Ozbow

Well yesterday started with the intention of making a recurve bow, I started cutting up a slab of Marri which was given to me by a mate. He actually gave me a trailer load of them. White ants had started to get into the bottom of the stack and most have bad splits in places. He told me if I can't salvage any just burn them. Well I cut up this particular slab only to find some very nice features. And after a bit of reduction I was able to get a great set of ruff sawn veneers from it.

My pile of Marri slabs Whats left after removing the center The feature Marri timber So rather than putting these into a recurve form that I haven't yet used I decided to go ahead and make a take down longbow. I've been wanting to build one at around 55lbs since getting into backpack hunting. Want something that is legal to hunt Sambar with in Victoria but is lighter than my 70lb take down of the same design. I plan on getting an Eberlestock F1 Mainframe pack with the dry bag and want the ability of sandwiching the bow between the pack and dry bag. So I glued up a riser block yesterday using the Marri with a Banksia strip through the middle. I added Jarrah and Rock Sheoak accents to the strip. Today I sliced the block and added the fiberglass I Beams which is now glued and clamped.
The dark grain should reveal itself once the window and shelf is cut in. Also added a Blue Gum packer into the pile, this will no be seen but was required to get the width to 38mm. Well I'll go and cut the bamboo laminations this arvo, sand them down to 2.5mm and taper at 0.003. I'll also sand the veneers down to 0.5mm so hopefully I'll be ready to glue it all up tomorrow after I shape the riser.

Mate those lamination's look great Muz reminding me grain like the sassafras they should come up really good when its all done. Great combination in the riser as well keep taking photos love your work.The Eberl/ packs are a great kit Muz especially when you want to cart some meat out.

Cheers Wayno

Managed to get the bow in the oven yesterday after struggling with it for most of the day. It was one of those days when everything was going wrong, the simplest of things took twice as long. Anyway I got there in the end. I did manage to end up with a 16 3/4" riser instead of 18". To compensate and come in on weight I'll be making this bow at 60".

Sneak peak at one of the belly veneers, I'm liking it Dragged out the takedown jig Managed to shape the grip ready for further reduction for the fiberglass before cutting the bow in half. Had to get a few another jobs around home done this arvo so only managed an hour on it.

Fiberglassed the socket yesterday and today I've worked on the riser and limbs. After tillering and adjusting the top limb she has come in at 54#@31". Just needs a fine sand now so shouldn't drop much in poundage. Very happy with the Marri veneers

Nice recurve and beautiful work Muzz. I love the look of those veneers. It should come really nice with a finish on it.

Jeff

Phoarrr!!!! About one of the nicest builds I've seen, love those veneers! Assume it's a big jim style handle like the one you showed me?

But I forgot to give you my address

Very nice Muz did you decide what finish you are going to coat it with. Cant wait to see what the lams look like.

Cheers Wayno

You have done a terrific job, Muzz! Very nice work, congratulations.

Thanks guys,

Yes Steve, its the Big Jim method the same as the bow I showed you. No need for postal address as I run an interstate delivery service. My runs coincides with my Sambar trips by chance. But unfortunately you can't have this one. But there's 18 months before my next trip over.
You may well get lucky. RH 50+#@28" sounds about right hey

Wayno, the VHT matte clear turned up today. So I've sanded it back to 240 grit and applied 3-4 light coats. Waited an hour and it was dry and harder than expected. Rubbed it back with 600 wet and dry. Felt super smooth. Went to write details on her and the Gel pen wouldn't write on it. Messed around with other pens I had and wasn't happy with them. Left the details for Ron. Have just applied another 3-4 light coats. Reckon I've used 2/3rds of the can so far. Be happy with a can per bow. $21 delivered to mail box.

Cheers Muz

Muz1970 wrote:No need for postal address as I run an interstate delivery service. My runs coincides with my Sambar trips by chance. But unfortunately you can't have this one. But there's 18 months before my next trip over.
You may well get lucky. RH 50+#@28" sounds about right hey

Gives me enough time to save the 5 figure price tag it's worth

Could you do a clear decal with handwriting underneath the last few coats?

Managed to get the grip on the bow today and the striker plates. Still using one of the strings for the 62" bows. So will endeavour to make a shorter string in the morning and hopefully take it out for a whistle tomorrow arvo.

Very happy with the VHT, its easy to use and extremley hard. Probably need more than one can per bow. One thing I did discover is that after 24 hours acetone still eats at it. Can does say that it takes a week to completely cure. Gave the striker plate area a quick sand and a light coat of accetone before aralditing the leather on. Noticed the finish starting to lift. Wont be doing that again.

BigBob was kind enough to tell me that he writes on the limb before any coats with no hassles. Another learning curve. That'll learn me for being so impatient.

Thinking of trying DIY temporary tattoo's after some light coats. have downloaded a graphics editor and playing around with some ideas.
You can buy the correct paper and adhesive and use your home printer. Then just apply to the limb like you would to a person. Reckon you could then coat over the top with no dramas. Worth a play at the very least.

Anyway the bow is shooting great. Been shooting it without a glove so my fingers are now a bit sore. It's final weight is 51#@31" and shoots a 480gn arrow at 175fps (9.4gn/"). The arrows bareshaft spot on so very pleased with that. 32" Goldtips 5575 with ally insert, 150gn point and 3x4" feathers.

The Banksia came up real nice as did the Marri veneers

It came up beautiful; very nice work.

Jeff

Very nice looking bow

Thanks for sharing the build

beatiful bow mate,the Marri looks very simuler to timber i have here that i call wilga

SERIOUSLY BEAUTIFUL!

That sums up what you have made there Muzz. Well done.



Cheers
Troy

I am never comfortable following everyone else with comments along the lines of - bloody top effort, nice, seriously good etc but hey, they're right Muz

regards Perry

Thanks for positive comments Perry. Been sourcing a few different local timbers I'm keen to try so hopefully I can create some more appealing bows. Just need to sort my shed out. To many projects on the go.....