Recurve Longbow project - General

No, the title is not a typo. It has the length of a longbow but is recurve-shaped. I'm a big fellow and I want a big bow :colbert: Just to ensure you that this won't be a totally shit thread, I've made some "guitar projects" (and posted them here) in the past, so I'm not a craftsman noob by any means, so this *probably* won't turn out as a giant piece of shit; hopefully not, anyways. This is my first bow project, I've wanted a bow for quite a long time so I figured I'd try to make one. It's still WIP, but the finished product is going to have laminated White Oak recurve limbs, a Black Walnut handle, and Tagua-Ivory tips. It's my first bow and I don't have too much know-how in the process, so here's hoping it turns out good. To-do list: - Cut laminant Oak strips: [B]Done[/B] - Make bow mold: [B]Done[/B] - Epoxy and mold the bow's form: [B]Done[/B] - Cut handle face and glue to the bow form: [B]Done[/B] - Shape the form on bandsaw: [B]Done[/B] - Carve the shaped form into a countoured and flexible bow shape: [B]Done[/B][B] (needs tweaking in the future[/B]) - Glue down ivory tips: [B]Done[/B] - File in the Nocks: [B]Done[/B] - Create/buy a bow string and strain-temper the form of the bow for use. [B]In progress[/B] - Apply finish: [B]In progress[/B] Here's some pictures, I will add more later on when more is complete. [URL="http://img222.imageshack.us/i/1002342y.jpg/"][IMG]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2897/1002342y.jpg[/IMG][/URL] between the epoxy and the laminate, I figured 5 pieces would do, anymore and there would be too much compression on the inner pieces. The mold slid about half an inch to the left, but it hasn't made much a difference in the shape of the form, so I didn't bother fixing it (the epoxy was setting, anyways) [URL="http://img222.imageshack.us/i/imag0028ur.jpg/"][IMG]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1443/imag0028ur.jpg[/IMG][/URL] After molding and shaping [IMG]http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3573/imag0049p.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/856/bow1g.jpg[/IMG]

This is pretty cool. I await it's finish.

How long do you have to keep it in the mold?

This epoxy sets in 24 hours. I may leave it for 2 days to cure fully. It needs to be heated for best results, so I may go about finding a way to do that.

What's the draw weight on this monster going to be?

Not sure yet. Don't know enough about bow making to judge accurately. The last bow I used had a draw weight of 75 pounds or so, so just by construction comparison, I think this may be over a hundred pounds.. how much over I don't know. It's 58 inches long and the limbs are going to be quite strong once the epoxy cures. I think I made the right choice going with white oak, seems a few bow-makers say it's near unbreakable when bending, so that should give it one hell of a draw strength.

Should be awesome when its finished, good luck

Epoxy has hardened so I took it out of the mold. The weather was crap today so I didnt really do any work on it. [U][URL="http://img219.imageshack.us/i/imag0029nx.jpg/"][IMG]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3130/imag0029nx.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/U] Will cut out the shape on the bandsaw and attach the handle pieces next day I work on it, will hopefully get a chance to start carving it, too.

This is awesome. I hope it works.

Same, looks like a cool project!

If this works out for you I think I might give it a shot as well. I have a 45 pound longbow that I've had for the last 10 years and have been looking for something with a bit more punch. I'm a snap shooter so a low weight longbow doesn't really suit me.

Aren't longbows better for anchored shooting?

The best way to shoot with a longbow, especially one with a heavy draw is by instinct. Just draw and release in one fluid motion while keeping your eye on the target. You don't actually look down the arrow as a sight, you just hold your arm straight and draw to your cheek the same way every time and let your brain to the rest of the work. I do this for two reasons, one being that a heavy draw will make you tired if you try and hold it for too long, the other being it gives my fingers a rest, even with gloves or tabs on the string bites into your fingers and it becomes very painful. Once you get used to your bow and know how your arrows fly it becomes second nature. I can shoot a dozen arrows accurately at a man sized target in about 30 seconds even out to 50 yards. I do so with no sights and only my hand as an arrow rest, it really just comes down to practice and knowing a few tricks of how the bow works. First is to stand square with your target, feet close together. This allows you to use your muscles to their fullest and remain steady. Second is to draw straight, careful not to twist the string as you draw. A twisted string can cause an arrow to veer left or right slightly as it leaves the bow. Third is to have a snappy release. If you release slow or relax your arm your arrow will fall short of the target. Fourth is to remain rigid until the arrow has left the bow. Like the last one, if you relax as you release the arrow can fall short, but you can also knock it around and the arrow will have to straighten out which usually leaves it pointing at a different spot than where you aimed.

[QUOTE=RR_Raptor65;28700333]The best way to shoot with a longbow, especially one with a heavy draw is by instinct. Just draw and release in one fluid motion while keeping your eye on the target. You don't actually look down the arrow as a sight, you just hold your arm straight and draw to your cheek the same way every time and let your brain to the rest of the work. I do this for two reasons, one being that a heavy draw will make you tired if you try and hold it for too long, the other being it gives my fingers a rest, even with gloves or tabs on the string bites into your fingers and it becomes very painful. Once you get used to your bow and know how your arrows fly it becomes second nature. I can shoot a dozen arrows accurately at a man sized target in about 30 seconds even out to 50 yards. I do so with no sights and only my hand as an arrow rest, it really just comes down to practice and knowing a few tricks of how the bow works. First is to stand square with your target, feet close together. This allows you to use your muscles to their fullest and remain steady. Second is to draw straight, careful not to twist the string as you draw. A twisted string can cause an arrow to veer left or right slightly as it leaves the bow. Third is to have a snappy release. If you release slow or relax your arm your arrow will fall short of the target. Fourth is to remain rigid until the arrow has left the bow. Like the last one, if you relax as you release the arrow can fall short, but you can also knock it around and the arrow will have to straighten out which usually leaves it pointing at a different spot than where you aimed.[/QUOTE] Thanks for the tips. Did learn a few of those a few years back, but I was using a smaller bow then. A bit of an update [URL="http://img193.imageshack.us/i/imag0040a.jpg/"][IMG]http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4792/imag0040a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Note that the handles (or the entire bow, for that matter) has not been carved into shape yet, this is still the "form" The walnut and oak shaft will be shaped down into a more ergonomic form, and the limbs will be thinned down. I'm going to drill through the handle semi-diagonally, and epoxy some dowel into it to make the handle piece ridged.

Most of the shaping was done today (sorry for the shit picture quality) [URL=http://img687.imageshack.us/i/imag0050o.jpg/][IMG]http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2122/imag0050o.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://img43.imageshack.us/i/imag0049p.jpg/][IMG]http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3573/imag0049p.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Couldn't really push it any farther than that, the tips were going to slip off of the table and chair :frown: [editline]21st March 2011[/editline] Here's a better shot of the shape. [URL=http://img716.imageshack.us/i/bow1g.jpg/][IMG]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/856/bow1g.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Awesome work! Also wasn't there someone here who smelted a sword or something?

[QUOTE=meepugh;28722534]Awesome work! Also wasn't there someone here who smelted a sword or something?[/QUOTE] This dude forges swords I think. [QUOTE=RR_Raptor65;28700333]The best way to shoot with a longbow, especially one with a heavy draw is by instinct. Just draw and release in one fluid motion while keeping your eye on the target. You don't actually look down the arrow as a sight, you just hold your arm straight and draw to your cheek the same way every time and let your brain to the rest of the work. I do this for two reasons, one being that a heavy draw will make you tired if you try and hold it for too long, the other being it gives my fingers a rest, even with gloves or tabs on the string bites into your fingers and it becomes very painful. Once you get used to your bow and know how your arrows fly it becomes second nature. I can shoot a dozen arrows accurately at a man sized target in about 30 seconds even out to 50 yards. I do so with no sights and only my hand as an arrow rest, it really just comes down to practice and knowing a few tricks of how the bow works. First is to stand square with your target, feet close together. This allows you to use your muscles to their fullest and remain steady. Second is to draw straight, careful not to twist the string as you draw. A twisted string can cause an arrow to veer left or right slightly as it leaves the bow. Third is to have a snappy release. If you release slow or relax your arm your arrow will fall short of the target. Fourth is to remain rigid until the arrow has left the bow. Like the last one, if you relax as you release the arrow can fall short, but you can also knock it around and the arrow will have to straighten out which usually leaves it pointing at a different spot than where you aimed.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, he does. [URL]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/639880-I-m-making-a-Khurkri?highlight=[/URL] I woudln't mind building an iron bloomery at some point, I've always wanted to try smelting and blacksmithing. Though thats a different form of metal work than what raptor does (I think) Working with sheet metal requires some badass tools :saddowns:

[QUOTE=hypno-toad;28733289]Yeah, he does. [URL]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/639880-I-m-making-a-Khurkri?highlight=[/URL] I woudln't mind building an iron bloomery at some point, I've always wanted to try smelting and blacksmithing. Though thats a different form of metal work than what raptor does (I think) Working with sheet metal requires some badass tools :saddowns:[/QUOTE] Gas forge. :arghfist::byodood:

I can't afford anything like that. I just need a bigass bellow (or an air compressor) and a lot of cinderblocks and mortar :v: Also, I'd probably need to build it in an inconspicuous location so I don't set my neighborhood on fire.

Glued and shaped the tagua-ivory tips, I also went out and bought a wrist gaurd and shooting gloves, also bought the string spools so I can make a bow string. The bow bends quite nicely, and should be ready for the nocks very soon; after the knocks comes the oil finish. I may try to find some of that "Tru Oil" at the local hunting store so I can get a glossy finish, if I can't find that I'll just use some Tung Oil or maybe some Shellac... though tung oil would probably be the best performance-wise. Anyways [URL="http://img815.imageshack.us/i/1002351t.jpg/"][IMG]http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/1598/1002351t.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

If you weren't working with such a high draw weight I'd call you a pansy for using a wrist guard. Slapping your arm is part of the experience of shooting a bow I feel. When I taught my friends they all did it. I warned them once, and then never again. I've done it a few times (especially when I start practicing with my compound for hunting season) but each time it's like "yeah I deserved that". It looks beautiful though. You should engrave your name into it or something.. that'd be kinda cool too. Maybe keep it for your kids if you have any.. pass it down.

Made a little makeshift tiller.. mainly just stress testing it. May need to thin it down on the backside of the limbs a bit more so I can get more draw from it. It's got a very large draw strength, but I'm going to need to have it bend a bit farther back. [URL="http://img705.imageshack.us/i/1002384q.jpg/"][IMG]http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/3209/1002384q.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://img268.imageshack.us/i/1002385e.jpg/][IMG]http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8411/1002385e.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Awesome, can we expect a video of it in use any time?

Once it's up and running I'll probably post a video of it in use. Will need to buy or make some arrows first, though.

I've been trying to get a crossbow project going for some time now, and I keep failing it up on getting started. Here are the plans I have: [url]http://weaponcollector.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-pistol-crossbow-full.html[/url]

Small update, been a few changes to the project. I need a bit more flexibility in the limbs so I thinned them down a bit more. Going to use deer leather and sinew to reinforce the limbs so I can get a lot more pull. The leather will be glued and laced tighly to the limb shafts to provide more draw strength without fear of the limbs snapping from compression. Got a bigass deer hide and cut out the strips that will be wrapped around the limbs. Will post some more significant progress tomorrow (if the weather is good) [URL=http://img8.imageshack.us/i/1002436s.jpg/][IMG]http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4050/1002436s.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Maybe you could coxcomb the limbs after you apply the sinew and leather. It binds everything VERY tightly and permanently. A [url=http://www.frayedknotarts.com/tutorials/coxcombing/halfmok.html]half-moku[/url] or [Url=http://www.frayedknotarts.com/tutorials/coxcombing/smary.html]St Mary's[/Url] would probably be a good pattern. I did a 3-strand ringbolt hitch with some waxed linen thread for sewing leather on my Longbow to use as a grip and have been extremely happy with it.

I had something like that in mind (tightly wrapping the limbs), but wasn't aware of any distinct method for doing it, thanks for the links. Might go for the saint mary's, looks like it would help make the limbs ridgid enough.

My dad used to hunt with a bow, good for you