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Thread: Newby bowyer

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Perth WA
    Posts
    1

    Default Newby bowyer

    Hello all,
    This is my first post having joined the Forum because every time I Googled something to do with woodwork I would land on the Forum with my problem already solved by a clever Australian woodworker. I am 73 and have ”done up” several old houses in the past including my current 110 year older in the Perth hills hence the all-consuming need to have a go at every job that the wife says should be done by an expert. Of course one accumulates lots of tools (toys).



    Being well and truly retired and having been an archery enthusiast for 25 years, my interest is now making Longbows.


    Making longbows presents a whole new range of challenges for the woodworker, such as, selecting various local and exotic timbers for the unique qualities required for bow making, cutting, tapering and thicknessing laminations to 2mm thick with a taper of .001” for every inch over 36”. Precise bandsaw work to shape the hand grip and then careful shaping with various hand tools, sanding and the final finishing with oils, lacquers etc.



    With some bows fibreglass rears its ugly head for added strength.


    Along the way one must tenderly use a hand scraper to remove just the right amount of wood to achieve a predetermined pulling weight for a given draw length, in my case 35lbs at 28”, then when all that is done you can draw the bow for the first time and it will go bang and you stand there with a handful of firewood.


    Such is the joy of woodworking.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
    Posts
    4,770

    Default

    Welcome to the forums Longy.
    That moment when the lamination lets go is good isn't it. I've had a couple of limbs disintegrate over the years.
    Feel free to post pics of some of your work.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    Hi and welcome to the site,
    There are a a few of us one here that make some bows now and then although I have not done one for a few years now. Have you tried the Ozbow site? They are mostly hunters but they have a forum on building you'r own gear.
    As for standing with the handfull of firewood that is all part of being a bowyer and part of the learning process. The feeling when it all works in the end is worth the let downs along the way. To win a few shooting comp medals with a bow you made is as good as archery gets.
    Keep us updated with the bow builds and any other woodwork you have going.
    Regards
    John

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Drawnalongbow View Post
    Hello all,
    This is my first post having joined the Forum because every time I Googled something to do with woodwork I would land on the Forum with my problem already solved by a clever Australian woodworker. I am 73 and have ”done up” several old houses in the past including my current 110 year older in the Perth hills hence the all-consuming need to have a go at every job that the wife says should be done by an expert. Of course one accumulates lots of tools (toys).



    Being well and truly retired and having been an archery enthusiast for 25 years, my interest is now making Longbows.


    Making longbows presents a whole new range of challenges for the woodworker, such as, selecting various local and exotic timbers for the unique qualities required for bow making, cutting, tapering and thicknessing laminations to 2mm thick with a taper of .001” for every inch over 36”. Precise bandsaw work to shape the hand grip and then careful shaping with various hand tools, sanding and the final finishing with oils, lacquers etc.



    With some bows fibreglass rears its ugly head for added strength.


    Along the way one must tenderly use a hand scraper to remove just the right amount of wood to achieve a predetermined pulling weight for a given draw length, in my case 35lbs at 28”, then when all that is done you can draw the bow for the first time and it will go bang and you stand there with a handful of firewood.


    Such is the joy of woodworking.
    Hi there! I'd love to see some examples of your hand made bows. I am also contacting you to let you know that I am selling the perfect timber for bow making. I have approx. 30 Osage Orange trees on my property in Victoria. My ad is in the 'Market Place' section of this website. Let me know if you are interested.

    Cheers, Lincoln

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