The Beauty of Osage... Buildalong *finishing up tiller*

[wingnut]

Looks like Eric has a solution.  Don't just glue it and go on.  Remember it cracked when you went to put on a short string.  Not a lot of stress compared to drawing the bow.

I've patched a few and they are still going.  Although mine never turned out as pretty as Erics.


Mike

[Luke Vander Vennen]

ok, thanks Mike. I'm planning on putting on a longer handle, so hopefully that will help solve my hinge problem.

I'm going to be needing a lot of advice from here on in. Anything and everything is welcome. This patching thing is uncharted territory for me, so the waters might get a little rough.

[Tilbilly]

Luke, the second bow my dad made ( hick backed yellowheart) did the same thing. He cut the shelf on centre and allowed alot of stock on the other side of the handle. It cracked at the same stage as yours. He repaired it the way others suggested above, actually using floss wrap after gluing. That bow ended up around 60#@28". The latest editions are having the arrow rests glued on  

[Eric Krewson]

If you patch it, be sure to feather the ends of the patch to very thin so they can flex with the bow.

Don't know about using a different wood for the patch. If you have some green osage scraps you can dry it in a microwave in a few minutes. Don't turn the microwave on for more than a minute at a time as the wood will burn from the inside out if you don't check it real often.

Make sure your mom is not home if you use the microwave. They tend to frown on such use of technology.

[BillJ]

The microwave technique works great.  I've used it a lot when I'm turning bowls.  Too bad they don't make a microwave long enough to get a bow stave in!

Luke, I'm a novice at this bowyer stuff, so I can't offer you any advice.  But I do appreciate all your talent, and want you to know I learn things from every one of your posts.  Keep at it.  I'm really interested in how it finally turns out.

Bill J

[Ryan O'Sullivan]

it looks to me like Erics idea would work best, also maybe cut the handle off flush with the limbs and glue on a new handle section that covers your oops and remember its not a race take it slow and easy you can always take off more wood but its much more dificult to put it back. good luck.

[Luke Vander Vennen]

I didn't know about that microwave idea. Brilliant    . I'll keep you guys updated.

[Hunter John]

Luke thanks for taking us on your journey.You are doing great work and I am sure that baby will shoot.I imagine that some day we will see Vander Vennen Boyers Inc.Keep us posted.

John

[B.O.D.]

Luke, have you thought about making laminated bows, or glass backed bows? you like the look of a cut-in shelf right?
Maybe something along the lines of a Dryad for all wood, but I think you would do well making them. If you love the look why not follow it?

BD.

[Luke Vander Vennen]

that's a good thought Cary. I think laminated bows would probably be too big a commitment money wise for me right now, but I might try one of the composite bows like Mike makes. I'm certainly not in the poorhouse by any means, I just don't have the spare change to spring for lams, hot box, etc etc. Hmmmm. Maybe my next project  

[Cody Roiter]

Luke if i get some time I will make some wood
lams for you. I can make them for you for free.
aslo for a hot box you can used anything.
i will take pics of my hot box for you.
best to you.
CODY

[Luke Vander Vennen]

woah cool Cody, you have a pm

[Aeronut]

Here is a shot of my hot box.  I made it out of 1/2" foil backed foam insulation and used 3/4"X3/4" wood strips for a framework with a short piano hinge for the lid.  It is very light weight.  I can get up to 160 degrees with two 60 watt and two 100 watt bulbs.

I have some extra porcelin light sockets that I salvaged (I'm a pack rat) that I'll send ya for it if you'll pm me your mailing addy.

[Luke Vander Vennen]

thanks aeronut. You have a pm  

[Cody Roiter]

I made my hot box out of old doors.
that a nice hot box aeronut.
Cody

[shapeshifter]

luke, very nice!

[hunt4life]

ttt, can you save it?

[Josh_IOWA]

Luke, it can be done!  I think your slat ended up a bit too thin for what you tried to do.  When the limbs are stiff on a long string the handle is under MORE stress than it will be when you get the bow tillered out.  

I think one way you can make that bow unbacked is to strip off the old handle and put a 24"x1/4" piece on the belly and work it gently feathered.  Then you can glue a block on top of that.

[Luke Vander Vennen]

I think I can save it, but I haven't had much time to work on it lately. All I've been able to do is take off the handle. Been kinda busy here lately with exams.

What do you guys think. recurve or no? I'm thinking if I'm going to sinew it I might as well flip the tips. Love them curves  

[NorthShoreLB]

Keep it simple Luke,

things like cut shelfs recurves, will come with time.

don't run before you've cougth the ball.

however experimenting is fun        


but a working bow is more fun    


 Manny