2025 Bow Swap Progress Thread

[Watsonjay]

Ok. Thanks

[Kirkll]

More thin lams will bend easier and arguments have been made that will also be stronger because a composite of laminations inherently strengthen the base material.  BUT there's the counter argument of more glue equals more weight which could dog down performance.   Another place where each bow design will probably optimize slightly different.

I think you will find that you will get better performance and stability to your limbs with more laminations. The spring back coming out of the form will be less too, which adds a bit of draw weight and increases performance. Those extra glue lines are not adding enough limb mass weight to be noticeable.

.02 cents worth   

[Watsonjay]

Thank you. That is definitely the way I will start next time when making a heavier bow.

[Watsonjay]

Should be gluing up tomorrow

[kennym]

I'm stalled out, out of Clear 1.5" glass and not looking good for this month.

I ordered 2 rolls of Bearpaw but it not here yet either.

I have a willow stick picked out...

[Noah70]

Pretty sure it would be a fine looking willow stick too, Kenny!!

On the subject of reporting - I also have little to report.  I changed direction from the initial riser and limbs I had planned - riser is fine but limbs not cooperating (unless victim starts going to the Gym ). So rather than experiment more, its back to what I have charts for.

Spring has come early here, so the annual bucket list (hers, not mine) was posted on the shop door a few days ago.  Oddly, Trad Bow Swap was not on it.

Limbs are Wenge/Olivewood veneer, edge grain Bamboo, and edge grain Yew heartwood.
Victim will have to put up with my last old chunk of Rosewood for riser.  Going slow!

[Jon Lipovac]

Looking good Noah! Sorry to hear your first go came in heavy.

My victims limbs came in heavy as well....Changed the recipe with a little experimenting and BOOM! Came in 12# over his max range. 

[dbeaver]

Ive been a ghost here while you guys are putting some serious efforts in.  Waiting on some materials and while I'm waiting I finally unpacked my shop since moving this summer.

Glued up one bow this past fall but working out of bins and tripping over piles of this and that got old.
Shop is ready for the action when glass gets in.

[Watsonjay]

Ive been a ghost here while you guys are putting some serious efforts in.  Waiting on some materials and while I'm waiting I finally unpacked my shop since moving this summer.

Glued up one bow this past fall but working out of bins and tripping over piles of this and that got old.
Shop is ready for the action when glass gets in.

Nice!  Wish I had a shop like that

[dbeaver]

Just put it up last year before moving in. Still not used to it.  I'm a lucky dude

[Watsonjay]

Haven't glued up yet, waiting on my mule tape to come in mail today. Question, I've always used spar urethane or auto paint in a spray can. I bought some thunderbird epoxy finish to try on this one. Any suggestions or recommendations?  I haven't used it or a spray gun before.

[Buemaker]

That is a good shop, look like you can have a 3D course in there.

[Longcruise]

I ordered 2 rolls of Bearpaw but it not here yet either.

Any thoughts on the qulaity you are expecting?

[Kirkll]

Ive been a ghost here while you guys are putting some serious efforts in.  Waiting on some materials and while I'm waiting I finally unpacked my shop since moving this summer.

Glued up one bow this past fall but working out of bins and tripping over piles of this and that got old.
Shop is ready for the action when glass gets in.

Wow... A naked shop!   You would be wise to think about insulating a portion of that baby and building a mezzanine and spray booth with 10' ceiling on one end so you can hang an arctic curtain in winter and heat a section... I think back when i had bare walls like that and sure wish id have given it more thought and insulated more of it.... I did my lowered ceiling height later on and regret i didn't do more insulation before i filled it with work benches and wood.  It wont take long to fill that baby up....    Congrats on the new shop!

[dbeaver]

I'm on that train Kirk, everything is modular and on wheels until I can get those features squared away.  Still need electric out here I'm running on the skeleton setup

[Noah70]

Wow! Nice shop!  If I had one that size, I could put the bandsaw in one corner, table saw in the diagonal corner, drum sander in the next corner and edge sander in the opposite, and bench in center.  I would probably put in about 2-3 miles a day, and never gain a pound! 

[kennym]

Had a couple minutes waiting on ups so did a bit to keep me out of trouble with swap boss so here's a pic 

[Burnsie]

Kenny - what kind of bandsaw is that?

[kennym]

It's a 17" Grizzly, been a good one so far, cut miles of laminations...

[Watsonjay]

It's a 17" Grizzly, been a good one so far, cut miles of laminations...

what do you use for saw blades?