1st bow

**rebel** · 03-02-2010, 06:16 PM

I thought I'd try my hand at bow making. I've started with mahogany and backed it with oak. It's not osage or yew. That's the best I could do for wood from the local lumber yard. The grains were straight and clear. It's 1 1/2 inches wide and 72 inches long. A long bow. We'll see what happens. If nothing else it'll be good practice. I probably need a lucky rooster. Here are some pics:

**crashdive123** · 03-02-2010, 06:24 PM

Looking forward to see how it turns out. It's nice to have some very knowledgeable bowyers around to help guide you along the way.

**Ken** · 03-02-2010, 06:25 PM

Nice, Rebel! I see that bow's already right on Target.

**rebel** · 03-02-2010, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Looking forward to see how it turns out. It's nice to have some very knowledgeable bowyers around to help guide you along the way.

Yea , I went the other way. I just started and thought critiques of what I did wrong would work. Then it mimics my life.

**rebel** · 03-02-2010, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Ken

Nice, Rebel! I see that bow's already right on Target.

I see you're paying attention.

**Ken** · 03-02-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by rebel

I see you're paying attention.

Mistakes happen.

**hunter63** · 03-02-2010, 06:50 PM

Thanks for posting this project, will be watching the progress.
P.S. Rosters might help some people, but BW collect them, so far, not much luck on our end.
Not for the lack of Roosters mind you, she got LOTS.

**Ted** · 03-02-2010, 09:05 PM

Looks very good! Best of luck with it!

**canid** · 03-02-2010, 10:24 PM

ooh, nice. keep us posted.

**FVR** · 03-03-2010, 07:20 PM

Looking good, get some more pics up.

Motivate me to finish the one I have downstairs.

**rebel** · 03-03-2010, 09:45 PM

I thought I had a nice light weight bow. I had finished the rough sanding and had strung it to see where else I might need to sand. I tried to take some bend out and the mahogany couldn't take it.

**crashdive123** · 03-03-2010, 09:48 PM

Oh man - too bad. It really looked good.

**Rick** · 03-03-2010, 09:48 PM

Aw man. I'm sorry that happened. It kind of makes you sick to work on something like that and then find out you either did it wrong or it snaps. Wood has taught me some great lessons. Patience probably being at the top of the list.

**Ted** · 03-03-2010, 10:09 PM

Bummer! I've read up on making bows and they always mention "rubbing as much fat in the wood as it will take" And never pull the bow back till you do. Ibosserman told me he saw a guy making them once and he'd soak them in anti-freeze! I assuming for the same reason you rub fat into them.

You don't mention if you did this or not, if you did never mind. If you didn't, I would on the next one.

**Rick** · 03-03-2010, 10:10 PM

And if it breaks, forget Ted mentioned it.

**Ted** · 03-03-2010, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

And if it breaks, forget Ted mentioned it.

And if it doesn't please remember I did!

**rebel** · 03-03-2010, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Ted

"rubbing as much fat in the wood as it will take"

I had a good time making it. I'll learn from this one and try another.

**rebel** · 03-03-2010, 11:09 PM

I was able to salvage the oak backing buy cutting off the mahogany. That's cool. I think I'll just forget the mahogany and glue on another piece of oak. We'll see???