Project: Longbow GTR

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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rodlonq
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Location: Ingham NQ

Project: Longbow GTR

#1 Post by rodlonq » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:04 pm

No, not a racing model :biggrin: . My latest attempt to be a little unique is a straight laid longbow with the belly glass running through the riser (hence the GTR for "Glass Through Riser). It feels like a very stable and reliable way to use the belly glass that would otherwise be trimmed prior to lay-up and discarded. The riser wood is Burdekin Plum, the core is vertical bamboo flooring and the black accents are 1/16" phenolic. The bow is 70" NTN and is 47#@28". The owners draw length is about 31", or will be when he uses his own arrows. My arrows at 29" to back of point severely reduced his draw length. It was an extra challenge in the making as it is only the second bow I have left handed. It is a shame I didn't take photos of the limb tip overlays. The pieces of buffalo horn I used blended seamlessly with the black fibreglass. Thanks for looking.

Cheers... Rod
0 SLLB GTR InForm.jpg
0 SLLB GTR InForm.jpg (81.48 KiB) Viewed 3717 times
7 SLLB GTR Overlays.jpg
7 SLLB GTR Overlays.jpg (164.34 KiB) Viewed 3717 times
1 LukeRight.jpg
1 LukeRight.jpg (93.1 KiB) Viewed 3717 times
2 LukeLeft.jpg
2 LukeLeft.jpg (102.88 KiB) Viewed 3717 times
3 LukeBelly.jpg
3 LukeBelly.jpg (123.97 KiB) Viewed 3717 times
4 LukeBackRight.jpg
4 LukeBackRight.jpg (110.75 KiB) Viewed 3717 times
5LukeForehand.jpg
5LukeForehand.jpg (211.38 KiB) Viewed 3717 times

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Outbackdad
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#2 Post by Outbackdad » Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:16 pm

Looks good :clap:

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Stickbow Hunter
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#3 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:54 pm

Nice work there Rod.

Jeff

Sabinus
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#4 Post by Sabinus » Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:31 pm

G'day Rod,

Nice work mate!!

I'm building a D/R at the moment ( I've found you need a lot more bloody tools and equipment than for straight-laid!!:)) , and I've also chosen the 'GTR' :lol: layup.

The undulations and flats are kind of the other way round compared to your bow, but similarly I was attracted to the idea of the glass running uninterrupted through both back and belly. Also anticipating a slightly simpler glueup, with less parts sliding around and less tricky clamping around the riser/fade area. Here's mine so far. Timber is spotted gum, block made from 2 pieces of 19mm floorboard expoxyied and clamped :wink:
Screen Shot 2017-10-18 at 9.32.46 PM.jpg
Screen Shot 2017-10-18 at 9.32.46 PM.jpg (125.13 KiB) Viewed 3691 times
Jeez that's a nice work space you have there too! I notice your black glass is a matte kind of finish - can I ask how you have achieved that?

How has the bow shot so far for it's owner? Full draw looks lovely.

Darren

archerark
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#5 Post by archerark » Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:33 am

really nice work

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otis.drum
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#6 Post by otis.drum » Thu Oct 19, 2017 9:14 am

Very nice. I like the contrast of the dark glass on wood.
...otis...

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rodlonq
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#7 Post by rodlonq » Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:55 am

Thank you for your kind words gentlemen.

Darren, the idea to use this construction in a longbow came from a request to make a longbow but with a grip like my D/R bow has. It seems very natural and quite common in D/R design bows. I used a constant radius on the belly side of the riser so it is easy to match the belly overlay to it.

When used in the longbow form it gives a lot more options for finished riser shape than the traditional riser block.

I have the same bobbin sander as you :smile:
EDRLB.jpg
EDRLB.jpg (154.68 KiB) Viewed 3647 times
Cheers, Rod

Sabinus
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#8 Post by Sabinus » Sat Oct 21, 2017 10:38 am

.....Yes the 'GTR' (im using this term now!) approach to the straight laid riser really gives you a bit of latitude with grip variations - I really like it.....
I'm presuming the image of the hybrid bow is yours - that looks like a ripper, the braced profile looks fantastic. I'm not certain the reflex in my form is quite as great, but if I can produce something as nice as that I'll be thrilled.
Yep I've just acquired the bobbin sander, in combination with a little saw table I've rigged up with a cheap jigsaw it has really widened the possibilities of what I can build on my 'backyard bench'!

Darren

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rodlonq
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Re: Project: Longbow GTR

#9 Post by rodlonq » Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:33 am

Darren, yes the image is mine :biggrin: . I included some flats along the back of the bow to allow takedown limbs to be made from the same form. http://www.ozbow.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=16416.
Oh and the finish on the bow was high gloss and it came up quite shiny. I gave it a light rub down with 0000 steel wool after the finish cured.
Cheers, Rod

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