First Attempt - Maple Self Bow

[fc2038]

So what type of finish are you going to put on it?

[Snapshot]

Rasbo,
Any diameter from about 1-1/2" and up. Use the edge of a knife (or the back edge of your pruning saw) to scratch a little bark off the 'top' side of the vine maple BEFORE you cut it. This is the tension side; the side that grew strong holding the full weight of the top of the shrub. That must become the back of the bow (the side that faces away from the archer).

I think that in that early photograph, the look on Ray's face is one of pride.

[Ray]

I have just started today on another bow.

It's going to be a laminated Ipe and Bamboo longbow with back set. Left and right handed if it turns out right. The epoxy went on this morning and it is in the heat lamp right now with all the widgets.

[Slider]

Very Nice Job!!! er um Ray where are the Cams and Sights?............

[Kain]

My wife is gonna hate me cause I think I just found another hobby I have to try!  Very cool bow thanks for posting the progression.

After I find my piece of wood what kind of prep do I need to do.  Does it need to dry or can I start working it right away?

[Ray]

You should probably let it dry at least 4 months. You might want to remove the bark and seal the ends with some polyurethane based product of some sort just after cutting. Perhaps 6 months would be better than 4. There are at least 4 vine maple trees around my building. I have been eyeballing which one would make a good bow 

[whacker1]

There are at least 4 vine maple trees around my building. I have been eyeballing which one would make a good bow

Answer: all of them

[Ray]

Well they might. Depending on the length.

I would recommend looking for the piece which has the least amount of knots and straight as grain as possible (something which might not be obvious until you split it open). You might want to consider one which has a little bit of backset too. So that after tillering it comes out straight as possible or with a tiny bit of backset on the bow.

There is a neat forum for a lot of primitive bow building information http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php

[boneaddict]

So, do you epoxy the two woods together then carve? 

[Ray]

Not for this "self bow". It's made raw from a tree. The idea is a to pick as much of an ideal piece of wood/tree/billet as you can find. A single piece.

To work the raw wood/tree into a bow shaped outline like in the first photos you could use a band saw and or a draw knife. Once the outline is worked out I'd get a couple of cabinet scrapers, a rasp, and think about a spot where you can check the tiller on the wall or somewhere else. Working in a vice (homemade or not) would make it easier too.

The drying process might cause the wood to warp and or twist. I have heard of people placing their staves in vices before drying.

OOGA BOOGA Caveman. 

http://www.archerylibrary.com/books/pope/hunting-with-bow-and-arrow/chapter05_1.html

Before one ever fells a tree, he should weigh the moral right to do so. But yew trees are a gift from the gods, and grown only for bows.

[Snapshot]

There is an annual event for folks to gather and make selfbows.

http://www.tbwonline.org/Events%20Calendar/Flyers/WAJAM_09.jpg

The flyer is small; hold down the 'Ctrl' key and tap the '+' key to enlarge it. [Ctrl & ) will take it back to the original size].

[Ray]

Sounds like a great event SnapShot.

I found a whole plethora of vine maple trees which might make a good bow. When I get around to it again I should be able to select some good wood.

[Snapshot]

Now is a great time to cut vine maple because with all the sap flowing through the shrub, an hour or so after it is cut, the bark will peel almost like a banana. I split it full length before peeling it, starting on the end perpendicular to the back (remember the mention I made earlier about marking the back before cutting it). If it spirals while splitting I junk it. But if it splits down the pith and the split stays perpendicular to the back, then I peel off the bark, seal up the ends and clamp it to a strong back until it dries. It'll be a snappy stick once it has dried.