Longbow Build

[Todd_ID]

I decided to try getting into the traditional side of the archery world, and I wanted to do it by building my own longbow.  I bought a riser block and a set of limb blanks from Hornseeker as a starting point.  The riser is jarrah wood (I had to look it up) that Ernie assured me was a good wood for risers with nice grain, and the limbs have clear fiberglass on the front and back to see the wood grain of the Montana Juniper (correct me if I'm wrong Ernie).  The limbs started at about 67#, and it now sits just a hair under 60# at 28" after shaping and sanding the fiberglass.  I'm hoping to get it down to about 58# @ 28" with my final sanding.

What I started with:



Limb Tip phenolic glue up:



Cutting and gluing for thin fiberglass riser inlays:





Nock ready:



Braced profile:



Riser shaping:



More pictures to come (hopefully ending with an elk and a deer in the picture this fall)!

[PacificNWhunter]

Looks very cool, interesting to see the step by step proccess. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[quadrafire]

Very cool. Are you shaping with power tools or hand tools? Looks like a fun project.  I always have wondered if the riser cutouts re-gluing are for looks or do they actually make the riser stronger?? What do you think?
Nice project

[Todd_ID]

Very cool. Are you shaping with power tools or hand tools? Looks like a fun project.  I always have wondered if the riser cutouts re-gluing are for looks or do they actually make the riser stronger?? What do you think?
Nice project

I did the shaping that you see this far with my scroll saw, and the rest will be with belt sanders and wood rasps.  My take on the riser cutouts is primarily looks, but it would add strength too since both the epoxy and the fiberglass that get put in are stronger than the wood.  Hopefully Ernie could shed some light on this.

[quadrafire]

Did he make the string for you too? That is sweet

[staveshaver]

That's looking good so far Todd....looking forward to seeing it finished and shooting it in Sept those fiberglass lams in the riser will add strength but in this case not needed for anything but looks.  That bow should not end up bending through the riser.

If ya need any help with tiller, give me a holler....that will be the critical adjustment that determines how well your bow will perform.  If your gonna shoot that bow split fingers I would recommend 1/8-3/16 positive tiller on the top limb.

good luck

[Todd_ID]

Here's the last of the pictures until hunting season:

[bucklucky]

Nice job Todd, how does it shoot?

[carpsniperg2]

That looks great! Nice work!

[Todd_ID]

Nice job Todd, how does it shoot?

I think it shoots a lot better than I do.  I'm hoping to run into a traditional guy someday and have them try it, then maybe I can find out whether or not it's any good.

[BnB]

Todd, anytime you want to get together and shoot let me know. I shoot longbows and we could run over to Hellsgate to shoot or I have a buddy here in town with a good range. Good looking bow.

[Machias]

Great looking bow!!!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Great looking bow!!!
[/quote Boy that would be a good shoulder shooter ... I  am just messin man ......

[ribka]

Great looking bow

Have built a few bows but were not a nice looking as yours

Have not heard of those woods before.

 What did you use on the limb tips?

[Hornseeker]

Hey, Nice Job Todd! You whipped that thing right out!