Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

How to make a Bow, a String or a Set of Arrows. Making equipment & tools for use in Traditional Archery and Bowhunting.

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Stuart
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Location: Moonie, Queensland

Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#1 Post by Stuart » Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:49 pm

I am 17 year old who has a compound bow which I have been using for a year now. But now that I have finished high school, I found that I have some time on my hands. I have always wanted to build my own bow and now I finally have time to. I have been searching the Internet but am a little confused. Most of the sites I have been on are American or they just explain how to make a bow in words, most of which just confuse me. I live on a farm in central Queensland, and my Dad was a cabinet maker. So I have plenty of wood working tools and I know how to use them. I would love to be able to hunt with my own hand made bow. Basically, I need help. Where do I start? What type of bow do I make? Which one is the easiest? What timber do I use? Can I download a blueprint for a design? etc. I would rather not make a bow on my first go that involves fibreglass mainly because of the cost and the added complication. Can someone point me in the right direction please?

Thank you for any help,
Stuart

matt61
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Location: melbourne

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#2 Post by matt61 » Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:14 pm

Hi Stuart
I suggest you get yourself volume two of the Traditional Bowyers Bible which I have a copy of, as it has a lot of different bow makers in it showing how and what to do with making a trad bow and how to make flemish strings as well.
cheers
Matt

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Stickbow Hunter
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Location: Maryborough Queensland

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#3 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:29 pm

Welcome to the site Stuart. Do a search for self bows and bow build-a-longs and you should find out some useful threads. Check out the Resources section as there is info in there on making bows and what Aussie woods are suitable for making bows etc.

Jeff

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Gringa Bows
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Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#4 Post by Gringa Bows » Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:33 pm

Welcome to the site Stuart.

dawallace45
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Location: Miriam Vale Queensland Australia

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#5 Post by dawallace45 » Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:15 pm

G'day Stuart

Where abouts in central Qld are you ?

There may be one of us near by who can help you in person , that is a whole lot easier than trying to explain building a bow in words

David

Stuart
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Location: Moonie, Queensland

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#6 Post by Stuart » Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:22 am

I live near Moonie, about two and a half hours west of Toowoomba. At the moment, I am just browsing this website, but if any of you have any specific links to pages or outside web pages that could help me specifically, I would greatly appreciate it.

dawallace45
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Location: Miriam Vale Queensland Australia

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#7 Post by dawallace45 » Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:50 am

Stuart

I'm probably a bit far from you to help in person [ just south of Gladstone ] but some one closer may chime in

As Matt stated the Traditional Bowers bible is a good place to start as are some of the web pages with detailed build a longs

http://peteward.com/bow.building.htm

http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

http://poorfolkbows.com/links.htm

David

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Gringa Bows
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Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#8 Post by Gringa Bows » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:47 am

Ahhh Moonie ,one of my favourite hunting spots areas :D

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Nephew
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Location: Coochiemudlo Island,Moreton Bay, Qld.

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#9 Post by Nephew » Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:29 am

Welcome to the site, Stuart. Just go here and find tons of what you're looking for- http://www.ozbow.net/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=33
Here's a good'n- http://www.ozbow.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.p ... uild+along
Lately, if life were treating me any better, I'd be suspicious of it's motives!

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kimall
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Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#10 Post by kimall » Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:53 am

I live in Toowoomba mate and have made a bow or 2 we could catch up one day and make some swarf if you want.I am no expert but do have the shed and tools for the job.
Cheers KIM

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Nephew
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Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#11 Post by Nephew » Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:56 am

kimall wrote:I am no expert
Cheers KIM
Stuart, Kim is being too modest here...I suggest you do a search and check out some of the fantastic bows he has made. You could do a lot worse than to learn from this bloke. :)
Lately, if life were treating me any better, I'd be suspicious of it's motives!

Stuart
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Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:32 pm
Location: Moonie, Queensland

Re: Archery Enthusiast. Bowmaking Newbie.

#12 Post by Stuart » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:11 pm

Kim, I will definately stay in contact. If I'm coming up to Toowoomba for a few days, I will see if I can pop in even if it is to just see part of the process.

Also, another question, I have just looked at the Yeoman's wood comparison chart, and I was wondering if someone could explain what ADD, MoR and MoE all stand for and how they affect the bow-making process?

Thanks everyone for your help so far, it is really appreciated.

Stuart

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