The DIY traditional bow thread.

[lucky33]

rasp, rasp, and yet more rasping to be done. Soon I will be ready to put a string on this bow and tiller the limbs. Its getting closer.......

[lucky33]

I got the limbs glassed, next ill inlay the stone arrowhead from carp sniper then on to tillering

[elk247]

Looking good. Its going to be awesome this september to see a picture of the bow and a deer together!

[lucky33]

Yes sir! I have high hopes for this season. I dont think there is anything finer in hunting, to craft your own weapon and take a big game animal with it. I know a few grouse might end up on the business end of my arrow too come september. 

[lucky33]

I have about 45 hours into this project at this point.

[Fl0und3rz]

Anybody care to share any suggestions on design information (lengths, draw weights, grip and rest design, etc.) and sourcing of staves and other materials? 

[lucky33]

Tree cutters... most are happy to have some wood hauled off, and in town there are lots of hardwood trees suitable for staves that get cut down. I am always looking. A phone call might be a start. 

[lucky33]

I guess I should explain how I laminated this bow. I havent bought anything to do this other than 3500 lb. epoxy. I used to build bulletproof panels for the military and in that time I learned much about laminations, epoxies, resins ect. What you see on the bow is just a buildup of glass mesh, i.e. drywall joint tape, and epoxy. there are 10 layers and there is little weight added. It also has not changed the flex of the bow. My wife helped me do this, layer epoxy, bed tape, repeat process. When I get a bit closer to being done I will paint it black and I have a friend who is quite the artist do something on the limbs. A deer scene maybe?  I know this bow will not split or crack now. I feel its.............''bulletproof'' 

[lucky33]

Anybody care to share any suggestions on design information (lengths, draw weights, grip and rest design, etc.) and sourcing of staves and other materials?

I just go with what feels right to me and looks good. Building this myself, I am able to for fit the handle to my hand, and adjust the rest, ect as I see fit. Truly customized.

[lucky33]

Heres some pics...will post more later. For being taken with an Iphone, most of the pics Ive posted suck. Sorry bout that 

[lucky33]

another....

[lucky33]

I didnt just want to see the head in the handle, I want to feel it too, so I didnt inlay it flush with the wood....Carpsniper did a tremendous job of knapping this head. It lays nicely in the handle, and looks great. 

[lucky33]

I got a string on her, and at this point its drawing at 87 lbs. The maple is some tough springy stuff. Ill keep rasping until I get to around 55 lbs.   I have about 59 hours into it at this point in time. 

[quadrafire]

What is the length, nock to nock?

[h20hunter]

That is looking great. The arrow head is sweet sweet sweet.