New bow build - been a while

Where to source materials etc. Also the place to show off your new bow or quiver etc.... Making things belongs in Traditional Crafts.

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Muz1970
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New bow build - been a while

#1 Post by Muz1970 » Wed Dec 27, 2017 7:55 pm

G'day, its been a while. Been wanting to build some new bows but for many reasons I never seem to get started. Well today I broke the drought. With a bow cooking in the oven at the moment. Had to revise my notes to remember a few things. The plan is to make a light weight one peice to get the hang of it again before making a couple of take downs. Steve was kind enough to give me some timbers to try while I was in Victoria early this year. Have made some Silver Wattle veneers and a Riser block and will hopefully glue it up on the weekend.

Pictures to follow.

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#2 Post by UPTHETOP » Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:33 pm

Is good to hear Muz, sometimes life can get away from us and different journeys to be had but old journeys are worth remembering for shore. Look forward to the pics.

Cheers Wayno
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Re: New bow build - been a while

#3 Post by Muz1970 » Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:15 pm

Totally agree Wayno.

Up early as usual and took the bow out of the oven for an inspection before heading of to work. So far so good.
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Worked on the bow for just under 2 hours this arvo. Marked out limbs with template and reduced on sander. Added limb tips and roughly shaped them, inspected veneers and glue lines and tillered. At the moment its 38#@28", (46#@31"). So fa so good :biggrin: Although the Jarrah veneers came out way darker than I wanted. The Riser is spotted Jarrah and Blackbutt.
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Cheers Muz

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#4 Post by flyonline » Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:13 am

Beautiful Muz! Looking forward to seeing some of the vic timbers in action. Have my eye out for some different ones for next year as well :wink:

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#5 Post by Muz1970 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:24 pm

G'day Steve, I'm looking forward to seeing them in a bow also. I don't think I'm going to be able to get over to Vic next year (spewing). Will have to be 2019.

Spent a few more hours on the bow this arvo and managed to get it finished with its first coat on.
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Looking forward to shooting it

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#6 Post by Gringa Bows » Sat Dec 30, 2017 8:39 am

love it mate

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#7 Post by flyonline » Sun Dec 31, 2017 4:08 pm

Muz1970 wrote:G'day Steve, I'm looking forward to seeing them in a bow also. I don't think I'm going to be able to get over to Vic next year (spewing). Will have to be 2019.
Ahh well, you can't win all the time. Will give me a bit more time to try and get some other timbers for you :wink:

Would particularly like to get hold of some more of that native cherry - not only is it a beautiful timber it has an affinity for the sambar as a preferred rub tree.

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#8 Post by Muz1970 » Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:13 pm

Don't worry I'd rather be heading your way and get back up into the mountains chasing those cagey deer than go overseas for a bloody wedding. I get it pretty good so can't complain to much. Maybe the next trip might have to be 4 weeks instead of 3.

The bow finished up at 35#@28" and is quiet fun to shoot. Its 43# at 31 and I'm enjoying shooting it bare fingers. Bit of a change from the heavier bows. Although I could do with some 500 spine arrows as the lightest I have are 400's.

Have glued up the next bow this arvo and is cooking at the moment. This one should be just over 50# at my draw. Its another one piece as I want to see how the veneers turn out. I was disappointed with the Jarrah veneers turning out so dark as it high lights all the flaws in the clear fiberglass. This bow has a Blue Gum veneer on the back and Marri veneers on the belly. The riser is a bit of everything. Some of Steves ornamental Cherry, plus Marri, with Tuart and Jarrah accents plus Sheoak and Mallabie. Haven't used the Marri before so looking forward to having a look tomorrow after I've shaped the limbs.
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Cheers Muz

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#9 Post by Muz1970 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 3:59 pm

Had a good run today, got the bow out of the oven this morning and got stuck into it.(Oven had been off since 10pm last night)
Marked the limbs out prior to gluing up and took extra care while wet in the form. Reduced them on the big boy sander and perfect.
I've only just discovered random orbital sanders and boy does it make life easy. Out of the oven and first coat on in five hours. That included a quick shoot like always, and it spits them out too. Veneers turned out good, prefer the Marri over the Blue Gum. Ornamental Cherry looks great thanks Steve.
Came in spot at 53#@31"(46#@28") and is 62" NTN as was the first one.
Will take some photos of the two bows when finished coating them.
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Cheers Muz

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#10 Post by flyonline » Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:10 pm

Beautiful Muz! Cherry has been used in furniture for ages and from what I remember it has a nice straight grain too. Looking forward to seeing the next iteration :wink:

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#11 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:41 pm

Nice work!

Jeff

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#12 Post by bigbob » Wed Jan 03, 2018 4:21 pm

great work on both bows! like 'em!
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Re: New bow build - been a while

#13 Post by Muz1970 » Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:30 pm

Cheers, just need to finish the coats off. Wasn't real motivated after work but did manage to cut up a slab of Marri, reducing it for veneers. Got a bit side tracked as I had to keep checking on the temp on my beer fridge.

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#14 Post by Outbackdad » Thu Jan 04, 2018 6:36 am

They are some nice looking bows.

Eddie

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#15 Post by TomMcDonald » Fri Jan 05, 2018 9:57 am

Lovely.
Tom

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Re: New bow build - been a while

#16 Post by perry » Fri Jan 05, 2018 3:42 pm

top work Mate, look forward to the range and hunting report's

regards Perry
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Re: New bow build - been a while

#17 Post by Muz1970 » Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:26 pm

Bows with a couple of coats on, will probably rub them both back and put the VHT on when it turns up. Will take some better photos when finished. Cheers Muz
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Re: New bow build - been a while

#18 Post by Muz1970 » Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:47 pm

Since remodelling the end of my shed (building man cave / bar) I've moved some of my gear around. Well yesterday I reconstructed my tiller board and accurately plotted the weight of the small bow. Here's the results, will get around to the 2nd bow in the near future.
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