Longbow Build along (Page 2) (Part 9-22)

[Rancid Crabtree]

So, enough waiting already. Time to glue this bow up. I promised a local grade school I would give them a few hours on Friday so I took the whole day off and worked on the bow in the afternoon.

I laid out everything I needed since the dry run a few days ago. Then I put both quart containers of the epoxy in a basin of hot water to warm them up a bit.




Next, I cleaned all the wood and glass surfaces and laid them in the order in which I would glue them.



1. is .050 clear glass

2. is .020 kingwood vernier

3. is .090 thick hard maple taper (two pieces glued together to make one long piece)

4 and 5.  is .065 thick hard maple taper (two pieces glued together to make one long piece)

6. is a piece of hard maple .060 parallel from the piece of wood my Dad cut. (two pieces glued together to make one long piece)

7. is .020 kingwood vernier

8. is .050 clear glass

Missing from the picture is the riser.


Fast forward to a completed glue up with the warmed epoxy. Due to the mess and the fact that I was working alone, I did not slip out of my sticky rubber gloves to take pictures along the way. What a slippery mess to work with. I used a combination of spring clamps and rubber inner tube strips to compress all the layers. I had more C-clamps at the center (on the riser) but I took them off once I realized that they stuck up higher than the sides of the box and the cover would not lay flat. So much for a complete dry run. I should have tried the lid of the box also. Oh well. live and learn.



Here is a close up of all the layers and all the extra glue that oozed out. I also learned that I used too much glue. I think I could have built two bows with what came out from between the seams. Once again. Live and learn. The gold colored layer on the top is a strip of aluminum that will help spread out the load from the clamps. I was the old track from a shower door that I cut into two strips for this project.



Here is the oven box doing it's job of keeping the bow at around 160F. I will unplug it before I go to bed and let it slowly cool down over night.

[Rancid Crabtree]

It was a day of ups and downs on the bow project. It took a solid hour to free the bow from the form. Removing the spring clamps was easy, The epoxy covered strips of inner tube proved to be a bit tougher. The form cleaned up easy because of all the tape I used to protect it.




The bow was a little tougher. The extra epoxy was everywhere and held bits of the inner tube captive.



To save on a mess in the shop (and because it was a nice day) I took the bow out to the back patio behind my shop. The breeze would blow all that nasty fiberglass dust away.



I learned that I need to place a layer of plastic wrap between the last layer of glass and the aluminum pressure strip. I didn't do that with this bow and needed to sand away the excess epoxy to free it from the bow. This also gave me my first look at the glue lines between the layers of wood.



after sanding both sides I could pry away the aluminum pressure strip.



Then I just had to peel away the tape to see how the Kingwood looked under the clear glass.



And the other limb.



and finally the back of the bow. Everything looked good.



Then I worked on the riser. there was a lot of epoxy to remove.



The risers looks good and so do the skive cuts that joined the strips of maple





I then made a line on each end of the limbs that was 34 niches from the center point of the bow. (68 inches overall length) I used a fine tooth hacksaw to cut the ends off.





Both ends measured the same thickness.



Then I used the washers to string the bow before I cut the string grooves.



Here is is strung but with a bow string that is too long so the brace height is only about 5 inches. I used the string from my longbow. It is the only string I have for that bow. (that is an important point that will be realized a bit later.



To check for limb twist, I wanted to look at more than just saw cuts at the ends of each limb so I took a carbon fiber shaft and taped it in place on each limb. I made sure they were at 90 degrees to the limb.



With the washers in the measured center of the limbs, there looks to be no twist in the limbs.



I marked the centerline of the bow along the entire length and used a strip of wood to mark a straight line for the limb taper toward the string nocks.





Just as I was marking the last line on the other limb, all hell broke loose, Something whacked me in the finger and the bow jumped up off the table. When I figured out what it was, I had to search high and low for both washers. The bow string (my only sting for my bow) had broke. My guess is that I left too sharp an edge on the inside of the groove and it cut through the string. Now I have no string for either bow. Time to scramble and locate a 64 inch string for my bow and a 63 inch string for the new bow.

[Rancid Crabtree]

Today was a better day. If there is such a thing as a good time for a string to break, I guess I am lucky. I have a lot of work to do before I need a string again.

I used my belt sander with a 50 grit belt to grind down the limbs to the lines I scribed. My lovely bride got a picture of me at work.





Next, I marked the location of the string grooves in the ends of the limbs.



Using a chainsaw file I made the beginnings of the string grooves. This will help me locate the tip overlays. when they are installed, I can finish the grooves.





For the overlays, I want to use Bloodwood and antler. The Bloodwood will match the accent strip in the riser and the antler is just something I wanted to try. I had a section of antler left over from a knife handle I made. I will use the longest tine as it has no pithy core. It is solid all the way through.



Using the belt sander, I created a flat spot on the antler that will run against the rip fence of my table saw. I am using a carbide tipped finish blade so I get less chipping and a smooth cut.





I made the strips about an 1/8th of an inch thick.



In order to get the best adhesion with the epoxy, I needed to rough up the shiny surface of the clear glass. I used a hacksaw blade as a scraper. I did the same to the bloodwood and the antler.



I used the same epoxy, I used for the rest of the bow build.





I used only one bulb under each tip and some of the left over insulation from the hot box. Not much I can do except make the tillering tree.

[Rancid Crabtree]

With the antler and Bloodwood overlays glued in place. I began shaping the tips. I still have the very first fiberglass longbow I ever owned as a kid. It is a 25 pound bow and I wanted to make the tips of the new bow look something like my old bow.





I sanded all the edges flush and continued the string grooves I had already started.



The rest really needs no explanation.



















The groove has to have enough room so the string does not kink at full draw. I used the good end of the broken string and approximated the string angle.







It's a slow process and I only finished one end tonight.

[Rancid Crabtree]

I've been a bit busy lately so time spent on the bow project has been short. I did get a replacement string from a very kind young man on a traditional archery site where I have been keeping this same blog. He sent not one but two strings for Josh's bow. I offered to pay him and he would hear nothing of it. Trad folks are really good people.

He even matched the colors of the riser.




Before I could use the new string, I needed to build a tillering tree to check the limbs for even bending. I had a section of treated 2x4 up in the rafters of my garage for a few years so I knew it was good and dry. I drilled a series of 3/4" diameter holes at a 15 degree angle in the edge of the 2x4. The holes are 2 1/2 inches deep. In those holes, I glued short sections of 3/4 inch wooden dowels. I then sanded them to round off any sharp edges.



And marked off the distances along the side.



This is the bow holding end of the tree. I use a piece of leather to protect the riser when I clamp the bow in place.



I attached a plywood base so it would stand by itself.



With the string grooves filed and the tillering tree finished, I strung the bow for the first time. and drew it back. It was a good feeling. I then put it in the tree and drew the bow to a few different lengths to see if the limbs were flexing equally. Here are the pics.







I can see some differences in the flex of the limbs. I will sand away certain areas to make the limbs act the same.

Lessons learned. I could have left out every other wooden peg. I really don't need one at every inch.

[Rancid Crabtree]

After a few days off to tend to some important issues, I got a chance to get back to the bow. I still needed to cut out the sight window and shape the grip. I drew the window onto the tape on both the back and belly of the bow. The window will be 1/8th inch less than center.



I used a hand saw and chisel to remove the wood.



And then sanded it to the lines.



I put a crown on the shelf.



To shape the grip I used a wood rasp and sanding blocks





It still is a bit thick and will need to be slimmed down a bit.







The end user is happy with the fit so far.

[Rancid Crabtree]

After stringing the bow and having Josh draw it a few times, I asked him how the grip felt. He didn't like the bump in the center of his palm so I sanded it down a bit more and did all the finish sanding of the rest of the grip. While I was hand sanding, I looked up to see 3 young gals heading up the driveway to visit. I stopped sanding and grabbed the camera.



They didn't hang around long after I told them what I was making. With the sanding done (320 grit) I masked off the riser leaving the bloodwood exposed. I cleaned it with denatured alcohol in preparation for sealing the oily bloodwood with super glue.



I squeezed a line of glue on the wood and worked it in with my index finger using a circular motion and made sure not to stop long enough to become fused to the bow.



The Super glue gives a nice shiny acrylic finish and seals and files the pores.



After a 20 min. dry time, I peeled the tape and used 320 and the 400 grit sandpaper (including the glass) to take of the shine and smooth out the glue. The bloodwood is now sealed and now will accept the finish and dry at the same rate as the rest of the woods in the riser.

[Rancid Crabtree]

In between running my oldest Son all over the place in preparation for tonight's Senior prom, I had a chance to work on the bow. I wanted to add a medal to the bow's riser and I used a hat/lapel pin that I got at the last Wisconsin Bowhunter's Annual convention. I am on the Board of Directors for the WBH and though it would be a nice touch.

I drilled a shallow holes for the medal so that it would sit below the surface of the riser.



It was a good fit.



I then masked off the riser and cut away the tape covering the hole. I used two layers of tape so that when I used a putty knife to level the epoxy, It would sit just higher than the riser and allow me material to sand away to make flush.



When the epoxy cured, I sanded it so the epoxy was level with the wood.





I kept on sanding until I had the whole bow smooth with 320 grit sandpaper.



I then cleaned the bow with a tack rag and then wiped it down with denatured alcohol. I masked off the glass because I want to finish the riser with tung oil.



I applied the Tung oil using the same "Brush" I used to apply the super glue to the bloodwood.



I rubbed in a healthy dose of the tung oil and after it cures, I will give it two more coats. I will then use 400 grit and steel wool to smooth out any lines and give it two more coats.

[Rancid Crabtree]

I have a lot of time in between coats of Tung oil so I am getting a head start on making some of the accessories Josh will need for the bow. The first thing he needs is a bow stringer.

I took an old bungee cord that I had removed the hooks from because I needed them for some other project and I cut off one end.



Then I trimmed off one side to create a flat surface. The flat is the surface that will contact the bow limb when being used. It took two cuts to get it where I wanted it.



The other end of the stringer will slip over the limb. This part, I made out of a piece of scrap leather.



I folded it in two and punched the stitching holes



Then sewed it using white, braided, waxed line.



Then I added a grommet for the rope to attach to.



Both ends were then connected using a strong nylon rope.





To use the string, On end is slipped over the lower limb tip.



And the rubber end is placed on the upper side of the other limb. The knot is tied far away from the rubber end to allow for clearance for the bow string to pass through.



I had Josh try it out on my old longbow since the Tung oil was still wet on his. One hand lifts the bow and the other hand slides the loop of the bow string into the string groove on the limb tip.



With the string finished, I moved on to a limb tip protector so that nice white antler limb tip won't become damaged when he sets the tip in the dirt.

I started with two thin pieces of suede leather and stitched them together to make a nice tight fit over the limb tip. I then cut a long slot in the back side for the bow string to pass through.



It is a tight fit and that will keep it from falling off.



I then trimmed away the extra leather around the outside and tried it with  the bow string in place.





I still need to make a string keeper, an arm guard, a finger tab and a case for the bow as well as a set of arrows.

[Rancid Crabtree]

Well with two Uncles dieing in two weeks and both funerals being out of town and over the weekends, I have not had much of a chance to get back to the bow. At least these long breaks have given each coat of finish a long dry time. I received the shafts in the mail so I can now start the arrows for the bow. In the mean time, I had a little time to make Josh an arm guard to go with the new bow.

I used 5 Oz. tooling leather for the face and 4 Oz. Buffalo for the backer.





I added a little tooling with his initials.



And made some antler buttons.



I used a dark red/brown stain and attached elastic/bungee material to hold in in place,

[Rancid Crabtree]

In the spirit of this homemade bow project, I wanted to make josh a finger tab to go with the arm guard. At some point I will need to make a quiver as well. I traced the shape of my homemade finger tab for Josh's and cut out 3 of them from some medium thickness scrap leather.




I then stacked the 3 and used brass rivets to hold them together.



I then began to focus on the arrows for Josh's new bow. I got the shafts from my friend Paul at Badger Arrow

http://www.badgerarrow.com/store/

I bought Gold Tip Traditionals because of the wood grain look. Paul at Badger arrow turned around my order in record time.



After capping the back 9 inches of the shafts with white lacquer, I started cresting the shafts using a color scheme that resembles the riser. I will write Josh's name on all the shafts.





The fletching will be 4 1/2 inch long LW barred turkey feathers. Since  nobody sells 4 1/2 feathers, I bought 5 inch parabolic cut and converted them to 4 1/2 shield cut.



Now the fletching begins.



One down, 11 more to go.

[Rancid Crabtree]

I'm in the home stretch now. The finish on the bow is now hardened. I have the first half dozen shafts fletched, I gave the bow a good rub down with OOOO steel wool to take off the shine and I made the rug rest and strike plate.

For the strike plate, I used 2-3 Oz. leather and for the rug, I used the fuzzy side of some adhesive backed Velcro strip I had laying around.



The leather was from some scrap I had so I needed to add some double sided tape to make it stay on the riser.

[Rancid Crabtree]

I spent a little time today adding a leather grip to the longbow. The finished wood was very slick and needed some texture. I started with a piece of 4 Oz. tooling leather and got it good and wet so I could form it to the shape of the grip. The wet leather is on the right. I gets much darker when you wet it.



While it's wet, it can be formed and shaped and stretched to fit the contour of the riser. Once I had it shaped, I used a blow dryer to dry it off.





So far during this build along, I have been pretty good about taking pictures of each step. Until now. I must be getting tired because I did a bunch of stamping and tooling on the leather but forgot to get pictures of the process. After stamping and cutting the leather to it's final size, I punched some lacing holes. I then applied a coat of rubber cement to both the inside of the leather and the bow's riser.



After lacing, I gave the leather a coat of Neats foot oil to restore the oils lost during the working of the leather and from blow drying. The oil makes the leather even darker. Now, you can see the tooling and stamping I forgot to take pictures of earlier.





Then I took it outside for a picture in natural light.

[Rancid Crabtree]

Well the bow project is finished with the exception of the quiver and and the fact that Josh wants to design and make his own broadheads. It was a fun project and I learned a lot of useful stuff for the next bow.













And finally he got to shot if for the first time.





I then shot the bow through a chorongraph using a 125 grain field point. This brought the total arrow mass to 425 grains. The speed at 28 inches of draw was 174 FPS. This will produce 28.5 Foot pounds of K.E. giving him even more reason to keep any shots on game at less than 20 yards and broadside. This will also be a design consideration when he starts to design the broadhead. All good lessons.

Now, as for naming the bow, We thought on it for some time and kept coming back to the first post where I explained the the bow was being made with a sort of legacy piece of wood. That name stuck. I explained to Josh that this bow is only to be handed down to one of his children. I hope I am around to see that.





It's been fun. THE END......... Or?