This is the last (well almost!) page in the series showing me making a sinew-backed flatbow. For the whole story, start at Day One in Stalking Tiller Live!
If you saw the last part of Day 3, you'll remember we were just to the point of trying to get the bow to bend closer to the handle. Here's where we were on the left and here's how far we've gone on the right. Keep in mind that the photo on the right has the bow drawn to 24". I'm pulling 50# at that length now. My target is 50# at 27". We've 3" to work with and still quite a bit of work to do. Are we gonna make it? Who knows now. We'll find out in a little bit.
Back from the vise after 3 more rounds with the scraper. We're now pulling 50# at 24.5". Starting to bend more at the handle.
We might just make it yet! Still keeping all available appendages
crossed :-)
(4:00 pm)
OK, it's a few days later and we've all had time to think this over. I took Jim in OR's advice and put about 50 arrows through the thing at 23". Here's the current profile rested (5 minutes after unbracing) and drawn to 21". It's pulling a little more weight at that length since resting all weekend so we'll work on it just a bit and I'm sure it will loosen up some. I won't draw it past 50# so we'll have to work at this length for now.
Still holding almost 2" of reflex after 5 minutes or so. It'll
hold better than an inch immediately after unbracing.
Here it is drawn to 21". The picture's not the greatest so keep that in mind. Also, the position has been reversed from previous photos. The upper limb is now on the left. Limbs are definitely out of whack...huh? We're a little hingy at the dip in the upper limb but not too bad. I'm likely done with that area. The lower limb needs work at the near handle area and right at mid limb. I'll do a little work there and then try to get us a better photo. (11:45 5/11/99)
Back again. Here's the bow after working the lower limb just a bit and pulling it a few times. She's loosened up and now pulls 50# at 23.5 inches. Here she is drawn to that length.
That lower limb is still too stiff. I'm real happy with the upper
limb though. String angle should be fine at final draw. Let's
get back to the vice! (12:00)
OK, here we are after a couple more rounds with the scraper. We've gotten some movement in that lower limb and we've lost some weight. She's almost at target now and we've got a little more work to do.
Well boys and girls, there comes a time in every project where you just have to say "GOOD ENOUGH". I'm there. I've never been much of a perfectionist and I don't yet expect perfect tiller from my bows. She's pulling right at target weight at 26". I'll lose a few pounds during shoot in and tiller is the best I've done on any bow so far. I'd rather have a slightly out of tiller bow that pulls the weight I need anyway. So here she is.
I don't think we have any damaging hinges although the one in the lower limb that we worked on earlier has definitely reared its ugly head (I knew it would) at the longer draw length. This has been so much fun. I really appreciate all the help you have given me. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Hopefully you all will see it at the Ozarks Selfbow Jamboree in July.
Now we have to think about the finish I'm going to use. I think I'm gonna try Dean Torges' aniline dye method and get something like his Sunburst pattern. I really love that look. I'm not sure how it will take on the sinew but it will be fun to find out. I'm positive I'm gonna use the Massey Epoxy Finish though as long as it's compatible with the aniline. I don't see why it wouldn't be.
The final consideration is a name. I was going to call this bow
Iktapi which is a Native American word for coyote but I don't think that
fits anymore. I'd like to figure something out that reflects the
help that all the Leatherwallers have given me. Suggestions are
heartily encouraged!
I couldn't quite leave well enough alone so I tinkered with tiller and tried some different hand and nock positions. I think I've done some good you decide by looking at the Final Home Stretch!
For questions, comments, or suggestions email me!
Take me to Days 2A and 3
Take me to Day 1
Take me to John's Bowyer Page