Justin

[yeoman]

For all the measurements from the string nocks, multiply the number given by 1.06. This will make the bow which is currently 66 inches long, to just a hair under 70 inches long, which is a very safe length to start with if you don't know your draw length.

What wood do you have access to?

[umm!]

I'm gonna go check out Bunnings tomorrow when I'm in town dropping kids off
hoping to find some spotted gum or massaranduba(not sure of spelling)

Also want to work out what species of trees I have here at home
as we have one that has a big chunk that has been broken off (from bad wind I think)
that looks to have a nice long straight section that might be useful.
And it has been down since we moved in which is just shy of 12 months ago and
the way it has fallen has kept most of the thicker part off the ground so should be well seasoned.
I'm considering cutting it and putting it in the shed and just having a go after I get a few successful
bows under my belt but would still like to know what it is.

Thanks
Justin