Hi Jeff
I'm near Bunbury, south of Perth.
I used Red Oak from Masters for my Bow. I managed to find a couple of pieces with grain running straight down the sides of the full length. 19mm x 42mm x 1800.
Worked very nicely. The risers are Jarrah. I've done some decorative carvings here and there on the risers and belly side of the leaf springs (limbs?).
I'm 178cm tall. I made the flatbow at 172cm long with 167 between the nocks.
I'm not 100% clear on where the draw length is measured; From the back or from the nearest point of the belly? For reach it makes sense that it would be the nearest part of the belly. For arrow sizing the back would be most relevant. Hmm.
Anyway on my tillering stick it's pulling 22kg at 29" from the belly. I need to get a fishing scale. At the moment I'm hanging weights off the string.
I expect as the timber relaxes into it's new job that weight will drop a little. I'm a beefy strong guy but I need to build up the drawing muscles. I was wavering a bit holding the draw for 30 seconds. Trying to keep it on a mark.
As a swordmaker I was pleasantly surprised to see how much of my craft carried over to the flatbow.
The principles of the leaf spring are very much like sword blades - seeking a constant degree of flex through the spring considering Profile and Distal taper.
And the technique of stock removal I did much the same as my scabbards. Using my 72x2" beltgrinder with a flat platen and tool rest set square. I was able to produce limbs which were dead square so no twisting - my makeshift nylon string sights straight down the centre.
I've stocked up on White Oak, plus one stave of Ash and one stave of Cherry, from Carbatec which are sadly running out their exotic wood stock now. At least we have Masters for Red Oak.
I will try the stacked longbow design next at 183cm o/all.
Great fun. I haven't even shot a bow since highschool PE. I look forward to getting into it. I have the land if I can clear a shooting range from horses. Going to buy some arrows now...
