Longbow Build

[Todd_ID]

The limb tips are 2 layers of phenolic glued on with Goat Tuff glue, trimmed down with scroll saw, shaped with belt sander, and finally string groove filed in with a chainsaw file.  The first time I did the grooves I had the angle wrong, and the string wouldn't stay in the groove on the sides of the limbs.  I angled it down some, and now it works fine.

[jackmaster]

that looks great, looks like an awesome project for the winter, if you dont mind me asking can anyone by the materials from the guy you used and if so does he also have the stuff to build crossbows, i have always wanted to build a crossbow. thanks for any info

[Todd_ID]

Here's a pictorial example of how I messed up the string groove angle on the sides of the limb and how I changed it to make it work.

[Todd_ID]

that looks great, looks like an awesome project for the winter, if you dont mind me asking can anyone by the materials from the guy you used and if so does he also have the stuff to build crossbows, i have always wanted to build a crossbow. thanks for any info

I think the answer to both would be no.  I just bent his ear in a moment of weakness and he agreed to help me out.

[Todd_ID]

Just shot some different arrows over my chronograph to see how it did.

282 grain carbon 218 fps
422 grain carbon 196 fps
545 grain cedar   182 fps
591 grain carbon 176 fps

If I'm not mistaken those numbers are just about better than my first compound.

[ribka]

Those speeds are very impressive!

[staveshaver]

Hey Todd, that thing turned out really good, I'm impressed I sure would like to see some profile pict's at full draw....did any of those cedars that I sent seem to work for you?  I would guess that the light colored one with the trad. barrred cock feather should work real well...I think it is about a 70-72lb spine and prolly weighs about 350gr.

Just got the part for my band saw yesterday, so I'll be back in business building bows again. I have lams and risers ready for a pair of 60 lb T/D,-LB's....just need a little time to get em started.

Good luck, hope to see you hunting with that bow in Sept.

Tom

[Todd_ID]

I couldn't seem to get any of the cedars to fly too well.  I'll try again with them today.

[Todd_ID]

OK, found 2 cedars that I liked.  74# with 160 grain head and probably a 70# with 145 grain head.  Here's a picture of the drawn profile.

[staveshaver]

Ok Todd, the top limb is a little flat at mid limb.  I would first get that bending a bit more to match the bottom limb.  That will prolly get your tiller close....if it is still not 3/16 positive tiller after you get that flat spot out, then sand the entire top limb a little bit at a time till you get it spot on....be careful not to go too fast...sand a bit then exercise the limbs a bunch before taking any more.  Good luck bro.

[staveshaver]

Oh ya, I forgot...when you get the bow right and start tuning those cedars....try the cock feather in instead of out...that will give you a feather at 12:00, works real well with most bows.  Don't forget to get your wood grain turned properly before gluing on you nocks...

[rasbo]

very nice work there

[Todd_ID]

So I wasn't as satisfied with the final output as I wanted.  The tiller was a bit off, and the top limb wasn't bending like it should.  All my fault, so I came up with a solution.  I switched positions of the top and bottom limbs.  The writing is upside down now, and I need to reshape the limb to riser interface, but the tiller came out at 3/16" positive.  And, most importantly, it shoots WAY better now.  Thanks to staveshaver's texts with advice of the problems and agreeing with the solution!

Here's the picture of the drawn profile with the limbs switched:

[pianoman9701]

Nice job, what a beautiful thing to have made yourself.

[staveshaver]

That looks allot better....I'd be happy with that....